As Sengakuji Temple prepares to mark on Sunday the legendary revenge taken by the Ako Roshi (47 ronin), priests are up in arms over the construction of an imposing eight-story apartment block next to its entrance.

The building will damage the historic Tokyo site's appearance, they argue. It is where the ronin, who famously avenged their unfairly punished master, are buried. Lord Asano Takuminokami, the master, is also buried there.

A Tokyo-based real estate agency unveiled plans to construct the building in July. The condominium will occupy a 400-sq.-meter plot and will stand 24 meters tall. If completed, it will overshadow the renowned graves.