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About Katsumoto's Civil War
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Jul 15, 2007
99
of
104 people found this review helpful
Since I'm Japanese, I've been brought up as I was told Katsumoto's story thousands times. So, I don't want to ruin this wondorful movie by telling you the accurate history, but I can't help telling you some important aspects of him to protect his dignity.
He (actually he is General Saigo) was willing to be killed in the civil war with his dear samurais because he knew the samurai class would be a big obstacle for Japan to go forward. If he had tried, the samurais would've won because he was the master of war tactics who carried out the Meiji Restration. But, he thought what was best for Japan was for him to disappear, so he followed his distiny. I know in the Western culture loser means just loser. But, the word shame means being self-important in Japan; he in fact didn't even have his house and lived in a small garage even though he was a member of the national council. He just did what he believed must be done.
One more thing. Samurais didn't cut their stmach because they couldn't bear the shame of being defeated. They did it to prove that their action (war) was not for themselves but for something worth more than their lives. They would trade their lives for their integrity.
I'm so sorry for telling you something unwanted, but I felt the need to do this for General Saigo.
I can't thank Tom Cruise enough for his efforts. |
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