First published by EyeforFilm In 1853, four American warships arrive in Japan demanding that, after three centuries of peaceful seclusion, she now open herself up to foreign trade. The Shogunate’s pragmatic supporters, based in Edo, have given in to America’s gunboat diplomacy without first consulting the Divine Emperor and begun eradicating anyone opposed to their…
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai first published by EyeforFilm “Another one?” This is the grimly resigned response of Kageyu (Koji Yakusho), Chief Official of the noble Ii clan, when he is informed that there is at the gate a shabbily dressed ronin, or masterless samurai, seeking permission to commit formal seppuku (also known as harakiri, or…
Harakiri first published by Little White Lies The year is 1630, three decades after the battle of Sekigahara has ended the Civil War between Japan’s different feudal Clans, paving the way for an era of prolonged peace under the Tokugawa Shogunate. But this peace comes at a price. Many of the old Clans have been…