My Proposal

Proposal-LAST SAMURAI



I am re-writing the movie Last Samurai for my first assessment currently, because I’m quite interested in the orientalism. As Edward Said (1978) states that orientalism refers to how does the western designers, writers and artists depicts the various aspects of eastern cultures in their own points of view (Edward, 1978).


And this movie mainly reflects that how an American warrior, Nathan Algren, brings himself into contact with Japanese Samurai from 1876 to 1877 in Japan. Also, I am re-writing this story in Algren’s perspective. The film place great emphasis on a radical conflict between ancient and modern fighting method. But I will focus on Algren’s attitude about the spirit of the Japanese Samurai. As a western warrior, he recovers his soul from experiencing the traditional eastern Samurai culture. Also, he once again observed and learnt a real warrior’s loyalty, courage and honour from the Japanese Samurai.


This is the first draft which I have written.But I have't finish yet.




I sat up in bed, and walked out of this tiny cabin slowly. I really want to go for a blow. As evening came the sun faded into darkness. It is a beauteous evening, calm and free. But winter is coming soon and the sea breeze blowing on my face is a little bit uncomfortable. This steamship is churning its way across the great Pacific in a steady rate. I am standing right on the deck, looking out into the endless waves, with the whole world as far as I can see on all sides.


I am not too sure how many days we spend at sea. I am going to Japan because I am hired by Omura a few days ago. Five hundred bucks per week. My job is to train Orientals to soldiers and help suppressed the rebellion of a Japanese tribal leader, named Katsumoto. Apparently this is only job which I am suited. Actually I won’t be afraid of anything in the battlefield. And I have taken part in the American Civil War and Indian Wars. However, I am haunted by massacre of Native American civilians at the Battle of Washita River. Many old people, women and young children were killed by my chief and colleagues. I especially can’t forget that an Indian girl died, but her eyes stayed open. I often dream about these horrible scenes of massive slaughters. Sometimes I even think that I have already lost a warrior’s courage and spirit.


“What is the Samurai?” I can’t help and think aloud. Suddenly I experience extremely cold. I went back to the cabin, open my suitcase, and inside is my U.S. army uniform without insignia. It is seemed to be new still. I dress it up, this immediately reminds me those scenes of massive slaughters again, and soon I take it off. I used to feel no past, no future and hopeless after I retired from the army. But this time, I am going to take up my duty as a soldier. The sky is becoming darker and darker. “What is the Samurai?” I am still keep thinking about this.


Next morning, as the steamship arrived in Yokohama Harbour, green fields, wood houses and crowded streets came into insight. It is a grim, rainy day. The mountains seem to be hazy in the distance. I don’t feel at ease at this strange country. A fat guy waits for the arrival of us on the dock. And a series of rickshaws await our voyagers which besides him.
“Excuse me? Are you Captain Algren? I presume?” This fat guy asks.
“Yes!” I replied.
“Jolly good! May I introduce myself first? I’m Simon Graham. Did you have a good journey?” He asks politely.
“Not bad.” I said.
Bagley gets into a rickshaw with Omura. I climb a rickshaw beside Graham. He smiles at me and wags his tongue and talk about his knowledges about Japan all the time.


“Twenty years ago, this is quite a small town. Now you can look at it. You might be able to easily find that the Japanese Emperor is mad for all things western. However, Samurai believe to its changing too fast and touch theirs benefit. They abide by its old and traditional rules. So there is a great conflict between modern and ancient culture in Japan now. So the guy, Omura, try to employ every western expert as much as he can, such as lawyers from France, engineers from Germany, architects from Holland. Of course, like you, a professional warrior from America. Also, me, I am from British, some years ago, I was soon relieved of my position……………….” He becomes more and more expansive.


I don’t quite like this talkative man actually. Strange country, bustling streets, everything is new to me. So I reply nothing and my eyes are staring at those pedestrians at this crowd street. Many Japanese women all made their faces like white paint on the wall. It is said that they are geishas. Some Japanese men are wearing the western suits but some of them are still wearing their traditional clothes.


“We are going to meet the Japanese Emperor tomorrow in his palace. “ Graham suddenly interrupts my thinking.
“Alright!” I replied him with impatient mood.
This fatty guy shut off his mouse and keeps in silence. He may know what is good for him at the moment.


Next morning, I, Graham and my chief, Bagley approach the ancestral palace. The broad steps in front of the palace made it looks very dignified. Graham starts to share his valuable experiences again with us while we are climbing the majestic approach.


“Gentlemen, mind the step. It is really steep.” Graham was out of his breath but he continues to talk: “You know, there were no any commoner ever have a change to see the Emperor during these two hundred years in Japan. What an absolute great opportunity is it? And you must remember that the Emperor is a wise man and only ………………”

“So which proprieties should we observe later on?” Bagley interrupts this fatty guy and asks. He seems to give a damn about what he is saying.
I also believe it is honour to us. But I don’t want to ask anything from him, so just listen. Because I dislike Simmon’s bossy and lofty attitudes about my enemy, Japanese Samurais. He is not a warrior, but I am. A real solider never looks down upon his enemies.


“You may look at the Emperor, but do not speak unless he asks something to you first. Of course if he stands you must bow, if he bows you must bow lower than him. Do I look presentable today?” This fatty guy asks back to us.


We didn’t reply anything to him and continue our way. I guess both of us feels a little bit nervous and worry about this meeting.


“I haven’t worn this nearly ten years.” Graham replied himself.


Actually I have ever heard from Omura said that this divine Japanese emperor is an intelligent and curious young man. But I think that a really warrior not only is loyal to the Emperor, but also should know more about the enemies. “What is the Samurai” I am still wondering this question.


We finally reach the entrance of the imperial palace.





To be continued.


Could you please give some comments and suggestions? I'd very appreciate that.