J-Movie: 影武者 (Kagemusha [the Shadow Warrior]) by Akira Kurosawa https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/t168848 Runboard| J-Movie: 影武者 (Kagemusha [the Shadow Warrior]) by Akira Kurosawa en-us Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:09:10 +0000 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:09:10 +0000 https://www.runboard.com/ rssfeeds_managingeditor@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds managing editor) rssfeeds_webmaster@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds webmaster) akBBS 60 Re: …https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p2005458,from=rss#post2005458https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p2005458,from=rss#post2005458 class blockquote vannessave wrote: I hadn't noticed this board before. Some great info, I think this is one of the movies I recently picked up for my son (remember the cover more than the name) I need to send him a link to it. Checked with "the son" and this is the one he has. He said he liked it. I think I may give it a try one of those lazy days when I just want to veg nondisclosed_email@example.com (vannessave)Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:47:56 +0000 https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p2005044,from=rss#post2005044https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p2005044,from=rss#post2005044I hadn't noticed this board before. Some great info, I think this is one of the movies I recently picked up for my son (remember the cover more than the name) I need to send him a link to it. nondisclosed_email@example.com (vannessave)Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:38:26 +0000 https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p1415389,from=rss#post1415389https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p1415389,from=rss#post1415389Thanks so much for the notes. I saw this a while ago. I'll have to pull it out and watch it again. All those names meant nothing to me then, but now after watching the taiga dramas and reading some Japapnese history, the names are beginning to mean something.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Tangpriest)Fri, 28 Oct 2005 05:23:24 +0000 Re: J-Movie: 影武者 (Kagemusha [the Shadow Warrior]) by Akira Kurosawahttps://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p1415388,from=rss#post1415388https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p1415388,from=rss#post1415388Links for purchasing the classic Kagemusha from our affiliates: class center float-left English subbed Full Length class center float-left Region 3: Japanese Full Length class center float-left Region 2 English/Chinese/Korean/Thai subs Shorter Versionnondisclosed_email@example.com (ccwf)Tue, 25 Oct 2005 20:05:52 +0000 J-Movie: 影武者 (Kagemusha [the Shadow Warrior]) by Akira Kurosawahttps://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p1415387,from=rss#post1415387https://bcjkdramasincalifornia.runboard.com/p1415387,from=rss#post1415387[The material below was posted by me at IMDb in July 2003 and has been reformatted/edited for this board.] Some knowledge of Japanese history is useful in appreciating this film. This film is set at the beginning of the Warring States era of Japanese history, which most Japanese film viewers would have studied extensively in school. Unfortunately for Western viewers, these historical aspects are therefore given little exposition, making some aspects of the film hard to follow for those without such schooling. Here are some attempts at “liner notes” to help in understanding and appreciating the film (warning: I'm not Japanese and have not had Japanese schooling): class ul class li xml:lang ja-JP 武田信玄 Shingen Takeda is a warlord vying for power with xml:lang ja-JP 織田信長 Oda Nobunaga and his ally xml:lang ja-JP 徳川家康 Ieyasu. class li Takeda had a reputation for the military prowess of their cavalry. Thus, you see lots and lots of horses featured in the film. Horses were important to the clan. Takeda's symbol is the four diamonds (the exact symbolism is explained in the film). Just as in the West, use of such heraldic symbols in war banners and clothing was very useful in figuring out who is who. So, keep in mind that when you see the four diamonds, whatever their color, those are Takeda forces. class li Nobunaga was known for his adoption of many Western ways. This is why he wears European-influenced clothing and doesn't have the standard samurai haircut (basically, shaved head, topknot). Nobunaga was also known for his use of rifles in battles. So, one of the themes of the film is the struggle of tradition against the influence of the West (in the film, mostly shown through the use of guns although there is also a brief shot of some clerics). Nobunaga's symbol is the five-sectioned flower. Nobunaga is also known for his love of Noh dramas, a dramatic form incorporating difficult-to-understand archaic language and restrained, careful action, somewhat like the film Kagemusha itself. Nobunaga launches into a bit of Noh at one point in the film. class li At this early time, Ieyasu was mostly known for his political survival skills. Ieyasu is probably best known to American viewers as the basis for James Clavell's Toranaga character in Shogun. (Nobunaga is also in Shogun albeit as a minor character and under a different name.) The events in this film take place roughly two decades prior to those in Shogun. class li Takeda's generals each also have their own symbols to help you track them. One of Ieyasu's generals also has a “symbol” (actually, the character xml:lang ja-JP 本). class li Haircuts are a sign of rank. This is why all the lords (except Nobunaga) have a certain haircut, all the pages have the same hairstyle, and so forth. The haircut~rank connection figures even more strongly and explicitly in Kurosawa's Throne of Blood. class li Japanese men during this period often changed their names as their status changed. For example, in xml:lang ja-JP 利家とまつ (Toshiie to Matsu), xml:lang ja-JP 利家 Toshiie, who is one of Nobunaga's (and, later, xml:lang ja-JP 豊臣秀吉 Hideyoshi's and Ieyasu's) generals/lords is granted the honor of changing his name to one which incorporates part of his lord's name into his own. Keep this in mind as Takeda's son discusses the use of his father's name and symbol. class li Miltary success and bravery in battle were key means of advancement. Thus, military leaders of this time are often depicted as ever-volunteering to do brave (even stupidly brave) things in hopes of gaining greater status. In Kagemusha, Takeda's son is desperate for such advancement.nondisclosed_email@example.com (ccwf)Fri, 24 Sep 2004 21:38:11 +0000