---
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title: "Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]"
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---

# Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

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## Description

Following the collapse of his clan, an unemployed samurai ( Ran's Tatsuya Nakadai) arrives at the manor of Lord Iyi, begging to commit ritual suicide on his property. Iyi's clansmen, believing the desperate ronin is merely angling for a new position, try to force him to eviscerate himself— but they have underestimated his beliefs and his personal brand of honor. Winner of the 1963 Cannes Film Festival's Special Jury Prize, Harakiri , directed by Masaki Kobayashi ( The Human Condition ) is a fierce evocation of individual agency in the face of a corrupt and hypocritical system.

Review: A Lasting and Truly Amazing Cinematic Experience... - Bushido, the way of the samurai, in theory, provides a noble idea, but like all ideas, some change to fit personal goals and agendas. Derived from four major philosophical and spiritual sources (Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Zen) the samurai generated the Bushido, as the samurai had to be fearless, enlightened, and reflective while displaying both compassion and self-control. The samurai sought the true way to become the ultimate warrior where he displayed respect and reverence for both friend and foe. For centuries, the samurai had sought an inner path to enlightenment, righteousness, and dexterity while serving a clan with their skills in swordsmanship. Here Masaki Kobayashi, a proponent against authoritarian power, directs a samurai tale that illustrates how the concept of the Bushido transforms into a self-serving design. In the year 1630, the island that now goes under its native name, Nippon, also known as Japan to westerners, was only in its beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted for some 250 years. The major difference with the Tokugawa compared to previous military leaders was that they unified their powers while exterminating smaller and less prosperous clans. It left numerous samurai without masters, as they had to drift into an unemployed existence also known as ronin. In Harakiri, known as Seppuku, in Japan, the audience learns about the socioeconomic and political changes that a ronin faced after the loss of a position while suffering from poverty and hunger. This story is set within the walls of the Iyi clan's stronghold. The audience should also know that the Iyi clan was a supporter of the Tokugawa shogunate. Images of the Iyi clan's traditional armor open the film with a hauntingly stark presence, as the dark background contrasts the armor while fog drifts aimlessly around the armor. Analogously, the opening imagery presents a notion of a dark, resistive, and hollow presence, as no human fills the armor. It also provides the impression of lacking compassion while this clan's symbol represents the clan's merciless power and might. Eventually, the imagery forcefully fades into reality where it sits on the clan's high seat overlooking the clan and its fiefdom. Out of the Iyi clan's log, a narration informs the viewer about a samurai and former retainer of the Fukashima Clan that arrives to the Iyi clan's grounds, which brings the audience back in time through a flashback. This man is Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai). Hanshiro requests to use the Iyi clan's forecourt of the Iyi's stronghold for a ritual suicide (harakiri) where the samurai cuts open his own abdomen in order to uphold his honor. Before the clan approves of his request, the senior counselor of the house of Iyi, Kageyu Saito (Rentaro Mikuni) meets with him. In his meeting, Kageyu informs Hanshiro about a recent incident where another man arrived who made a similar request. Together with Hanshiro the audience learns that other ronin have made the same request in the hope of obtaining a position, or getting a little money. However, the Iyi clan does not deviate, as they will make sure that the ronin executes harakiri by following the rules of Bushido. The story does not deter Hanshiro who remains steadfast in his decision of performing harakiri. Well spread hearsay has reached Hanshiro's ears that the Iyi clan possesses a number of terrific swordsmen, as he requests one to be his assistant. The assistant's sword skills will serve the purpose of decapitated the Hanshiro's head when the pain of gutting himself becomes too painful, which in a way helps save face, no pun intended. However, none of the men that he requests are present, as they all are absent for the day due to illness. Yet, Hanshiro requests one of these men, as he wants the job done properly. Consequently, Kageyu sends for them, and while they wait Hanshiro begins to share his life story for Kageyu and the present samurai. Hanshiro's story is a perplexing and mesmerizing tale that will pull the audience in several unexpected directions, as director Kobayashi portrays a strong criticism of authoritarian rule of Iyi clan and their abuse of the Bushido. Kobayashi's vision does not only reflect of historical incidents several centuries ago, but also, he freely criticizes the abusiveness of despotic power which shows complete disregard for the individual. This is something he personally experienced as a private, even though he was offered an officer position, in World War II, a war he referred to as, "the culmination of human evil." Now less than two decades after the war, Kobayashi ironically sets the tale during the Tokugawa shogunate, which we now know exists no more. This knowledge serves an intentional reminder that despotic rule never lasts, as people eventually will always overcome the oppressiveness, as they did after World War II. In