Yojimbo Context Flashcards
What genre does Yojimbo elevate?
Yojimbo elevates the genre of the samurai film and chanbara film.
How does Yojimbo reflect Japan’s cultural landscape?
Yojimbo reflects Japan’s shifting cultural landscape and the global tensions of the 20th century.
What was Akira Kurosawa’s family background?
Akira Kurosawa came from an old samurai family.
What influence did Kurosawa’s father have on him?
Kurosawa’s father had a strong appreciation for Western culture, particularly French films and American cinema.
What event deeply affected Kurosawa’s outlook on life?
The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake and the suicide of his older brother.
What role did Kurosawa take at Toho Studios?
Kurosawa applied to be an assistant director at Toho Studios.
How long did Kurosawa train before directing?
Kurosawa wrote and edited for five years before he could direct.
Who is Toshiro Mifune?
Toshiro Mifune was an actor who collaborated with Kurosawa on 16 films.
What was Mifune’s initial career before acting?
Mifune initially worked as an aerial photographer.
What important aspect of Japanese culture is highlighted in Kurosawa and Mifune’s relationship?
Respect is a cornerstone of Japanese society.
In what year is Yojimbo set?
Yojimbo is set in 1860.
What societal transition is depicted in Yojimbo?
The transition from the Edo period to a modernizing Japan.
What does the wandering samurai in Yojimbo represent?
The wandering samurai represents the dying old tradition.
What global context surrounded the release of Yojimbo?
Yojimbo was released during the Cold War.
What significant historical events influenced Japan’s situation at the time of Yojimbo’s release?
The aftermath of World War II and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
What cultural clash is depicted in Yojimbo?
The clash between traditional values and modernization.
What cinematography technique is prominently used in Yojimbo?
The film employed long telephoto lenses, including a 500mm lens.
What scene exemplifies Kurosawa’s mastery of cinematography?
The famous dog scene.
What themes does Yojimbo explore?
Themes of power struggles, shifting alliances, and tradition versus progress.
What does Yojimbo critique about Japanese society in the 1960s?
The film serves as a critique of the Japanese government and societal norms.
