Masculinity In The Last Samurai

The Japanese culture of samurai always presents male image full of masculinity. The film called "The Last Samurai” will use to analyze the masculinity in Japan present in the media content. In definition, masculinity is socially and culturally constructed that exists on the basis of the biological differences. It about the traits that culture assigns to male and composed of the social codes of behavior while male learn to reproduce the traits in a particular way. The socially given ideal male is the ultra-masculine male who is powerful, strong, independent, leadership, aggressive, and have high social status.

In the film, the dominant version of masculinity is composed of male violence and male friendship. Those violence actions are seen as

He is in the dominant positions of man and female. From the conversation between Algren and Taka, it can know that all housework is done by the female, as evidenced to show female is in a subordinate position. Although male is privileged than female, others samurai still need to follow Katsumoto 's order as Katsumoto is their leader. For example, Ujio wants to kill Algren for revenge. Yet, Uijo stops to hurt Algren when Katsumoto says "stop". Katsumoto also portrayed a cool and intellect image. He seldom expresses his emotional feeling even his son plans to stay in the war field and dedicate his life to war. Katsumoto is smart and differences from other samurai. He is the teacher of the emperor, and persuade the emperor to refuse Westernization in an indirect way, which reminds emperor to review the past wisdom. he also well-educated who can speak decent English, write poems, as well as to keep Algren 's life in order to well defeat one 's enemy. Katsumoto also strong-minded and ambitious. Even though Katsumoto knows he will lose in the war and face a great power disparity between the military power, he never gives up and wants to assist the emperor to make Japan becomes stronger. Those highlights that male need to rational, self-controlled, violent, and ambitious. If male fulfills the criteria of Japanese hegemonic masculinity, they are

They are more educated and well-balanced that physical fitness is less important than good manners. This kind of masculinity still in a dominant position and success-oriented that both emperor and Omura has high social status and is rich. Yet, the emperor is less masculine than Katsumoto. Sometimes, the emperor shows his weakness and hesitation in front of other. He is not sure the way to lead Japan becomes a strong country. Though the emperor decides to adopt the western culture and Katsumoto is his subordinate, the emperor is not willing to refuse Katsumoto 's suggestion in the meeting. It is much different from the traditional masculinity that male need to be determined and have a good leadership