Cultural Contrasts Between Western and Eastern Civilizations
Many people compare Western and Eastern civilizations. Clothing, food, customs, and other aspects of life in these two regions differ significantly. In Western culture, practicality and functionality usually prevail, while in Eastern culture, more attention is paid to aesthetics and tradition. For example, Westerners often wear clothes that allow them to move freely, while Easterners prefer traditional costumes like kimonos.
Character Transformation in The Last Samurai
However, there are exceptions. In the movie The Last Samurai, one of the main characters, Captain Nathan Algren, begins his journey as a typical representative of Western civilization. He wears comfortable and practical clothes, eats Western food, and adheres to Western customs (Kohn, 2022).
However, as he spent more time in Japan, he began to change. He becomes more restrained, begins to respect the traditions of Eastern culture, and even starts wearing kimonos. This is an excellent example of character transformation and shows that cultures can interact and influence each other.
Parallels Between The Last Samurai and U.S. Events of the 1860s–1880s
The events that occurred in the movie The Last Samurai can be compared to an important event that took place in the United States in the 1860s-1880s, the period of Reconstruction. In both cases, there was a struggle between two cultures, and ultimately, one had to adapt to the other (Kohn, 2022). In Japan, samurai and kimonos were banned, and Japanese culture was suppressed in favor of the West. In the United States, black people were deprived of their rights and freedoms and were forced to adapt to white culture. In both cases, significant changes occurred, but ultimately, people from both cultures could preserve their unique features and traditions.
However, unlike the Reconstruction era in the United States, the conflict between Western and Eastern cultures in the movie The Last Samurai did not have an obvious winner (Kohn, 2022). Instead, the characters in the movie found a compromise and a way to combine the best of both cultures. Captain Nathan Algren and Samurai Katsumoto joined forces to protect Japanese culture and traditions while using Western technologies and tactics to achieve their goals.
Thus, The Last Samurai is a historical epic about the conflict between two cultures. It is an example of how cultures can intertwine and impact each other without losing their uniqueness and traditions. At the same time, the events in the movie can be compared to a significant historical period in the United States, showing that interaction and conflict between cultures are universal phenomena that can occur in any society at any time.
Reference
Kohn, H. (2022). Western civilization in the Near East. Taylor & Francis Limited.