Seven Samurai (1954)
Director: Kurosawa
Akira
Screenplay: Hashimoto
Shinobu, Oguni Hideo and Kurosawa Akira
Cinematography: Nakai
Asakazu
Music: Hayasaka Fumio
Running time: approx. 200
min
The scene I have chosen
to analyses for this assignment is the armor scene from Kurosawa’s “Seven
samurai”. This scene focuses on Kikuchiyo; the outcast of the group. Not only
is he the only samurai of the seven who is not an actual samurai, but he is
also born a farmer. His troubles past are further unreeled later on in the
battles to come. But this scene exemplifies just how large the gap between the
samurai class and peasant class is.
The scene is set with the five senior samurai
discussing battle plans and Kikuchiyo returning with armor of slain samurai to
aid them in the upcoming fights against the bandits.From the Beginning, Kikuchiyo was the outcast, the comic relief, the stray dog playing samurai. Nevertheless, he was shown to be the greatest hero of them all, and when he was slain, he was laid to rest the same as any other samurai. This scene is vital because it reveals the innermost workings of kikuchiyo, as well as exposes the faults of the samurai class and it's result on the farmers. His tragic past and humility toward peasants is further expanded later on during the burning windmill scene, when Kikuchiyo sobs holding the baby. Close ups and cuts are nearly seamlessly used in this scene and reinforce the emotions packed in. Also, the fact of having no music track or ambient noise (except a stream) allows the viewer to focus on the content.
After retrieving the
armor, Kikuchiyo is shun by the other samurai. They feel as though the villagers
are monsters and sit in silent contemplation. The sound at this point is non-existent,
except for the noise on funning water from a nearby stream and Heihachi (funny
one) stabbing at the floor with a stick. Tension builds steadily, as Kikuchiyo
becomes visibly more and more aggravated with his comrade’s reactions. He
breaks his silence when Kyuzo (sword master) speaks out that “Now I want to kill them all.”
Manzo cowers in fear when Kikuchiyo blurts that he got the armor from him. He knows what this will mean in the eyes of the senior samurai.
Still with no music ion this scene, he throws aside the armor and arrows, symbolically renouncing his fellow samurai for the moment, as he is discussed by their attitude. The only noise at this point is the still running stream and Kikuchiyo's rant .
Even the peasants are taken into shock by Kikuchiyo's words. His rage increases and he protests that farmers are "mean, stupid, murders!" But it was the samurai who made them this way. These words mixed wit his emotion reveals enough about his past and himself to see that not only was he a farmer, but he has hatred for the world in total. Thus, he assumes the role of a "samurai".
I was so glad to see that you chose this scene, as it is one of my favorites that we have seen this semester. I completely agree with your insight that this moment transforms Kikuchiyo from "the outcast, the comic relief, the stray dog playing samurai" to a much more complicated character. His past personal struggles are clearly evident, and we also get to see just how much of a difference there is between the samurai class and the peasant class. This scene exposes the peasants in a more honest light, and we see that interactions with members of the warrior class are largely responsible for the peasants' initial distrust of the seven samurai. However, I'm not entirely sure if I follow your statement that through this statement "he assumes the role of a 'samurai''. In my opinion, it's quite the opposite. His rant seems to be directed at the samurai, from the perspective of a former farmer. I feel that he speaks on behalf of the peasants but with the authority of a psuedo-samurai. This interaction, where we see the samurai as displeased by what they consider to be the desecration of other samurai by the peasants, may have been a reminder to Kikuchiyo about how different he really feels; despite desperately wanting to be a samurai. This feeling was possibly the catalyst for this emotionally packed scene. I also wonder if the samurai are concerned about what will happen to their bodies after the battle, and if they are hurt when they realize they are seen as dispensable to the farmers. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteWow, i just godda say, " I feel that he speaks on behalf of the peasants but with the authority of a psuedo-samurai" is spot on! The thoughts of the samurai after the battle is also a good point. Looking back, it would seem that the senior members may had been generally concerned for it, while Kikushiyo had never even considered a future where they had not won the battle. He seems sure of them and headstrong throughout the whole battle.
DeleteI could've sworn that I published a comment on this blog, but I'm not sure what happened to it. I agree that Kikuchiyo is an interesting character, and I loved seeing his development through the film. I think your point about having no music track during this scene is important, it makes Kikuchiyo's words stand out more, and depicts that the others are truly listening to what he says. I agree with Matt about Kikuchiyo's speech being from the perspective of a former farmer as well.
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