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The last samurai plot social review
The last samurai plot social review
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Directed by Edward Zwick, The Last Samurai illustrates the story of a former veteran of the American Civil War who finds inner peace at the center of Japan’s tumultuous struggle towards modernism. Nathan Algren, played by Tom Cruise, is plagued by his memories of his time on the American frontier, massacring Native Americans on the orders of his superiors. Having turned to drinking to alleviate his problems, Nathan is hired by his former commander, Colonel Bagley, and a Japanese businessman, Mr. Omura, to train Japanese recruits in use of modern firearms and army formations to combat the rebellious samurai holding out against the Emperor’s wishes. Katsumoto, a former loyal adviser to the Emperor, refuses to surrender to what he sees as the …show more content…
Algren, who is “an embittered Civil War hero disillusioned by the killing he has seen and in which he himself has participated in” (James), relies heavily on drinking to alleviate the nightmares he suffers; thus beginning the journey that The Last Samurai wishes for its viewers to embark upon, a journey of self-discovery and cultural identities. Tom Cruise’s character “exchanges his [Western clothing] for a clean, simple Japanese robe, and for the first time comprehends the elegant humility of padding barefoot in a spotless house” (James); a transition that plays on traditional Japanese values of family and simplicity. Algren’s time in the home of the man he killed during his capture reflects the stark contrast between modernized homes and the elegance simplicity of traditional Japanese homes; a peaceful village nestled in a scenic valley that lacks modernizing features paints the image of a people in tune with nature as evident through “the meticulous care that they [the villagers] put forth in landscaping and gardening” (Japan: Values, Proverbs, and …show more content…
Katsumoto, who sees his rebellion in service for the Emperor, has pledged his life to defending the dying code of the samurai; “out of loyalty to the tradition the emperor represents, he would sacrifice his life in an instant…if the emperor requested it” (Ebert). That the emperor has not requested Katsumoto to commit the ritual suicide known as seppuku tells of his split views on the modernizers and the traditionalists; perhaps reflecting The Last Samurai’s message of trying to reconcile both modernism and tradition to create a new cultural identity, one that Nathan Algren has achieved by the end of the film. While Katsumoto himself does not achieve this, dying by his own hand as samurai tradition dictates, he initiates the catalyst for Algren’s renewal of identity and purpose; he ‘recognizes in Algren something of the warrior stuff” and holds “philosophical conversations with [Algren] about the ethnics of war and warriors” (Schickel). These styles of conversations between Algren and Katsumoto, alongside with scenic views of the nature surrounding the village and temple, “breaks the convention that the Western hero is always superior to the local culture” (Ebert); Algren finds himself impressed and respectful of the cultural heritage that Katsumoto imparts with him,
Men must face hardships. Men must face disease. Men must face each other [Parallel]. Men constantly pressure one another into perfection. Some men, however, crumble under the burden looming over their heads [FoS]. When some men cannot face themselves or those around them any longer, they choose a dangerous and deadly escape. They would rather commit suicide than face their hardships. In the japanese culture, society encouraged seppuku to end a life before a man brought dishonor to his family. In a world full of yearning for honor, young men learned that they must express courage through suicide to fulfill their honorable ancestors’ wishes. Gail Tsukiyama uses her novel The Samurai’s Garden to prove that only
Much of what is considered modern Japan has been fundamentally shaped by its involvement in various wars throughout history. In particular, the events of World War II led to radical changes in Japanese society, both politically and socially. While much focus has been placed on the broad, overarching impacts of war on Japan, it is through careful inspection of literature and art that we can understand war’s impact on the lives of everyday people. The Go Masters, the first collaborative film between China and Japan post-WWII, and “Turtleback Tombs,” a short story by Okinawan author Oshiro Tatsuhiro, both give insight to how war can fundamentally change how a place is perceived, on both an abstract and concrete level.
In The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama, a young man is thrown from his established world, left in a new, confusing realm that holds more than meets the eye. In the midst of a violent and ferocious war between the Chinese and Japanese in mid 1937, this young man, Stephen, contracts tuberculosis, and is sent to his family’s summer house in Japan. There he meets the house’s caretaker, Matsu, a simple and reserved man who holds back all but the most necessary speech. This meeting will come to define many of Stephen’s interactions with others throughout the novel: reserved and limited. In this odd land filled with subtle secrets and unspoken uncomfortability, Stephen is prepared for a very quiet and restful period, marked with healing and growth.
