So while I was watching this the first time, a few years ago, I realized that the Southern* pastime of shooting road-signs from a moving vehicle is basically the same sport as Yabusame. While purists from both camps would protest any comparisons, both sports involve steering with your legs, drinking rice-based beverages (saki and Busch Light), careful marksmanship and a lot of ancestor worship.
*Southern U.S., although sign-shooting is common nation-wide.
So while I was watching this the first time, a few years ago, I realized that the Southern* pastime of shooting road-signs from a moving vehicle is basically the same sport as Yabusame. While purists from both camps would protest any comparisons, both sports involve steering with your legs, drinking rice-based beverages (saki and Busch Light), careful marksmanship and a lot of ancestor worship.
*Southern U.S., although sign-shooting is common nation-wide.
I enjoyed this story in Kwaidan, but I admit that I was confused by the ending. The samurai didn't really deserve his fate, as he was genuinely remorseful when he returned to his first wife. He didn't need to be taught a lesson; he had already learned it.
I disagree: you forget about the tragic fate of his wife and that's what it matters in this tale. The vain samurai when he left home, sentenced his wife to die (maybe by suicide or starved). That's why she came bck as a ghost.
This particular story--in Hearn's great work, too, but ESPECIALLY as it's treated in this film--is so heartbreaking. And dreadful with suspense--while your heart's breaking for this woman, the sense of the truly awful grows and grows. And, ultimately, this story is... for lack of less vulgar words... scary as all hell!
I'm well-acquainted with the story of Lafcadio Hearn, impossible romantic. He only wanted to go native and become one of them. Alas, in the wake of the 1904 Russo-Japanese War an indiscriminate anti-western fervor gripped the land, and he was cast out. A heart attack put him out of his misery. I wonder if the Japs know how much of the standardization of their folklore they owe to the efforts of a mad Englishman.
I, too, am deeply engaged with this madman, and started a huge, incidental research project on Hearn, translation, cultural conquest, etc. etc. (Distracted me from my proper M.A. thesis on Joyce, which is consequently unfinished). In all my reading, though, I never heard anyone describe such a crucial part of his character so precisely, so well as you've done: a hopeless romantic. And, yes, "put out of his misery" by that merciful infarction. So nicely, and sympathetically, phrased. Bravo!
Englishman? with the risk of being accused of being a pedantic paddy.... I do believe he was half-greek half-Irish, only attended a British school for a while. Not enough to make him a britishman I would say...
Ya got me there. I should have dug a little deeper. He spent considerable time in America as well. I wish someone would do a movie about his New Orleans tales.
I think its his illusional hell (... at the end). He focused on his wife of the past. Remembering her kind ways, tho' common and beautiful, he focused on her long black hair... to bad he committed the crime against his paradise. It seems he turn back to his past uncertain of his life choices or not loving his lovely/powerful sucessful wife mabe. The demon his past actions created came to take him in the form he wanted to see. He sold his paradise out when he left her years before .~
Of all things to post on the inernet youhave posted one of my most beloved stories from perhaps one of the most beauifully crafted pieces of film of all time.
Thank you.
To mikebott: I think the beauty in the horrible ending of the "Black Hair" is that the viewer dosent know what she has become. In adition to that we don't even know what happens to the husband either. God I love this story so much...
best movie of all time
AtheistCitizen 2 months ago
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So while I was watching this the first time, a few years ago, I realized that the Southern* pastime of shooting road-signs from a moving vehicle is basically the same sport as Yabusame. While purists from both camps would protest any comparisons, both sports involve steering with your legs, drinking rice-based beverages (saki and Busch Light), careful marksmanship and a lot of ancestor worship.
*Southern U.S., although sign-shooting is common nation-wide.
bridgman 1 year ago
So while I was watching this the first time, a few years ago, I realized that the Southern* pastime of shooting road-signs from a moving vehicle is basically the same sport as Yabusame. While purists from both camps would protest any comparisons, both sports involve steering with your legs, drinking rice-based beverages (saki and Busch Light), careful marksmanship and a lot of ancestor worship.
*Southern U.S., although sign-shooting is common nation-wide.
bridgman 1 year ago
I enjoyed this story in Kwaidan, but I admit that I was confused by the ending. The samurai didn't really deserve his fate, as he was genuinely remorseful when he returned to his first wife. He didn't need to be taught a lesson; he had already learned it.
sonoki82 2 years ago
I disagree: you forget about the tragic fate of his wife and that's what it matters in this tale. The vain samurai when he left home, sentenced his wife to die (maybe by suicide or starved). That's why she came bck as a ghost.
gianca60 2 years ago
This particular story--in Hearn's great work, too, but ESPECIALLY as it's treated in this film--is so heartbreaking. And dreadful with suspense--while your heart's breaking for this woman, the sense of the truly awful grows and grows. And, ultimately, this story is... for lack of less vulgar words... scary as all hell!
falstaffswims 2 years ago
I'm well-acquainted with the story of Lafcadio Hearn, impossible romantic. He only wanted to go native and become one of them. Alas, in the wake of the 1904 Russo-Japanese War an indiscriminate anti-western fervor gripped the land, and he was cast out. A heart attack put him out of his misery. I wonder if the Japs know how much of the standardization of their folklore they owe to the efforts of a mad Englishman.
pinz2022 2 years ago
I, too, am deeply engaged with this madman, and started a huge, incidental research project on Hearn, translation, cultural conquest, etc. etc. (Distracted me from my proper M.A. thesis on Joyce, which is consequently unfinished). In all my reading, though, I never heard anyone describe such a crucial part of his character so precisely, so well as you've done: a hopeless romantic. And, yes, "put out of his misery" by that merciful infarction. So nicely, and sympathetically, phrased. Bravo!
falstaffswims 2 years ago
Thank you guys, this little bit of chat told me alot
unitron 2 years ago
Englishman? with the risk of being accused of being a pedantic paddy.... I do believe he was half-greek half-Irish, only attended a British school for a while. Not enough to make him a britishman I would say...
Usagi0227 2 years ago
Ya got me there. I should have dug a little deeper. He spent considerable time in America as well. I wish someone would do a movie about his New Orleans tales.
pinz2022 2 years ago
A moral tale of looking wealth and fortune away, while happiness and love are home.
slomoschon2000 3 years ago 4
Spot on Xactly!!!
unitron 3 years ago
I think its his illusional hell (... at the end). He focused on his wife of the past. Remembering her kind ways, tho' common and beautiful, he focused on her long black hair... to bad he committed the crime against his paradise. It seems he turn back to his past uncertain of his life choices or not loving his lovely/powerful sucessful wife mabe. The demon his past actions created came to take him in the form he wanted to see. He sold his paradise out when he left her years before .~
unitron 3 years ago
Of all things to post on the inernet youhave posted one of my most beloved stories from perhaps one of the most beauifully crafted pieces of film of all time.
Thank you.
To mikebott: I think the beauty in the horrible ending of the "Black Hair" is that the viewer dosent know what she has become. In adition to that we don't even know what happens to the husband either. God I love this story so much...
tubergoober 3 years ago
i know my japanese mythology pretty well- but i can't place what happens at the end of this story... what his wife has become.
mikebott 4 years ago
It is great!! So well filmed!! And the colours, the music, the sound: everything is perfect! One of the most enigmatic films I've never seen.
natashkk 4 years ago
That entire sequence is great! Thanks a lot.
Qong 4 years ago