Soul of the Samurai

Offering a thorough overview of samurai tradition, history, and cultural significance, filmmaker Michael Zomber's Soul of the Samurai is a fine primer for those seeking a deeper appreciation of samurai (as depicted in hundreds of Japanese films, including the classic epics of Akira Kurosawa), combining 3-D animation of Japanese woodblock prints, informative narration, interviews with experts, and an onscreen glossary covering aspects ranging from the definition of "Bushido" (or the samurai code of honor) to the status of "ronin" (masterless samurai) in the waning days of the original Edo period. Of particular interest are the detailed segments devoted to the significance and revered status of the samurai's swords (one long for battle, one shorter for personal defense) and a graphically detailed description of the ritual suicide known as “seppuku,” regarded as an "honorable exit from earthly life" for a samurai or (more broadly) a noble atonement for personable failure or shameful compromise of the Bushido code. Two experts provide complementary context: Rev. Kensho Furuya (from the Aikido Center of Los Angeles), who offers an Eastern perspective on samurai ethics (a spiritual combination of Confucian and Buddhist virtues), and author-director Zomber, who takes a Western look at the enduring appeal of the samurai. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Shannon)