2007-01-06 03:42:46 · 8 answers · asked by Noble 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
The movie itself is fictional, but it's not a stretch to believe that some of the people and events are based on reality. The surrounding facts, politics, atmosphere, and way of life pretty much represent the truth. Japan had a rough time opening itself up to western influence.
2007-01-06 03:53:52 · answer #1 · answered by John H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joshua, a simple answer would be no. There are still a number of traditional style villages in Japan, but most are simply tourist attractions and a few are living communities. To find one like or exactly like that in The Last Samurai is extremely difficult. Tsumago and Magome are two villages on the old Nakasendo with ryokan accommodation and are very traditional as are the couple of small villages in between them.The Gokayama villages of Taira (now known as Ainokura), Kamitaira (now known as Suganuma) and Toga are well worth looking up on the net as are Shirikawa-go (accomodation is available here in a number of places) and my favorite is Minami Aizu Ouchijuku. Ouchijuku is a great place that was once a post town and is slightly off the beaten track and in an area that is rich with history.There are others but they a very small and you would only go there for a day trip as they are so small and the populations have dwindled incredibly. Look up these previous sites on the net and for photos check out Flickr.
2016-05-22 22:58:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They were the fighting class in medieval Japan. If you were a samurai, then your sons will become samurai too. Also, if you happened to fall into any other class, ie; peasant, builder, ironsmith, etc. then you are destined to remain within that category for life.
2007-01-06 03:47:59 · answer #3 · answered by seek_fulfill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big role as in them getting slaughtered by superior western war weapons, tactics, and intellect? Charging machine guns, from a long distance, with a SWORD!?! *sigh* And people wonder why there's no more samurais...
2007-01-06 04:15:18 · answer #4 · answered by Redeemer,Savior,Deliverer-MARINE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Films are very loosely based on the real thing but if your really interested heres a lot of sites
2007-01-06 10:53:53 · answer #5 · answered by shannara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They did. They were the enforcers of the Shoguns laws. Wikipedia might have something, if you want more information.
2007-01-06 04:26:05 · answer #6 · answered by The Pope 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At times, yes. They were feudal servants of the emperor.
2007-01-06 04:17:39 · answer #7 · answered by Khalin Ironcrow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aaa...yup!they were important because they formed part of the japanesse culture,and also they were protecting the emperor,and he was really important
2007-01-06 04:02:27 · answer #8 · answered by kalliste 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