23rd February 2005, 4:09 PM
Since the Meiji period was so short and tied directly into the later Edo Period (mid-19th century) many historians consider Meiji in the same basic period of Japanese history, especially when referring to the downfall of the Samurai and the downfall of the then-current Japanese society as it was for centuries. During the Edo period the Samurai class lost much of its stature which led to many becoming Ronin or simply ignoring the Bushido code and becoming swords for hire and/or mercenaries. There was a loss of stature but not skill as you are suggesting.
As for The Last Samurai, the movie was an empty, pretentious piece of Hollywood trash, the kind I've seen a hundred times before. Take a historical event, change it almost completely to have the main hero an American, attempt to show whatever foreign culture it is about as noble and misunderstood and pander to the audience, and let the story be a laughable mess disguised in nice cinematography. That's all it was. If you've seen a real Samurai movie before you'd feel the same way. If you're not really into movies though, like I know you are, then sure: it's fine, empty entertainment. But I'm surprised you liked that movie but not Troy which did the same thing.
As for The Last Samurai, the movie was an empty, pretentious piece of Hollywood trash, the kind I've seen a hundred times before. Take a historical event, change it almost completely to have the main hero an American, attempt to show whatever foreign culture it is about as noble and misunderstood and pander to the audience, and let the story be a laughable mess disguised in nice cinematography. That's all it was. If you've seen a real Samurai movie before you'd feel the same way. If you're not really into movies though, like I know you are, then sure: it's fine, empty entertainment. But I'm surprised you liked that movie but not Troy which did the same thing.