Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Encyclopedia
is a 1954 color (Eastmancolor) Japanese film by Hiroshi Inagaki
starring Toshirō Mifune
. It is the first film of Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy
of historical adventures. The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa
's novel Musashi
. The novel is loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese
swordsman Miyamoto Musashi
. The film won the 1955 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
.
The other two films in the trilogy are Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
and Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
.
, Takezo (Toshirō Mifune) and his friend Matahachi (Rentaro Mikuni) find themselves on the losing side. Instead of the grand victory and glory Takezo had anticipated, he finds himself a hunted fugitive. The pair seek shelter with a widow and her daughter. Both women attempt to seduce Takezo but are rejected. The widow then tells Matahachi that Takezo tried to assault her and convinces him to escort her and her daughter to Kyoto
. Matahachi agrees even though he loves (and is betrothed to) Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa
), a woman from his village.
Takezo returns to his village to tell Matahachi's family that he is still alive. Matahachi's mother doesn't believe him and he is arrested for treason. There is a village wide search for Takezo, organized by the lord. Even after using his relatives as bait, the villagers cannot catch Takezo.
Takezo is finally captured by the Buddhist priest Takuan Sōhō
, 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 Otsu's help. Takezo is then captured again by the priest after finding out that Otsu has been taken to Himeji Castle
. He is tricked and locked in a room in the castle for three years.
The end of the film shows Takezo being granted his samurai name 'Musashi Miyamoto.' He then leaves to search for enlightenment, leaving two messages for Otsu: "Soon I will be back" and "Forgive me."
's victory in the battle of Sekigahara
. The historical Miyamoto Musashi is believed to have fought in this battle.
Hiroshi Inagaki
was a Japanese filmmaker most known for the Academy Award-winning Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto, which he directed in 1954.-Career:Born in Tokyo as the son of a shinpa actor, Inagaki appeared on stage in his childhood before joining the Nikkatsu studio as an actor in 1922...
starring Toshirō Mifune
Toshiro Mifune
Toshirō Mifune was a Japanese actor who appeared in almost 170 feature films. He is best known for his 16-film collaboration with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, from 1948 to 1965, in works such as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, and Yojimbo...
. It is the first film of Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy
Samurai Trilogy
The Samurai Trilogy is a film trilogy directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring Toshirō Mifune as Musashi Miyamoto and Koji Tsuruta as Kojirō Sasaki...
of historical adventures. The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa
Eiji Yoshikawa
was a Japanese historical novelist, probably one of the best and most famous authors in the genre. Among his most well-known novels, most are revisions of past works. He was mainly influenced by classics such as The Tale of the Heike, Tale of Genji, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the Three...
's novel Musashi
Musashi (novel)
is a Japanese novel written by Eiji Yoshikawa and serialized in 1935 in Asahi Shimbun.-Introduction:It is a fictionalized account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings and arguably the most renowned Japanese swordsman who ever lived.The novel has been translated into...
. The novel is loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
swordsman Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi
, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age...
. The film won the 1955 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
.
The other two films in the trilogy are Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
is a color 1955 Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Inagaki starring Toshirō Mifune. It is the second film of the Samurai Trilogy. The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi...
and Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
is a 1956 color Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Inagaki starring Toshirō Mifune. It is the third film of the Samurai Trilogy. The film is adapted from Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi...
.
Plot
Following the battle of SekigaharaBattle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
, Takezo (Toshirō Mifune) and his friend Matahachi (Rentaro Mikuni) find themselves on the losing side. Instead of the grand victory and glory Takezo had anticipated, he finds himself a hunted fugitive. The pair seek shelter with a widow and her daughter. Both women attempt to seduce Takezo but are rejected. The widow then tells Matahachi that Takezo tried to assault her and convinces him to escort her and her daughter to Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
. Matahachi agrees even though he loves (and is betrothed to) Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa
Kaoru Yachigusa
is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture. From 1947 to 1957 she was a member of the Takarazuka Revue. Since leaving the Revue, she has been active in film, television, and narration....
