http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmZGiL8OGdE
I’ve been enjoying reading through the archives over at Dojorat lately. I really like his perspective on things.
His recent posts seem to be inspired by my recent run-in with the xingyi teacher. Basically, Dojorat’s conclusion is that we should embrace our “inner barbarians.” Yeah, I guess if people are going to assume that you’re always a barbarian, then perhaps you should revel in it and learn to enjoy it.
Looking at the movie clips he has up of vikings and such, I was reminded of my favorite Eastern barbarian — the “Shogun Assassin” in the clip above. He is a strong and capable individual that bucks the system and makes his own way — something that would make him a barbarian in Asian culture. My kind of guy. 
So here’s a clip from the movie in tribute to all us barbarians out there — whether Eastern or Western.
3 responses so far ↓
1 jonathan liljeblad // May 28, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Shogun Assassin?
this was also known by its manga name: Lone Wolf and Cub. there’s an entire series of manga upon which the entire series of movies was based–and there is a lot of both.
this brings back fond memories. Lone Wolf and Cub ranks among my most favorite products of Japanese culture. there’s also Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. that, and the revival of Miyamoto Musashi (Japanese network NHK had a year-long miniseries dedicated to the life of Miyamoto Musashi, good stuff)…
it’s funny that a culture that is so identified with conformity and obedience ends up periodically idolizing historical individualists and iconoclasts like Miyamoto Musashi, and fictional ones like Lone Wolf and Zatoichi.
2 Dojo Rat // May 28, 2007 at 11:17 pm
That was great!!
3 chessman71 // May 28, 2007 at 11:19 pm
When I was in Japan, I did some research on Musashi. I even talked to my iaido teacher about him. I was surprised to find out that he was not well-thought of; although why that is made more sense as I thought about it.
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