regards to the aftermath of both World War II and the Tokugawa shogunate, Kobayashi points out that the individuals of the lower socioeconomic levels suffer far worse than those in power, as those in power always find away to bend the rules to their favor. Harakiri offers much more than mere sword fight, as Kobayashi allows the audience to reflect over the social application of the Bushido and the abuse of the samurai code. In addition, Kobayashi playfully applies masterful symbolism that intentionally criticizes the political perspective of totalitarian rule in a jidaigeki (also known as chambara, or sword fight in a period film that takes place between 1600 and 1868.) This is why Harakiri emerges as one of the bewildering cinematic masterpieces that compares with Rashômon (1950), with its mysterious element, and Seven Samurai (1954) by Kurosawa and Miyamoto Musashi's samurai trilogy with its social impact in the shadow of Bushido. Lastly, through the combination of brilliant camerawork, a clever script, and terrific performances by the cast all are come together under Kobayashi's skillful direction that leaves the viewers with a lasting and truly amazing cinematic experience.
Review: A Jewel - There is no question that this is the best Samurai movie ever made. Masaki Kobayashi's film is an indictment of the hypocrisy of the establishment, any establishment, would it be in feudal 17th Century Japan or in any other time. Dogma, on which the establishment's authority rests, is evil. The established, codified order, with all its smoke and mirrors, must be preserved at all costs, and nothing must be allowed to come in its way. It is the duty of each member of any government, organization, church, or brotherhood not to spare any effort and to go to any length to protect the appearances and status quo, to achieve this essential goal of survival. The end justifies the means, and no lie or deceit can be eliminated if this survival is at stake. In Japan, Seppuku is the formal term for ritual suicide by disembowelment. Harakiri, as it is known in the West, is the common term, which literally means "stomach cutting." It was an integral part of bushido, the code of conduct of the samurai warrior class. Seppuku was ordered by a superior as punishment to redeem some offence, or chosen over a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy. In both cases, it demonstrated the honor, courage, loyalty, and high moral character of the individual. Except when performed on a battlefield, it was a very formal ceremony, requiring certain etiquette, witnesses and considerable preparation. Harakiri is a particularly painful and rather messy way of ending one's days. In this ritual, the "performer" opens his abdomen, starting from left to right and then finishing from top toward bottom. But there is so need to be left for hours contemplating one's entrails. Another swordsman acting as a "second," called kaishakunin, is standing by to decapitate the departing at a pre-arranged moment in the ceremony. Lord Ieyasu Tokugawa, who founded Japan's last great shogunate dynasty in 1603, ordered the practice of harakiri to be discontinued by both secondary and primary retainers. Later on, in 1663, a stronger edict from Lord Nobutsuna Matsudaira of Izu, put an end to the practice altogether. By that time, the ritual had become an idle formalism, and the "performer" was decapitated at the instant he took his sword out of the scabbard, thus avoiding a painful death. In some instances, the sword was replaced by a fan. Hanshiro Tsugomo (Tatsuya Nakadai) comes to the castle of the Iyi Clan to seek revenge for the humiliation and cruel death of his son-in-law, Anjiwa Motome (Akira Ishihama). Kobayashi is a superb storyteller, and in a slow and deliberate rhythm, he develops his story, which could have been taken from the pages of the Iliad or of the Mahabharata. The tension grows, as the Clan members slowly realize that they are in turn being humiliated by this stranger who truly believe in the samurai code of honor: he must be terminated to prevent him to broadcast his truth. The final duel with the master swordsmen of the Clan, Hikukuro Omodaka, on the Plains of Gojin-in, is like a meditation, a ballet of death. The film ends in a spectacular combat, and the coup de grace to Hanshiro Tsugomo's seppuku is fittingly not applied by a gallant swordsman, but a cowardly platoon of muskets. Even to the end, the samurai honor code has been violated by the Clan. The screenplay by Shinobu Hashimoto is based on a novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi. The cinematography, by Yoshio Miyajima, in black and white, is gorgeous. Many on the shots are haiku-like in the imagery. The musical score, written for an ensemble of ancient instruments and percussion by the renowned classical composer Toru Takemitsu, is used sparingly throughout the film. The music speaks as the dialogs sing. As Toshiro Mifune has long been associated with the success of Kurosawa's films, so are Kogayashi's films enhanced by the brilliant interpretation of Tatsuya Nakadai (also staring in the leading roles in Kurosawa's Kagemusha,and Ran). This outstanding actor contributed further to the success of this director's films, Kwaidan and the Samurai Rebellion. Although taking place almost five centuries ago during the Tokugawa Shogunate, this film is also a strong denunciation of the entrenched cultural legacy of coercive rituals, blind obedience, and chauvinism that resulted in the tragedy of the Pacific War.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Contributor | Akira Ishihama, Masaki Kobayashi, Rentaro Mikuni, Tatsuya Nakadai |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 627 Reviews |
| Format | Blu-ray |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 2 hours and 13 minutes |
| Studio | The Criterion Collection |