), a woman from his village.
Takezo returns to his village to tell Matahachi's family that he is still alive. Matahachi's mother doesn't believe him and he is arrested for treason. There is a village wide search for Takezo, organized by the lord. Even after using his relatives as bait, the villagers cannot catch Takezo.
Takezo is finally captured by the Buddhist priest Takuan Sōhō
Takuan Soho
was a major figure in the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.Takuan Sōhō was born into a family of farmers in the town of Izushi, located in what was at that time called Tajima province . At the age of 8 in 1581 young Takuan began his religious studies and 2 years later he entered a Buddhist monastery...
, 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 Otsu's help. Takezo is then captured again by the priest after finding out that Otsu has been taken to Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle
When the han feudal system was abolished in 1871, Himeji Castle was put up for auction. The castle was purchased by a Himeji resident for 23 Japanese yen...
. He is tricked and locked in a room in the castle for three years.
The end of the film shows Takezo being granted his samurai name 'Musashi Miyamoto.' He then leaves to search for enlightenment, leaving two messages for Otsu: "Soon I will be back" and "Forgive me."
Historical background
The film begins in the year 1600 with Tokugawa IeyasuTokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
's victory in the battle of Sekigahara
Battle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
. The historical Miyamoto Musashi is believed to have fought in this battle.
Cast
- Toshirō MifuneToshiro MifuneToshirō Mifune was a Japanese actor who appeared in almost 170 feature films. He is best known for his 16-film collaboration with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, from 1948 to 1965, in works such as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, and Yojimbo...
as Miyamoto MusashiMiyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age...
aka Takezo - Rentaro Mikuni as Honiden Matahachi
- Kuroemon Onoe as priest Takuan (Takuan SōhōTakuan Sohowas a major figure in the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.Takuan Sōhō was born into a family of farmers in the town of Izushi, located in what was at that time called Tajima province . At the age of 8 in 1581 young Takuan began his religious studies and 2 years later he entered a Buddhist monastery...
) - Kaoru YachigusaKaoru Yachigusais a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture. From 1947 to 1957 she was a member of the Takarazuka Revue. Since leaving the Revue, she has been active in film, television, and narration....
as Otsu - Mariko OkadaMariko OkadaMariko Okada is a Japanese actress. She is married to film director Yoshishige Yoshida.Her father was the noted silent film actor Tokihiko Okada, who before his early death starred in Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Chorus...
as Akemi - Mitsuko Mito as Oko
- Eiko Miyoshi as Osugi, Matahachi's mother
- Akihiko HirataAkihiko Hiratawas a Japanese film actor. While Hirata starred in many movies , he is most well known for his work in the kaiju genre, including such films as King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Mysterians, and his most famous role of Dr...
as Seijuro Yoshioka - Kusuo Abe as Temma Tsujikaze
- Eitarō Ozawa as Terumasa Ikeda
- Akira Tani as Kawarano-Gonroku
- Seijiro Onda as chief official
- Fumito Matsuo as petty official 1
- Masanobu Ôkubo as petty official 2
- Jiro Kumagai as villager 1
- Akira Sera as villager 2
- Yasuhisa Tsutsumi as villager 1
- Yutaka Sada as soldier 1
- Shigeo Kato as soldier 2
- Junichirō Mukai as soldier 3
- Kiyoshi Kamoda as roving warrior 1
- Michio Sakurai as roving warrior 2
- Kyoro Sakurai as roving warrior 3
- Masao Masuda as woodcutter
- Daisuke KatōDaisuke Katôwas a Japanese actor who appeared in over 150 films, including Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai , Rashomon, Yojimbo , and Ikiru, and Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy and Chushingura.-Filmography:* Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji...
- Kanta Kisaragi
- Yoshio Kosugi
- Sojin Kamiyama
- William HoldenWilliam HoldenWilliam Holden was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974...
as narrator in the original US version (uncredited)
External links
- Criterion Collection essay by Bruce Eder http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/1954/cd002800.htm