Christianity came to Western Japan in 1542 by way of Jesuit missionaries from Portugal who brought gunpowder and religion. They were welcomed mostly for the weapons they brought and their religion was allowed to be practiced openly. Christianity was banned, however, after reports circulated of missionary intolerance towards the Shinto and Buddhist religions, and there…
The weathered feudal Japanese tale of ronin seeking revenge for their fallen lord, one would think, lends itself nicely to the themes of fantasy. Samurai, their unwavering courage and swordsmanship intertwined with magical elements and mystical creatures represents a marriage made in heaven. Unfortunately, in director Carl Rinsch’s 47 Ronin, this marriage does little justice…
Today Universal Pictures has released yet another trailer for the upcoming samurai flick 47 Ronin this time forgoing story to ramp up the film’s mysticism and trot out a bevy of enemy monsters worthy of a good sword fight. Taking more of the center stage this time around is Mizuki (Rinko Kikuchi) as the dragon-shifting…
