The term “Last Samurai” refers to the last practitioners of the traditional samurai way of life in Japan during the late 19th century. It is often associated with the historical context of Japan’s Meiji Restoration, a period of rapid modernization and Westernization. The “Last Samurai” symbolizes the conflict between the old feudal system and the new, modern state. This term can also evoke themes of honor, loyalty, and the struggle to maintain cultural identity amidst change. In popular culture, it is popularly linked to the film “The Last Samurai,” which portrays a Western man’s journey to understand and embrace the samurai ethos and way of life, reflecting the broader themes of tradition versus modernization.
NHK's new drama "Bakebake" unfolds in Shimane, featuring Fumiyo Kohinata as the resilient samurai Matsuno Kan'emon. Set during Japan's transformative Meiji era, Kan'emon embodies the struggle between tradition and modernity.…