A Samurai and his Sword

[karadin.livejournal.com]

From recent discussion on the com, sparking by Lt. Colonel Wongkk's recent Word and Image post with Gackt as Kenshin holding a long sword, I thought the com might like to check out a recent NOVA special: Secrets of The Samurai Sword.

Much of the media we see relating our General of the Army comes directly from the deep connection modern Japan keeps with it's historic past, not just Gackt's portrayal of the warlord Uesugi Kenshin in the drama Fuurin Kazan but with fantasy warrior figures, such as Lau Wong, Genesis Rhapsodos and Gide Bellacourt. Gackt's own creation, a vampire warrior depicted in Diabolos carries a sword. Even the gentle-seeming purple-tressed Kamui Gackupo carries a sword!

To the Japanese, the sword is more than a weapon, it is also a sublime work of art, to some, it houses the eternal spirit of the warrrior who carried it. The code of the Samurai, Bushido, to which Gackt ascribes, holds that it is important to keep the sword sheathed drawing it only in utmost need. Therefore, the ubiquitous nature of the sword in manga, film, games and anime is a symbol of tradition, family, loyalty, honor, discipline and even restraint, in the eyes of the Japanese.

This particular NOVA special (there is a transcription of the entire episode if you cannot view) give great insight into the sword and what it means in Japanese culture, and is, I think, a wonderful way in which to understand what Gackt feels and what he tries to express in his art. And I feel proud to see a katana as part of our official community logo.

link:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/samurai/

Comments

[kohaku-chuu.livejournal.com]

thank you very much for the info, general^^
just wanted to add that Gackupo actually carries a musical instrument which looks like a katana -but the symbolism of it comes across anyway I guess;)

[karadin.livejournal.com]

I didn't want to saw 'vibrating sword' cos that gives a whole nother connotation. ;D

[kohaku-chuu.livejournal.com]

XDDDD

[tanfouk.livejournal.com]

When I was in Tokyo I spent a little time in a museum with ancient swords and blades on display. Many were suspended by nearly invisible cables and lit in the most dramatic fashion. I don't think I'm being unjust to the Japanese to say that there is a certain element of "eroticism of death" at work in their sword mythos. Of course, Western cultures have some of that, too. I wonder what a samurai would have thought about the European tournament scene.

[b-briarwood.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks for the link! I will definitely check that out this weekend.

[proud-snapist.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I will definitely check the link out. I love reading about Samurai culture and the Samurai sword. I feel such a great sense of awe surrounding it...awe in its strength, honor, justice, power, fierceness, and its flowing beauty.