tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post5747039563237608645..comments2024-03-21T00:18:25.414-07:00Comments on I See Japan...from L.A.: Love and Honorowenandbenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-55207580105834887102011-04-13T11:04:57.571-07:002011-04-13T11:04:57.571-07:00I had forgotten about this film Tony but you refre...I had forgotten about this film Tony but you refreshed my memory. I think it was a very good film and I should watch it again. The ending was impressive in my opinion.owenandbenjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-7323906615890940802011-04-13T10:58:59.865-07:002011-04-13T10:58:59.865-07:00We just watched this movie. Very stirring tale and...We just watched this movie. Very stirring tale and told well. The transition from the Meiji era to the modern is done deftly with respect and love.<br /><br />The daughters telling of the story and her appearance at the end is both sad and happy.Tony Marianihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10224604335183260581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-45840322352498362462010-07-12T08:23:31.012-07:002010-07-12T08:23:31.012-07:00Yes and after I watched my first Zatoichi film I w...Yes and after I watched my first Zatoichi film I was kind of turned off by the absurdity of the concept of the blind swordsman and the fight scenes. But I gave it a second chance and continued watching the Zatoichi flicks. Although I still think the blind swordsman idea is silly, they are actually very entertaining films and of course Shintaro Katsu is great and makes the films humorous.owenandbenjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-64983426618073491642010-07-12T07:50:11.530-07:002010-07-12T07:50:11.530-07:00I have to agree with you on the swordsmanship. I h...I have to agree with you on the swordsmanship. I had once asked Obata Kaiso (Shinkendo)about Zatoichi moves and he told me such moves were not possible in real conflict. This film is far more realistic.lasamuraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03049585161848495985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-13258865660503028762010-07-12T07:38:41.178-07:002010-07-12T07:38:41.178-07:00Excellent analysis thank you. Yes, I can see the m...Excellent analysis thank you. Yes, I can see the metaphors in the film which I did not realize at the time I was watching it. Makes the film even more impressive.owenandbenjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-39810648250000383142010-07-12T05:33:29.266-07:002010-07-12T05:33:29.266-07:00An enjoyable movie.
The big difference here is th...An enjoyable movie.<br /><br />The big difference here is the inner story - the blindness is a metaphor (IMO) for the final blow to the Samurai class in Japan. Here the protagonist is presented as helpless, seemingly ineffectual - almost a thing of pity - yet he must rise above this and show the strength within. But ultimately he accepts this new truth.<br /><br />At one point he bemoans how the inflexible system of sword-fighting schools must change... where people should be taught against their individual strengths and weaknesses. This is a sign of the growing realisation that the stagnation that had impacted with such force on the Samurai class... <br /><br />At the end of the day - it's a love story, showing the strength (and sacrifice) of both a womans love for her man, and the acceptance of a the limits of a mans pride in his own world view.<br /><br />A great movie... even if somewhat subdued in it's message.AdelaideBenhttp://www.japaneseties.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com