Ronin Gai
by Kazuo Kuroki
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Actor: Hideyo Amamoto, Kanako Higuchi, Shintarô Katsu, Takuji Aoki, Yoshio HaradaDirector: Kazuo Kuroki
Brand: Image Entertainment
Cinematographer: Hitoshi Takaiwa
Producer: Toshio Nabeshima
Writer: Itarô Yamagami
Writer: Kazuo Kasahara
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Japanese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 117 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-06-07
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Homevision
DVD Reviews of Ronin Gai
DVD Review: Stunningly Beautiful Tale of the Masterless Samurai and Lost Bushido...
Summary: 5 Stars
Ronin Gai tells a story of four different ronins in 1836 that have no solid existence in life, as they have been stripped of titles, income, or meaning. Their introduction into society's poor quickly bestows them a cynical perspective of life. This place had no room for their high morals, Bushido, as it does not put food on the table, or provides a roof over their head. If the ronins were to live by their high ideals in their newly assigned social class it would offer them nothing but belittling and public ridicule. Thus, these bewildered and socially perplexed men of Bushido found themselves taking derogatory odd jobs to pay for the sake in which they could drown their misery and problems.
To fully understand Ronin Gai some historical, political, and cultural perspectives can help the audience through this remarkable cinematic journey. In the 1830s the samurai purpose slowly faded away amidst a peaceful time after centuries of cruel and bloody clan wars. Yet, the clan society still existed in a feudal system run by the Shogun who demands the clan's support, or they had to face war. However, the wars have drained the lands and people's will to fight, which has given peace a chance to root. This meant that there was a surplus of samurai, which often lead the samurai to become masterless either through the death of their master or more likely because the master could not afford them. These samurai became known as ronin, the master-less samurai, who drifted aimlessly trying to find a purpose and hopeful meal ticket.
The samurai code, Bushido, originated from Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Zen. Through Buddhism the samurai gained the insight that death was not to fear, because death lead to incarnation and possibly another life as a samurai. The unyielding loyalty of a samurai was derived from Shintoism while Confucianism gave them their principles of human relations. Zen gave the Samurai the knowledge of focus and meditation, which should help a samurai to learn one self and avoid personal limitations. In addition, the samurai were to be righteous, compassionate, loving, and most of all have complete self-control. Combined with all these values Bushido ascends the samurai to be a true and complete warrior. However, the Bushido followed the same diminishing fate as the samurai where ronin had to find an existence among those that did not live or could afford to live by the Bushido.
Ronin Gai opens with a spectacular scene where rain washes away the dirt around a tree exposing its roots. This rain provide multiple symbolical interpretations suggesting that the samurai true nature is about to reveal itself and cleanse the blood from centuries clan wars. Of course additional interpretations are available, as the scene quickly jumps into a duel where to ronin is about to fight to the death while the rain drenches both men. After the duel, one of the story's main character advances to pray for the fallen ronin, but also takes advantage of the situation and exchanges his sword. This further displays the disillusionment of humanity among the masterless samurai, as the sword was something samurai would guard with their lives.
In the absence of war life is flourishing in the little village outside Edo where the story takes place. The main characters have fallen below in social status, to many thugs and thieves, as they struggle for the little income they can acquire. These four ronin find themselves as hired thugs, bouncers, bird salesmen, and even taking advantage of women's generosity. In this society very little has changed for the women, as they still face chauvinism and inferior positions in regards to the men. The women are used to their low social standing while the masterless samurai display depression, confusion, and disregard of the Bushido code to be placed in such a low standard. They escape their miseries through large quantities of sake and the company of prostitutes in the local restaurants and brothels.
The brothel plays an significant part where the geishas appear far stronger than the samurai. When someone begins to ruthlessly kill innocent geishas for sport in the surrounding forest the geishas request the help of the ronin. A chance for salvation arises for the masterless samurai who are sluggish in their attempts to prevent further killings, but eventually they come around to try to regain what they once lost. It is evident that Bushido is about so much more than mere sword fighting, as these men have been stripped of what they once held in high regards - their morals, beliefs, and identity.
Kazuo Kuroki directs a stunningly beautiful tale of the masterless samurai and their lost Bushido. The framing of the film displays several symbolical scenes and notions to ponder that go far beyond the script. It is truly a pleasure watching this film, as characters and actions come together in a final conclusive decision supporting what they all believe. Ronin Gai is a graceful film of self-worth that reaches beyond the cultural boundaries and leaves the audience to ponder several interesting ideas and beliefs.
Description of Ronin Gai
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