Message from ssaito

[Anonymous]

Related to our Sat 4/29 session with Professor Yamashita and the film "Twilight Samurai," I have a similar film called "When the Last Sword is Drawn" that centers on another low rank samurai in Japan. I had an easy time relating the film since the main character shares the same last name as me, SAITO. At first, what appears to be a self-serving, miserly samurai, we are slowly introduced and warmed up to a caring, diplomatic samurai. Similar to the main character in the "Twilight Samurai," Saito-san is committed to caring for his family above all else. While the Daimyo/Shogun is important to his vocational commitments, his real life is centered on his precious memories of his home village and family. As he rises in rank to serve a greater need of the warring clans, he is away from home for longer periods and at a greater distance.

I won't give away the details of some of his 'missions,' but there is a great amount of what we talked about in regards to the roles in feudal Japan and the warrior role of the Samurai. When Saito-san's clan is accused to disloyalty to the new government, he faces a modern army with guns in a classic village battle sequence. Should he support a crumbling clan with a cause falling out of favor with the public, or should he surrender to save his life for the sake of his family and future reunion. Much like samurai who lost or were without their "lords" to serve, the ronin-like Catch-22 that Samurai Saito is caught in, is similar to what we educators face on a daily basis with ethical dilemmas in the classrooms. By the way, in case you did not know, a 'ronin' is a Samurai without a master or a daimyo to serve (yes, the homeless Samurai). As educators, do we serve the curriculum, the students, the parents, the district, or at our base level, our own passions and expertise.

If you are used to Samurai movies, the conclusion is somewhat predictable... However, it is through the process and actions of his roles that Samurai Saito earns our compassion as the film viewers...

While I grew up loving Samurai tales, I definitely prefer stories about the 'ordinary' life and moral dilemmas, not just about 'spoiled' aristocrats and warriors.