Seppuku

27 February 2023

Director: Masaki Kobayashi

See

Him: Seppuku, or Harakiri, a 1962 Japanese film directed by Masaki Kobayashi is considered the greatest samurai movie of all time. I’ve seen a few Akira Kurasawa films and the structure of this story is sublime. Tsugumo, a ronin asks a samurai clan to use their courtyard to commit ritual suicide. The counselor agrees after telling him the story of Hikuro, another ronin who did the same. 

Her: Seppuku/Harakiri by Masaki Kobayashi, a story of a samurai (ronin) who comes to the House of Ley to ask for permission to perform a ceremony of harakiri in their backyard. 

Think

Him: The subversion of the narrative that Hikokuro was destitute and needed help financially is revealed through Tsugumo’s story of his son-in-law. It’s a long and winding retelling that feels like it’s building to a confrontation.

Her: Visually incredible, great story (‘plot within a plot’), both masterfully interconnected. Very impactful soundtrack both masterfully interconnected. Very impactful soundtrack, cinematography, set design, acting - all the elements are there and work together to create a great movie, unlike anything I’ve seen before (aside from Tarantino’s references).

Feel

Him: The actual questioning of codes of conduct and honor seems to me the coda. The clan forced them to go through with it rather than consider their course of action. Tsugumo’s revelation that he bested the three samurai involved in the other harakri with a bambo blade is the turning point. They became poor because there was no more war. The concluding conflict was cathartic but reveals the system as a facade of status quo. 

She: Like with ‘Fear and Trembling’, I was trying not to judge the characters from my own perspective but rather listen, watch and then try to understand a very different mentality they portray. All of the actors were amazing, even a toddler playing Kingo. The genius of this film is in tiny little details like Tsugumo’s choreography moves in the fight scene or Miho’s closing with shade - they speak more than words can.