Movies - Samurai I : Musashi Miyamoto

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	Movies - Samurai I : Musashi Miyamoto

Musahi Miyamoto, 1954 is a film by Hiroshi Inagaki starring Toshirô Mifune. It is the first film of the Samurai Trilogy. The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi which has been called Japan's Gone With The Wind. Musashi is based on the famous Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi.

The following two films are Samurai II : Duel At Ichijoji Temple and Samurai III : Duel At Ganryu Island.

Plot

Following the battle of Sekigahara, Takezo, played by Mifune, and his friend Matahaci find themselves on the defeated side. Instead of the grand victory and glory Musashi had anticipated, he finds himself a defeated fugitive. The pair seek shelter with a widow and her daughter. Both woman attempt to seduce Takezo but both are rejected. The widow then tells Matahaci that Takezo tried to assault her and convinces him to leave with her and her daughter to Kyoto. Matahaci agrees even though he loves (and is betrothed to) Otsu, a woman from his village.

Takezo returns to his village to tell Matachachi's family that he is still alive. Matahachi's mother doesn't believe Takezo's story and he is arrested for treason. There is a village wide search for Takezo, organised by the lord. Even after using his relatives as bait, the villagers cannot catch Takezo.

Takezo is finally captured by the Buddhist priest, who tells the lord that he must be allowed to use his methods to control him. The priest believes that he can straighten him out, but Takezo escapes with the help of Otsu. Takezo is then captured again by the priest after finding out that Otsu has been taken to Himeji Castle. He is tricked and locked into a room in the castle for 3 years.

The end of the film shows Takezo being granted his samurai name 'Musashi Miyamoto'. He then leaves to search for enlightenment, with the messages to Otso, "Soon I will be back", "Forgive me".

Facts

The film begins in the year 1600, with Ieyasu Tokugawa's victory in the battle of Sekigahara. The legendary Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584-1645) fought in this battle which lasted 3 days and in which 70,000 people died. Although he fought on the losing side he surprisingly emerged as a major heroic figure in the years that followed.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Samurai I : Musashi Miyamoto ]

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