Samurai swords again on cutting edge in 2 new films

Japanese samurai swords have existed thousands of years, but this year the ancient weapon is Hollywood’s newest toy.

Two new films showcase lead characters wielding the sword – Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” opening this weekend, and “The Last Samurai,” which will be released in December.

The Last Samurai” is set in the late 1870s and features Tom Cruise as a Civil War veteran who arrives in Japan to train the troops of the emperor to help the nation break away from the tradition of relying on employed samurai warriors.

Samurai sword history extends back to feudal Japan and the 12th century. The martial art of using the sword was developed from the earliest times by the warriors of Japan, and from the 14th century on by the samurai. The sword earns its fearsome reputation from its hardness and sharpness and from the fear and respect generated by the men who carried them.

Whenever Hollywood portrays any of the martial arts on the big screen, it’s both a blessing and a curse for southern New Jersey instructors of those disciplines.

On one hand, new audiences are introduced to these disciplines, and the curious stop by their local martial arts school to learn self-defense and discipline, which serious martial arts study instills. On the other hand, no one should walk out of either of the films and think they can buy a samurai sword and replicate what was seen on screen.

Parker, 49, said “Kill Bill” looks good and intrigues him even though “someone flying 100 feet with a sword isn’t realistic.” DeCasien, 70, heard about “The Last Samurai” because one of his swordplay students is interested in it. He knows Cruise is a perfectionist, so DeCasien wants to see the movie to critique the actor’s technique.

Read rest of the article here