## Product Details

- **Contributor:** Akira Ishihama, Masaki Kobayashi, Rentaro Mikuni, Tatsuya Nakadai
- **Format:** Blu-ray
- **Language:** English
- **Runtime:** 2 hours and 13 minutes
- **Studio:** The Criterion Collection

## Images

![Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61G8GzSp-8L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Lasting and Truly Amazing Cinematic Experience...
*by D***S on October 9, 2005*

Bushido, the way of the samurai, in theory, provides a noble idea, but like all ideas, some change to fit personal goals and agendas. Derived from four major philosophical and spiritual sources (Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Zen) the samurai generated the Bushido, as the samurai had to be fearless, enlightened, and reflective while displaying both compassion and self-control. The samurai sought the true way to become the ultimate warrior where he displayed respect and reverence for both friend and foe. For centuries, the samurai had sought an inner path to enlightenment, righteousness, and dexterity while serving a clan with their skills in swordsmanship. Here Masaki Kobayashi, a proponent against authoritarian power, directs a samurai tale that illustrates how the concept of the Bushido transforms into a self-serving design. In the year 1630, the island that now goes under its native name, Nippon, also known as Japan to westerners, was only in its beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted for some 250 years. The major difference with the Tokugawa compared to previous military leaders was that they unified their powers while exterminating smaller and less prosperous clans. It left numerous samurai without masters, as they had to drift into an unemployed existence also known as ronin. In Harakiri, known as Seppuku, in Japan, the audience learns about the socioeconomic and political changes that a ronin faced after the loss of a position while suffering from poverty and hunger. This story is set within the walls of the Iyi clan's stronghold. The audience should also know that the Iyi clan was a supporter of the Tokugawa shogunate. Images of the Iyi clan's traditional armor open the film with a hauntingly stark presence, as the dark background contrasts the armor while fog drifts aimlessly around the armor. Analogously, the opening imagery presents a notion of a dark, resistive, and hollow presence, as no human fills the armor. It also provides the impression of lacking compassion while this clan's symbol represents the clan's merciless power and might. Eventually, the imagery forcefully fades into reality where it sits on the clan's high seat overlooking the clan and its fiefdom. Out of the Iyi clan's log, a narration informs the viewer about a samurai and former retainer of the Fukashima Clan that arrives to the Iyi clan's grounds, which brings the audience back in time through a flashback. This man is Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai). Hanshiro requests to use the Iyi clan's forecourt of the Iyi's stronghold for a ritual suicide (harakiri) where the samurai cuts open his own abdomen in order to uphold his honor. Before the clan approves of his request, the senior counselor of the house of Iyi, Kageyu Saito (Rentaro Mikuni) meets with him. In his meeting, Kageyu informs Hanshiro about a recent incident where another man arrived who made a similar request. Together with Hanshiro the audience learns that other ronin have made the same request in the hope of obtaining a position, or getting a little money. However, the Iyi clan does not deviate, as they will make sure that the ronin executes harakiri by following the rules of Bushido. The story does not deter Hanshiro who remains steadfast in his decision of performing harakiri. Well spread hearsay has reached Hanshiro's ears that the Iyi clan possesses a number of terrific swordsmen, as he requests one to be his assistant. The assistant's sword skills will serve the purpose of decapitated the Hanshiro's head when the pain of gutting himself becomes too painful, which in a way helps save face, no pun intended. However, none of the men that he requests are present, as they all are absent for the day due to illness. Yet, Hanshiro requests one of these men, as he wants the job done properly. Consequently, Kageyu sends for them, and while they wait Hanshiro begins to share his life story for Kageyu and the present samurai. Hanshiro's story is a perplexing and mesmerizing tale that will pull the audience in several unexpected directions, as director Kobayashi portrays a strong criticism of authoritarian rule of Iyi clan and their abuse of the Bushido. Kobayashi's vision does not only reflect of historical incidents several centuries ago, but also, he freely criticizes the abusiveness of despotic power which shows complete disregard for the individual. This is something he personally experienced as a private, even though he was offered an officer position, in World War II, a war he referred to as, "the culmination of human evil." Now less than two decades after the war, Kobayashi ironically sets the tale during the Tokugawa shogunate, which we now know exists no more. This knowledge serves an intentional reminder that despotic rule never lasts, as people eventually will always overcome the oppressiveness, as they did after World War II. In regards to the aftermath of both World War II and the Tokugawa shogunate, Kobayashi points out that the individuals of the lower socioeconomic levels suffer far worse than those in power, as those in power always find away to bend the rules to their favor. Harakiri offers much more than mere sword fight, as Kobayashi allows the audience to reflect over the social application of the Bushido and the abuse of the samurai code. In addition, Kobayashi playfully applies masterful symbolism that intentionally criticizes the political perspective of totalitarian rule in a jidaigeki (also known as chambara, or sword fight in a period film that takes place between 1600 and 1868.) This is why Harakiri emerges as one of the bewildering cinematic masterpieces that compares with Rashômon (1950), with its mysterious element, and Seven Samurai (1954) by Kurosawa and Miyamoto Musashi's samurai trilogy with its social impact in the shadow of Bushido. Lastly, through the combination of brilliant camerawork, a clever script, and terrific performances by the cast all are come together under Kobayashi's skillful direction that leaves the viewers with a lasting and truly amazing cinematic experience.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Jewel
*by T***N on April 8, 2003*

There is no question that this is the best Samurai movie ever made. Masaki Kobayashi's film is an indictment of the hypocrisy of the establishment, any establishment, would it be in feudal 17th Century Japan or in any other time. Dogma, on which the establishment's authority rests, is evil. The established, codified order, with all its smoke and mirrors, must be preserved at all costs, and nothing must be allowed to come in its way. It is the duty of each member of any government, organization, church, or brotherhood not to spare any effort and to go to any length to protect the appearances and status quo, to achieve this essential goal of survival. The end justifies the means, and no lie or deceit can be eliminated if this survival is at stake. In Japan, Seppuku is the formal term for ritual suicide by disembowelment. Harakiri, as it is known in the West, is the common term, which literally means "stomach cutting." It was an integral part of bushido, the code of conduct of the samurai warrior class. Seppuku was ordered by a superior as punishment to redeem some offence, or chosen over a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy. In both cases, it demonstrated the honor, courage, loyalty, and high moral character of the individual. Except when performed on a battlefield, it was a very formal ceremony, requiring certain etiquette, witnesses and considerable preparation. Harakiri is a particularly painful and rather messy way of ending one's days. In this ritual, the "performer" opens his abdomen, starting from left to right and then finishing from top toward bottom. But there is so need to be left for hours contemplating one's entrails. Another swordsman acting as a "second," called kaishakunin, is standing by to decapitate the departing at a pre-arranged moment in the ceremony. Lord Ieyasu Tokugawa, who founded Japan's last great shogunate dynasty in 1603, ordered the practice of harakiri to be discontinued by both secondary and primary retainers. Later on, in 1663, a stronger edict from Lord Nobutsuna Matsudaira of Izu, put an end to the practice altogether. By that time, the ritual had become an idle formalism, and the "performer" was decapitated at the instant he took his sword out of the scabbard, thus avoiding a painful death. In some instances, the sword was replaced by a fan. Hanshiro Tsugomo (Tatsuya Nakadai) comes to the castle of the Iyi Clan to seek revenge for the humiliation and cruel death of his son-in-law, Anjiwa Motome (Akira Ishihama). Kobayashi is a superb storyteller, and in a slow and deliberate rhythm, he develops his story, which could have been taken from the pages of the Iliad or of the Mahabharata. The tension grows, as the Clan members slowly realize that they are in turn being humiliated by this stranger who truly believe in the samurai code of honor: he must be terminated to prevent him to broadcast his truth. The final duel with the master swordsmen of the Clan, Hikukuro Omodaka, on the Plains of Gojin-in, is like a meditation, a ballet of death. The film ends in a spectacular combat, and the coup de grace to Hanshiro Tsugomo's seppuku is fittingly not applied by a gallant swordsman, but a cowardly platoon of muskets. Even to the end, the samurai honor code has been violated by the Clan. The screenplay by Shinobu Hashimoto is based on a novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi. The cinematography, by Yoshio Miyajima, in black and white, is gorgeous. Many on the shots are haiku-like in the imagery. The musical score, written for an ensemble of ancient instruments and percussion by the renowned classical composer Toru Takemitsu, is used sparingly throughout the film. The music speaks as the dialogs sing. As Toshiro Mifune has long been associated with the success of Kurosawa's films, so are Kogayashi's films enhanced by the brilliant interpretation of Tatsuya Nakadai (also staring in the leading roles in Kurosawa's Kagemusha,and Ran). This outstanding actor contributed further to the success of this director's films, Kwaidan and the Samurai Rebellion. Although taking place almost five centuries ago during the Tokugawa Shogunate, this film is also a strong denunciation of the entrenched cultural legacy of coercive rituals, blind obedience, and chauvinism that resulted in the tragedy of the Pacific War.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ the best Japanese movie ever???
*by P***I on July 31, 2012*

