Harakiri 1964

In the sweltering summer of 1630, as the once-mighty samurai class teetered on the brink of irrelevance, a lone ronin, Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai), appeared at the gates of Lord Iyi’s official residence, his weathered face a map of resignation and defeat. This former retainer of the now-extinct Geishu Clan had been reduced to mere existence since its abolition in 1619, his proud samurai legacy crumbling beneath him like the once-mighty feudal system it served.

As he requested temporary asylum from Lord Iyi’s clan, Hanshiro’s words dripped with the weight of a thousand midnights, each one etched into his soul like a hieroglyphic on ancient stone. He came not as a supplicant seeking charity, but as a warrior bent on preserving his honor, prepared to sacrifice all that remained of him to the unforgiving gods of fate.

This was not an isolated incident, for in those hard times, the local clans had grown weary of the constant stream of ronin beseeching their mercy, each one with tales of woe and destitution. Initially, they had welcomed these fallen samurai with open arms, offering meager alms as a token of their sympathy. However, this generosity soon became an invitation to abuse, as the more cunning ronin exploited the system by feigning a desire for harakiri in hopes of securing employment or a small financial reprieve, all while keeping their lives intact.

Yet Hanshiro’s was no ordinary plea, his heart heavy with the burden of shame and regret. Like a leaf torn from its branch, he had been cast adrift by the capricious winds of history, forced to confront the abyss that yawned before him like an endless chasm. His request was not one of desperation, but of dignity, as he sought to reclaim his honor in the only way left to him: through the ritualistic sacrifice of harakiri, a final act of defiance against the cruel whims of fate.

As Kageyu Saito (Rentaro Mikuni), the revered elder of the Iyi Clan, received Tsugumo’s solemn request, he cautioned him against seeking such a drastic measure unless his intentions were genuine. The elder recounted a haunting tale of deception and tragedy involving Motome Chijiiwa (Akira Ishihama), a ronin who had masqueraded as a honorable warrior, only to be outsmarted by the Clan. With calculated cruelty, they forced Motome to carry out the ritual of seppuku, armed with nothing but flimsy bamboo blades he had fashioned from his own sword’s remnants. This brutal lesson in the consequences of insincerity served as a stark reminder of the importance of honor and loyalty.

Undeterred by this gruesome account, Tsugumo reaffirmed his determination to follow the same path, convinced that it was the only way to restore his honor. Saito, perceiving the potential benefits of this example for the Clan’s morale, agreed to facilitate the ritual. With a sense of solemnity, Tsugumo took his position on a small platform in the center of a sandy courtyard, his wakizashi poised before him like a beacon of introspection.

As the members of the Iyi Clan gathered around, Saito officiated the ceremony, while Tsugumo requested the presence of Hikokuro Omodaka (Tetsuro Tamba), the Clan’s number one swordsman. However, Omodaka was unavailable, and a messenger was dispatched to summon him back to the Palace. Meanwhile, Tsugumo, an accomplished raconteur, began to weave a tale of his past, his deep, gravelly voice conjuring vivid images as he recounted the events that led him to this fateful decision.

His narrative flowed like a river, carrying the listener on a journey through memories of his life, including the devastating loss of his friend Jinna Chijiiwa (Yoshio Inaba), who had taken his own life upon being dismissed from their Clan. Tsugumo’s grief was palpable as he recalled the note left by Jinna, asking him to care for his young son, Motome, who would eventually marry Tsugumo’s own daughter. As Tsugomo’s words drifted into flashbacks of his past, the boundaries between reality and memory began to blur, immersing the listener in a world of nostalgia and introspection.

As Tsugumo awaits news from his messenger, he’s dealt a blow when informed that Omokada has taken a sudden leave of absence and will not be attending the ceremony. In an effort to salvage the situation, Tsugumo turns to Hayato Yazaki (Ichirô Nakaya), another kaishakunin, only to discover that he too is absent. Undeterred, Tsugumo names Umenosuke Kawabe (Yoshio Aoki) as his replacement, but once again, fate plays a cruel joke and this potential second also fails to materialize. Saito, increasingly frustrated by the series of events, senses a trap being set but is still unable to fully comprehend the unfolding drama. As Tsugumo’s narrative begins to take shape, he reveals the poignant tale of a family on the brink of collapse due to illness and financial desperation. Motome, desperate to turn his fortunes around, sets out to seek Lord Iyi’s patronage, marking a turning point in the story.

As Saito’s patience wears thin, he orders his men to launch an attack, but Tsugumo remains unfazed. In a bold move, he reaches into his kimono and reveals three topknots, each bearing the name of one of the absent seconds. This shocking revelation exposes the hypocrisy of these samurai, highlighting the dishonor that comes with losing one’s topknot – an indignity that even death cannot erase.

Tsugumo’s tale takes a darker turn as he recounts his individual duels with each of the three now-indisposed samurai. With each victory, Tsugumo proceeded to claim their topknots rather than their lives, dealing a devastating blow to their honor. The final confrontation with Hikukuro Omodaka, the star swordsman of the Clan, unfolds on the Plains of Gojin-in like a choreographed dance of death – a meditation on mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence.

As the film reaches its climactic conclusion, Tsugomo’s valiant efforts culminate in a masterfully orchestrated combat sequence. Despite his grievous wounds, he grasps the sacred Clan idol, emblem of their honor, aloft like a triumphant trophy, only to shatter it mercilessly at his feet. In a poignant yet jarring twist, it is not a noble swordsman who delivers the final blow to Tsugomo’s doomed seppuku, but rather a craven platoon of musket-carrying warriors, their cowardice a stark affront to the very code they purport to uphold – bushido, the unyielding creed of the samurai. The once-pristine battlefield is left scarred and still, as the Clan’s revered emblem is restored and uprighted. The gruesome toll of war is tallied: four fallen warriors, eight more maimed by the brutal hand of conflict. Hikukuro Omodaka stands alone in his decision to perform the honorable act of harakiri, a fate that awaits his two comrades at the behest of Saito’s stern decree. All casualties, including Omodaka, will be discreetly reported as having succumbed to illness, thereby preserving the facade of honor and upholding the Clan’s vaunted reputation.