Essay --

The events of Hara-kiri can be contextualized within a span of time that saw twain the end of decades of war, and the legal jointure of Japan. The unification of Japan ushered in a new line of Shoguns, Shoguns with the momentous parturiency of designing a social and legal form that would prevent the infraction of power by the many fringe yet powerful daimyo. believe in the Machiavellian idea that fear is simply a bureau to an end, and that end is security for the prince, the Tokagawa Shoguns implemented a series of policies in which subaltern crimes were met with harsh punishments. To any astute observer, such a legal system is sure to breed hypocrisy. Indeed, it was during this time that the bushido codes emphasis on honor dwindled. To most samurai during this time, the bushido codes high standards of honor were unobtainable2, qualification disobedience common and sometimes unavoidable. But to acknowledge disobedience meant authoritative death, and was thus unheard of. It w as in this unjust milieu that the events of Hara-kiri unfolded. both(prenominal) Motome and the retainers of the Iyi were honorable samurai motivated by an inextinguishable desire to protect the ones they warmth however, the unjust policies of the Shogun made this desire incompatible with the high standards of the bushido code, driving both parties to reluctantly defy the code. The use of the armor in the first shot establishes that the Iyi are honorable samurai, and shows their desire for the public to perceive them as such. The nip begins with a close up of the helmet. The camera is held at eye level, allowing the stunner to look directly into the eyes. The camera then switches to a position on a lower floor the midline, close to the feet and points upwards at the helmet, the view of a person on hi... ...triguing to consider Motomes state of mind when as he commits seppuku. Did he die hating the Iyi for allowing him to commit seppuku? Or did he ultimately realize the madn ess of his actions and that the Iyi had no other alternative? The latter is most likely true. In the moments before his death, we see Motome with his head down. He is relaxed and calm, his irrationality gone. He realizes that the Iyis decision to allow him to go through with his seppuku was not born out(p) of greed or hate, except out of love, a love for the members of the clique and a desire to protect them from the possible repercussions of dishonor. He then breaks the clam, takes his sword, but he does not fight like Tsugumo does. He thrusts the sword into his stomach, acting seppuku for the retainers of the Iyi and their wives and children, ensuring none of them will ever be in his situation.