In the ancient Japanese culture, one great aspect was on how they emphasized on the intrinsic themes of loyalty and honor. They had fierce warriors known as samurai’s. A samurai was a traditional warrior who would protect and be loyal to their masters no matter what. They were known to be skilled soldiers, benevolent men, self-sacrifice, sense of shame, along with other major characteristics that embodied them as a samurai. While this class of warrior no longer exist today, the remembrance of a samurai is present in the minds of the characters in the novel, The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. Tsukiyama does a fascinating piece of work by really elaborating and describing the great attributes that Matsu possess of a true samurai. In the
"Explain the meanings and discuss the concepts and origins of Samurai and Bushido code, then relate these concepts towards the modern Japanese Soldier and Leader during World War 2 and show evidence to support that the Japanese soldier treated enemy prisoners exploiting Samurai and Bushido traditions."
John Dower's "Embracing Defeat" truly conveys the Japanese experience of American occupation from within by focusing on the social, cultural, and philosophical aspects of a country devastated by World War II. His capturing of the Japanese peoples' voice let us, as readers, empathize with those who had to start over in a "new nation."
Stories about war and implements of such can be observed throughout the course of Japanese history. This shows the prevalence of martial training and the profession of arms as a tradition that has not faded since ancient times (Friday and Humitake 13).
Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today deriving directly and indirectly from the beliefs of the Samurai.
This film had spectacular performances from the actors, especially Takashi Shimura, who plays Kanbei. Kanbei is a seasoned samurai and he was first chosen by the elders of the village. Toshiro Mifune’s plays Kikuchiyo who is an abrasive samurai who bridges the gap between the warriors and the people who live in the village.
Gaskin, Carol. and Hawkins, Vince. The Ways of the Samurai. New York: Byron Preiss Visual
Japan is part of our world that not many people know, for the few that do, they know that Japan is filled with an extraordinary history. Some of the history starts with little traditions like, the tradition of kimono’s, to big ones such as their well known Japanese festivals. Ancient Japan was a series of islands and many cultural expansions which included religion, armies, art, classic traditions, and their type of clothing. Ancient Japanese is still alive today, from basic works of art, to then a following of certain religions such as Shinto and Buddhism. Many Americans don’t the cultural aspects that were attributed by many across the world, they don’t know that many of those aspects made what Japan is today in society.
Matsumoto studies three generations, Issei, Nisei, and Sansei living in a closely linked ethnic community. She focuses her studies in the Japanese immigration experiences during the time when many Americans were scared with the influx of immigrants from Asia. The book shows a vivid picture of how Cortex Japanese endured violence, discriminations during Anti-Asian legislation and prejudice in 1920s, the Great Depression of 1930s, and the internment of 1940s. It also shows an examination of the adjustment period after the end of World War II and their return to the home place.
...ile the war is still happening. The lack of freedom and human rights can cause people to have a sad life. Their identity, personality, and dignity will be vanish after their freedom and human right are taking away. This is a action which shows America’s inhuman ideas. It is understandable that war prison should be put into jail and take away their rights; but Japanese-American citizen have nothing to do with the war. American chooses to treat Jap-American citizen as a war prisoner, then it is not fair to them because they have rights to stay whatever side they choose and they can choose what ever region they want. Therefore, Otasuka’s novel telling the readers a lesson of how important it is for people to have their rights and freedom with them. People should cherish these two things; if not, they will going to regret it.
The movie shows Samurai as warriors in the Edo period, during the 1800’s. They used a sword called a Kataran and a wakizashi which is a smaller sword, much like a dagger, that was used as a samurai's "honour blade" and never left the samurai's side, this was to protect them from harm and they were all taught a martial art called koryū, (which the character’s practice and some are being taught the martial art) which is the way of the Samurai people. The harakiri is a form of ritual that involves suicide, which was shown in the final battle and the last samurai had to
...of Yokohama. Furthermore, Fusaku represents the ever-present western philosophy, as she is constantly surrounded by imported Western goods and the entailed modern lifestyle. On the other hand, her son Noboru holds manliness and more traditional Japanese values dear to his heart, as presented politically in the final execution of Ryuji. This fall from grace of Ryuji is abruptly halted by his death, thus presenting Mishima’s concept that Japan will restore its original splendor once westernization becomes discarded and diminished from the originally traditional Japan. The assasination of Ryuji presents an enlightening moment for the character as in the blink of an eye, Ryuji understands his weakness: death alone is the only way to correct his massive blunder.