I am not here to give my opinion about the film (who cares what I think?) but rather to provide some ideas on how to use the film in the high school classroom.
Social Studies Questions
- Compare and contrast the following movie characters/historical figures: Nathan Algren/Jules Brunet, Katsumoto Moritsugu/Saigo Takamori, Mr. Omura/Okubo Toshimichi, and the cinematic Emperor Meiji with the real Emperor Meiji.
- Compare and contrast the events in the film with the historical Satsuma Rebellion.
- List the Japanese habits Nathan acquires while he stays in the village.
- Give two examples of how private conversations are at odds with public form.
- Identify the traditional arts and activities Nathan sees while he is at the village.
- What does Nobutada mean when he refers to “no mind”? How does that relate to martial arts?
- In what ways has Japan modernized itself in the film?
- What is Japan’s plan to resist Western colonization?
- What is the significance of the army soldiers who bow before the dead Katsumoto?
- At the end of the film, the emperor gives a short speech on how Japan will integrate Western technology into Japanese society. What does he say?