I just finished watching the George Clooney movie “Up In The Air” and somehow I asked myself what a samurai would do if he were to lose his job.
Well, first of all I believe there is this fascination for samurai in general.
So, what actually is a samurai?
Samurai is a term for the so-called military nobility during pre-industrial Japan (yes, there was such a thing!).
By the end of the 12th century, only 10% of the total population were considered samurai who served in the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class.
Samurai followed the Bushido or “Way of the warrior” and basically they were loyal to their master unto death.
But what happens to a samurai who loses his job resp. master?
He becomes a so-called “Ronin” whose main motivation is no longer honor and duty, but money and survival.
A modern-day depiction was put on display in the 1998 Robert De Niro movie “Ronin“, also starring Jean Reno.
Several former special forces and intelligence service agents team up to steal a mysterious suitcase while dealing with shifting loyalties and alliances.
The movie’s trademark is the jaw-dropping car chases like this one:
The Scottish warrior, William Wallace, depicted in the movie Braveheart.
In 1995, Mel Gibson’s epic/drama film, which he produced and directed as well as starred in, was nominated for a total of 10 Oscars.
The movie did pretty well and actually won 5 Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture and Best Director.
Mel Gibson plays William Wallace, a Scottish warrior, who became a force to reckon with, during the First War of Scottish Independence from England around 1300 by opposing King Edward I of England.
After Wallace’s execution, the Scots eventually gain independence in 1314. The movie did a rather good job of showing the long and yet determined struggle to attain freedom all packed in 175 minutes.
At the end of this epic movie you too will be shouting, “F-R-E-E-E-E-E-D-O-M!”
“They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!”
Haka is considered the traditional dance form of New Zealand’s Maori.
Usually a group performs this posture dance which contains vigorous movements and stamping of the feet accompanied by shouting.
The All Blacks rugby union team has made a certain type of haka very popular.
However, this might have led to certain misconceptions.
I found out that haka are not exclusively war dances and they aren’t performed only by men. Sometimes they are performed by women, mixed groups, and some even by children.
In these cases, they are performed for amusement, as a hearty welcome to distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements or occasions.
War haka (peruperu) were originally performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and prowess in order to intimidate the opposition.
Haka has become an integral part of official welcome ceremonies for distinguished visitors such as foreign dignitaries.
According to reports the first New Zealand rugby team to tour overseas, namely in Australia in 1884, performed “a Maori war cry” or haka before each of its matches and it has been a tradition ever since.
Enjoy the video with the All Blacks and their version of haka:
