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Introduction: Sanshiro Sugata, Courtesy, and Budo
The first film of the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa was Sanshiro Sugata. Based on Tsuneo Tomita's book recounting the beginnings of judo in the Meiji era, it follows the fortunes of Sanshiro Sugata, a young man who travels to the city to learn jujutsu ... from a famous teacher.1 The teacher turns out to be a dissipated alcoholic, and his students vulgar thugs. After watching these students get thrashed by the founder of a new martial art, judo ..., Sugata begs to learn from this teacher. Much of the film follows his physical, ethical, and spiritual development from an angry and headstrong young brute to a calm and selfless young man. One of the most powerful scenes in the film is its penultimate fight, which pits Sugata against the head of the rival jujutsu school, Hansuke Murai. While the latter has given up his alcoholism, he still represents a dangerous threat to Sugata and to the reputation of his teacher's school. Indeed, the prize of the tournament is the opportunity to train Tokyo's police forces.and the social and economic capital associated with this. Against this backdrop of past enmity and present risk, we might expect Sugata and Murai to behave rudely, aggressively, and callously. Yet this is not what happens. Murai treats Sugata with respect, bowing courteously, smiling when his opponent's judogi ... rips, and asking politely: "Shall we begin?" While the aging and ailing Murai gives his all, his younger opponent is simply too swift, too strong, and too proficient. the older fighter is almost killed by the force of Sugata's throws. Murai tries to stand, and courageously faces his opponent again and again, but he soon admits defeat. As Murai is carried from the arena, he thanks Sugata sincerely for the match, praising the younger man's effort and ability. Clearly moved, Sugata says luck was with him, but Murai shakes his head and falls into unconsciousness. Sugata tells him to take care, and soon visits him in his home to take dinner and tea. Their relationship after the fight is one of civility, politeness, and care.
What struck me about this scene was not only the intensity of feeling, but also...