Harikiri - the movie

I saw this movie sometime ago on Netflix. It's become one of my favorite Japanese period pieces.
But what's amazing about it is not just the compelling story, the great acting, the realistic dialogue (ok subtitles...), but the very surprising theme of honour (or rather the lack of it).

It's a period of peace in the Tokugawa period, and samurai are becoming ronin in a time of peace, but also of politics and intrigue.

One such samurai must endure shame in being a pauper-warrior and forego the honour of ritual suicide (seppeku or harikiri) in order to carry out his oath of raising his friend's son as well as to raise his own daughter by himself.

Instead of your usual slash and kill samurai period pieces (though there are some spectacular fight scenes here especially the 1 on 1 duels), this movie focuses on what it means to be a samurai, the importance of honour versus the appearance of honour as well as touches on themes of class, family, etc.

It's a long story, perhaps a bit slow in emphasizing his downward fall into poverty, etc., but that's what makes the ending so great and tragic.... when he realizes his sword was not worth the life of his child and grandchild.

Harikiri starring the great actor Tatsuya Nakadai (who is also in the incredible trilogy "The Human Condition" about a pacifist in WWII-Japan)

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Quotation:  After all, this thing we call samurai honor is ultimately nothing but a facade.

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