This has got to be one of the greatest artistic illustrations of rebellion against an oppressive and cunning authority. A timeless ordeal that has marred humanity since our infancy is brought here (in HARA KIRI) to the most stunning, effective and thought-provoking representation I've ever witnessed on film. The premise and the narrative are simple enough for anyone to comprehend, yet wrought with limitless subtlety to keep the thinker thinking for a very long time. This film will infinitely test the Draconian thinker as it's difficult for the rationalist to bend under passionate distress. But when humanity presents itself naked and powerless, even Samurai code is put to the test. This film is a terrific representation of both sides of a uniquely human equation. On one hand, we are bound to the authorities which we invent. On the other, we are bound to the humanity with which we are born. As honorable as it is to remain tenacious for a belief, it's just as honorable to fight relentlessly for survival. It's just plain wrong, however, for authority to manipulate the very honor for which it is regarded in order to spite or punish those who struggle to live. I can understand and respect punishment, but I will never respect or agree with punishment that is handed out fraudulently. An early character is this film commits hara kiri, believing that given his present circumstances, hara kiri is the most honorable and respectable way die. Unbeknownst to him, however, his superiors are using hara kiri as a means of punishment, made all the more brutal and inhumane through the use of a bamboo blade. Had the character committing hara kiri disclosed his situation to his superiors, or had his superiors asked the character to disclose his situation, the hara kiri and ensuing revenge plot might have been avoided entirely. But unfortunately, our unwavering fortitude under invented systems of belief and authority can and will inevitably lead to tragic ends. As far as the picture is concerned, Criterion nails it. Unless you're a raging cinephile, ignore the cropping criticisms. The experts at Criterion wouldn't crop unless it were absolutely necessary to improve the overall aesthetic virtues of the transfer. Regardless, the cropping is insignificant; the cinematography remains among the best ever. I was floored by some of the close-ups; they're really shocking. It's obvious after seeing this film where modern Japanese filmmakers find their inspiration. This is about as beautiful as black and white gets, the most beautiful b&w film I've seen being THE WHITE RIBBON on BD. This transfer comes pretty darn close to that, and this film is how old again? Criterion are good at respectfully handling grain. So, no issues there. There are spots and scratches every now and then, but they're extremely few and insignificant. If it weren't for their occasional appearance, it would be difficult to discern the age of this movie. The audio is mono. What more can be said about it? Yes, it's as true to the source as you're going to get, and it's extremely clean, but it's still mono. I hope you enjoy this film as much as I did :)

## Frequently Bought Together

- Harakiri (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
- Seven Samurai (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]
- Yojimbo / Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]

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