The last Samuari

1.       Magoza demonstrates bushido when he refuses to tell the truth even though it put him in a situation where he could have died or could have killed his best friend. This shows sell-sacrificing loyalty to his master. Another time he demonstrates bushido is when he tells his master that he would love to die by his side. This shows the importance of an honorable death is samurai culture.

2.       The difference is that giri implies deep personal connection. The book gives the examples of master-subordinate, parent-child, and lovers. Obligations in American culture, however, can be mundane and not personal. For example, I have an obligation to go to work, but there is no personal connection between me and my employment.

3.       Bushido is based on a warrior’s code of conduct that emphasizes loyalty and honor; whereas, giri involve personal relationships and obligation to seek another person’s happiness. When Magoza agrees to raise the girl this shows bushido because he is being obedient to his master. However, when he waits till the girl consents to the marriage before arranging it, it is because of giri (Magoza felt obligated to make the girl happy).

4.       The scene where Magoza finalizes the wedding demonstrates how ie systems have reputations. It demonstrates this because Mahgoza is scared that because the girl is born of a criminal the family would not want that shame on their ie system. Another scene that shows how the ie system worked is when Magoza first brings up the idea of Kane marrying the merchant boy. Kane asks Magoza if she has a choice and the answer is no, she does not have a choice. In the ie system the male head of the ie made all the decisions.

5.       This causes a contradiction about Kane’s happiness. Kane knows that Magoza wants to make her happy and will make his decision accordingly, but she will only be happy if she can choose her own love. But Magoza believes that his decision to have her marry a merchant will make her happy, therefore, she agrees to the marriage to make Magoza happy. This conflict arose because of the power distribution in the ie system.

6.       American culture has traditionally favored men in the family but this trend is changing and women are being treated more equally. In my experience growing up men have always been treated better. When my mom was with my dad he was in control of everything, my mom wasn’t even allowed to check the mail. Then she met my now former stepdad and was treated better, but he still had the final say in all matters. Therefore, in my experience men are treated better and have more power in the family.

7.       Magoza’s wish was for Kane to marry a merchant. Kane’s wish was to be with Magoza. Therefore, by setting up this marriage Magoza was ignoring Kane’s wish.

8.       I think that in the end of this movie Magoza will commit suicide. One reason I think this is because it is foreshadowed in the movie by the numerous puppet show scenes that show people committing suicide. In the book it says that (pg46) achieving an honorable death is important for the samurai. Magoza was supposed to die an honorable death till he was assigned this task, when he completes this task I think he will commit suicide since he is supposed to already be dead.

9.       The puppet show was very much like Romeo and Juliet, which I had to read in high school. In this play the moral is that young love is the epitome of stupidity as evidenced by their dual suicide. I do not think that the dual suicide in the puppet show has the same meaning.