by Doris E Rufli

Created on: October 30, 2008

Not only does this movie give the (Western) audience an insight into the mythical' world of the samurai but it also deals with the subject of honour on so many levels. According to their belief what good is a man (the overall provider of a household) gone blind, even if it did happen while he was doing his duty? Let's face it, we have all heard of the honourable suicide' some are so proud to perform by way of ageold tradition. They believe this to be the only way out of a dilemma they find themselves in, no longer being able to carry out the duty they were assigned to complete. However, isn't taking your own life really the coward's way out, essentially not wanting to face unpleasant adjustments to a new way of life? I suppose, this is where the different way of thinking, traditions and general way of life comes in.

Love and Honor introduces us to the household of proud samurai Shinnojo Mimura (Takuya Kimura), his wife Kayo (Rei Dan) and their loyal servant Tokuhei (Takashi Sasano) who already served his father and helped raise the son, his new master. The audience is soon introduced to the fact that Shinnojo does not feel fulfilled carrying out his duties as a samurai (which does not automatically mean that your work will entail fighting and/or teaching) but has ideas of his own where his future is concerned. He considers setting up his own school introducing the young to the techniques and teachings of the samurai but without the usual chaste separation. He intends to teach any youth of any background and not only those of the wealthy, influential and powerful. This is virtually unheard of and is very likely to produce a lot of controversy if not rightout scandal of which he is warned profusely.

This, however, does not deter Shinnojo who is determined to put his plans into action as soon as possible, in fact, he means to talk to the local regent at the castle for whom he tastes food, this being his current samurai duties this very day. Unfortunately, before he gets a chance to voice his plans, he is taken violently ill. Thankfully, due to his strong and healthy constitution he survives but suffers the sideeffect of loosing his sight. At first there is hope that this may only be temporary although the doctor attending soon resigns to the fact that his patient will not recover and remain blind for life. Kayo takes the precaution of having her beloved husband's weapons removed in order to prevent him from killing himself which is tradition amongst the higher chaste' of the samurai and is determined to find a way out of the current situation.

Shinnojo's relatives, on the surface, seem to be concerned and wanting to help albeit only as long as they are not required to dig into their own pockets. Kayo is eventually urged to ask the head of security for help a selfish man who is taken by her beauty and offers to do what he can such as talk to the regent to find a solution. And thus the overall healing process is taking twists and turns with unavoidable repercussions

Yes, yet another feature in a foreign tongue making the reading of subtitles unavoidable. However, cast and crew provide such a magnificent end product combined with beautiful, even serene scenery that it is a task easily and gladly accomplished. There are some sword fights but the main storyline rallies around the subject Love and Honor in the world of the samurai.

Learn more about this author, Doris E Rufli.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.