TW: The movie represents violence, sexual references, blood and has other trigger warnings. This review will not.
Amid the blooming Sakura trees, a Samurai and his daughter are trying to make their way in the world. Cast out from their hometown, they live a poor but honest life. We see our Samurai, Kakunoshin Yanagida, teaching others to play Go, carving personalised signature stamps (hanko) and negotiating to extend the date for his already late rent. We are witnesses to his life changing its course when he intercedes on behalf of a pawn shop owner in conflict with another samurai. This pawn shop owner becomes an important player in the story as an avid Go player, and an unofficial student of Kakunoshin Yanagida, learning to be an honourable man.
The story of Kakunoshin Yanagida is a Japanese drama, set in the Edo period. The set designs are elegant, transformative, and perfectly suited for the era. The lighting has been carefully chosen for each scene, drawing the audience in with each slight shifting of mood. In a moment towards the end of the movie, we are treated to a backdrop of a breathtaking, glimmering sunset before the set morphs into a thoughtful, candlelit space. With shoji screens and doors assisting the lighting throughout, adding layers of complexity as well as being used by the characters to give the audience some insight into their inner thoughts, the space and lighting feel as though they have been created and used with care and consideration.
I will admit I am no expert on Japanese clothing, but I could tell the kimonos in Bushidō were each carefully considered for every scene. For example, if a character were feeling helpless, or as though misfortune were on their doorstep, we would see them wearing dark colours, as opposed to their previously brighter fabrics. The glimpse we get to see of women discussing their kimonos was with the utmost respect for the garment, and it was not expressively mentioned, but Kakunoshin Yanagida’s own outfits are clean and well cared for, as are his swords. Of which we only see unsheathed when it is absolutely necessary.
The camera work brings the story to life, with a variety of techniques to keep the story alive and thriving. With shaky vintage filters to represent memories, an impressive use of blurring during the scene, and some heart-wrenching still moments, the camera guides us through the story with ease. There was never a moment when I found myself feeling overwhelmed by what was on the screen, or wondering where I was supposed to be looking. My personal favourite was a sideways tracking shot, overflowing with top-quality choreography.
Kakunoshin Yanagida might be poor, but he is striving to live his life as honourably as he can, while playing Go fair and square. He is a man of great self-control, but of course what’s a movie without some conflict? When we are treated to the conflicting moments in the movie, Kakunoshin Yanagida transforms into another person, filling the screen with his presence and emotion. I won’t give away too much, but he becomes vengeance, fulfilling his destiny.
Bushidō is a tale of revenge, family, and honour. It is as intense as it is gentle, as brash as it is thoughtful, and as hateful as it is filled with love. The story is a slow burn, but once it has lit, be prepared for a rollercoaster of a journey.
To book tickets to Bushido, please visit https://japanesefilmfestival.net/film/bushido/.
