Samurai are Japanese warriors who were ranked at the top of the Japanese social hierarchy for hundreds of years. Japanese swords (katana) were symbols of samurai warriors. Samurai played an important role in Japanese society from the 12th century, especially, during the Warring States Period from the 15th century. Shogun were the most powerful samurai worriers who ruled Japan at the time. After the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, the role of the samurai in Japanese society has vanished. (Timeline of Japanese History)
A samurai procession is often held in traditional Japanese festivals or events in Japan. It's a great opportunity for travelers to see people dressed in various samurai costumes.
Filming of a Warner Bros movie, the Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe, was taken place in Japan. Tom Cruise and filming crew visited Japan on Oct. 2002 for a week. Filming was taken place at Sho-sha-zan Engyo-ji Temple in Himeji-city, Chion-in temple in Kyoto, and other places in Kyoto.
The Last Samurai is directed by Edward Zwick and is set in Japan during the 1870s. The film portrays a struggle between two different eras in the beginnings of the modernization of Japan. Tom Cruise plays an American military officer who goes to Japan to train Japan's modern army. Japanese actors plays samurai warriors who are angry at Westerners.
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