1. Considering Hedataru to Najimu, “it describes both physical and psychological distances between individuals” (p.109). What are physical and psychological distances between General Kuribayashi and Saigo?
General Kuribayashi out numbers Saigo in years, experiences and knowledge, when pertaining to war. Overall there is a distance present between the two. Saigo seems to realize that Kuribayashi's experiences in war far surpass his own and in return his emotions reveal his submission to the General. Again Saigo fit well in distance of the general, or in other terms, because of his seen distance portrayed, he was under General Kuribayashi's authority, submittingly. looking at General Kuribayashi past life though, it seems that he has taken up some of the good cultural aspect from america. He seemed to have vast differences between him and the other Japanese. One other person that shared some of these differences was also another japanese authority who also lived in america for a time. I conclude that the differences of these two authority figures of the Japanese, one being Kuribayashi, both understood the enemy the most. Also they may have become found of some of American's culture ways, and in turn adopted them. Adopting aspect on other cultures could lead to increased wisdom, knowledge, experiences and overall increased visual awareness and perception. Knowing that general Kuribayashi had such differences, i think that he had a different view of Hedataru to Najimu. I think he would feel comfortable with being close to Saigo because of his background with Americans. In retrospect, Saigo kept his distance and Kuribayashi seemed that he wouldn't have minded if Saigo would have been closer.
2. Considering Hedataru to Najimu, how does psychological distance change between Saigo and Shimizu. What was changed between them?
At first there was a large distance between Saigo and Shimizu or ,also, a lack of understanding. Shimizu was the new guy who no one knew about and understood. This led to talk behind Shimizu's back ( which is highly disrespectfully and lame). Saigo knew nothing about him except that he was at a higher military position before him. This led to him concluding that he was a spy. It's strange how a lack of understanding for a individual led to such a negative thought. Sometimes meditation without mediating material first establish, can lead to a tangent of i ride so far from the truth. As the war progressed, Saigo and Shimizu both escaped self execution. This led to closeness since they were the last familiar face of the group and also because they had to plan and protect each other if they wanted to survive. The war was a enzyme to their metabolic relationship, that being a catalyst which sped up the reaction. overall, It seemed that there was a gift given that really heightened their relationship. Shimizu gave Saigo the gift of storytelling. This story was a humbling story which even more showed Shimizu's trust he had for Saigo. In the end Saigo seemed extremely upset to see his friend, Shimizu, dead, which is a far different reaction then one would have assumed in the beginning of the movie. they became total palls.
3. Considering The Do Spirits of Japan, Zen Buddhism is “ So thoroughly integrated into the Japanese psyche…” (p.73). What kinds of aspects did you see in the film? Explain the reason why you think so.
"The way" the Japanese move is in uniform, like the hundred legs of the centipede. Well first off the Japanese guys killed themselves in uniform. Crazy, is it not? of course it is. Also, the Japanese soldiers wanted to die for their country. they all followed the same way of thought for the most part. Crazy...
4. Considering Hedataru to Najimu, what does drinking (for General Kuribayashi) mean?
For Kuribayashi with an American background, drinking is like the right thing to do. For the Japanese though this is a serious change from Hedataru to Najimu which should not be handed out so easily. Kuribayashi was just trying to be a nice guy.
5. Considering Hedataru to Najimu and Shudan Ishiki, the sense of “uchi to soto” is more reinforced. What is the negative effect of “uchi to soto”? How is this shown in the film?
The Japanese say their different from the americans. They were just outsiders to them and were not as disciplined and lack courage, etc. They spoke poorly of the americans in the beginning of the movie when one of the soldiers stood up and explained their advantage over the americans. This view of the distal americans changed though when an americans letter from his mom was read. the Japanese realize that the americans were in a similar situation. That being that they had families and home left behind too.
6. Considering Shudan Ishiki, what is the negative effect of groupism in this film? Explain the scenes that demonstrate it.
Well group sudoku is negative. It seems like a waste to give up and just kill yourself. Whatever happen to bushidu, you know the working hard and stuff? In america there is a saying, "never give up, never surrender." In Japan you give up and then kill yourself. To me killing yourself should not be a possible situation and even more, killing yourself should not be contemplated about so regularly as a good decision How is giving up going to help the next soldiers in line? Shouldn't you fight to the end to kill one more soldier? And wouldn't one less opposing soldier bring you closer to victory? Idk, it just seems stupid. You are in war to survive and work hard yet you always have the norm of sudoku as an option. As far as i'm concerned such thoughts are a waste and shouldn't be thought, as it may dim ones focus on the goal of the war, that is to win, right? over for the so called "hard working" japanese, sudoku seems not to fit at all with that Title. It seems like a large contradiction in their culture. It's strange, I've heard people talk so highly about Buddhism, yet they don't see how selfish it is. Harsh way to put it i suppose, but wouldn't it be better to better everyone else around you before bettering yourself and your fam. If we are talking about improvements of selves then if one where to live a humble life with only the intention of improving others then how many selves would be improved? This is a vague analysis but it is one. I'm meaning, that the self improvement of many out ways the self-improvement of one or ones own family. The Japanese have worked together to improve one another but it was driven by a expected return. Anyways what i'm getting at is that killing yourself does not physically benefit others in battle. If you are to serve one person then that is one less person needing served. They could have lived to the end and help to their fullest ability instead of forcing an early death.
7. What is the connection between this film and “The Last Ronin”? Do you see “bushido” in this film? How do you think it affected this war? Explain the reasons.
The spirt was in this war of course. This was a war and they are japanese, and ronin were warriors and were the japanese before them. Overall, the spirit of the ronin seemed not to do the japanese any good when talking about successful war tactics. The Japanese always wanted to kill themselves and thought they were superior which is not wise if you want to win a war. You need to realize that the others your fighting against are human beings with minds that can think and shoot stuff. plus killing yourself does not help the out come of the war in your favor.
8. General Kuribayashi, Saigo, and Shimizu all fought in Iwo Jima, but their lives took a different turn in the end. How different are their views on the war, patriotism, and the Emperor? How did their different views influence their choices they made? What do you think about their choices?
Well at the end they know their enemies a little bit better then before. They became closer to the enemy and learned a little about them. this led these three mens views to wise up a bit. They no longer were only taught about the enemy in a school setting but were able to judge for themselves their enemies. They all seemed to think by the end of the of the movie how stupid the war was and began questioning the patriotism of war. After all, the same people who told them it was patriotic, taught them about the americans, and what do you know, those teachers may have taught them wrong. All three of these men wised up and began analyzing the present situation with a open mind. I'm sure they questioned a lot of things including if war was a good idea in the first place or maybe they even questioned if they were in the right in this war.
9. The soldiers told each other ”Let’s meet at Yasukuni Shrine,” before they committed suicide. What is the importance of Yasukuni Shrine? Today in Japan, every time high government officials like Prime Ministers visit Yasukuni Shrine, it becomes the source of controversy and protest. Why? What is your opinion on this issue?
Well sense people in Japan presently have different thoughts then they did awhile ago maybe the whole war and killing yourself isn't highly looked upon anymore. In my case i don't really care about what the Prime Ministers does and don't really believe he would just go their unless he was planing on a good photo op. and that's why.
10. What do you think about the movie comparing with American culture?
Americans are better then the Japanese people in every way. That's what i think. I hope you regret asking this....
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