I really enjoyed watching the movie, Twilight Samurai. Iguchi was such a loving, giving father and man of honor. His love for his two daughters was so great that he neglected his own needs in the way of hygiene, entertainment, and companionship. Besides working as a civil servant, he made little insect cages to supplement the family income. He made the best of an unfortunate situation, losing his wife, taking care of his ailing mother, and raising two young girls. Even though he did not want to fight the other samurai, he knew it was his duty according to bushido. His restraint of emotion was so strong, especially when you knew he cared for Tomoe. I wanted to shout out and tell him to go for it, marry her. They belonged together; true childhood sweethearts. I loved the details of the village life. I saw a side to the samurai who were no longer needed in the past to protect their lords as that period was dying out. The ending was sad, but I was happy to know that Iguchi spent the last three years of his short life with the woman he loved. The daughter who narrated truly appreciated and admired her father. Great movie. There are definitely parts I could share with my students to illustrate life in Japan's past.
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