Chapter I Introduction
For about a year, I have been researching Takeaki Enomoto from various perspectives. Through this study, I would like to introduce him to non-Japanese as the relatively unknown last true Samurai, who embodied the true Samurai spirit with an international outlook and by doing so, help to change the image of the real Samurai spirit and the Japanese people.
Several years ago, a film called “The Last Samurai” was released, and
received a wide audience. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is of the last Samurai as a tragic hero thrusting forward through the bullets,holding his sword. I believe that this depiction was hardly rational and was overly simplified, making the Samurai seem reckless rather than brave. I was disappointed because of the above reasons.
While it may be true that there were in fact some Samurai that fought in that manner, I would like to highlight some of the true Samurai, such as Enomoto and Kaishu Katsu*. This might help to change the readers’ views of the Samurai and the people associated with the last of the Samurai culture. Katsu was Enomoto’s superior of the Bakufu* around the end of Tokugawa Bakufu*.
In these chapters, I would like to describe not only Enomoto but make a comparison between Enomoto and Katsu in order to stimulate thought about what a true Samurai is.
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