7 lessons from the Seven Samurai for all time

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker explains what Akira Kurosawa's great film can teach a modern person.

The famous painting "Seven Samurai" was released back in 1954. As a basis, director Akira Kurosawa took the classic story of how several ronin (samurai who lost their masters) helped the peasants to fight off the attack of robbers.

In the story, the villagers are constantly attacked by bandits. Deciding that after the next robbery they will simply starve to death, the peasants find their defenders - the seven ronin. It would seem that a simple story in the hands of a great director has become a real source of wisdom. Therefore, Seven Samurai is useful to revise to understand several important truths.

1. A common cause unites even people of opposite nature

The main characters of the film are interesting because they are completely different from each other. The team is headed by the experienced and wise ronin Kambey. But there is also a young man Katsushiro, a good-natured strongman Gorobei, an aggressive and reserved master of sword fighting Kyuzo, an old warrior Shichiroji, not the most capable, but witty Hayashida, and even a vagabond Kikuchiyo with a fake samurai diploma.

Having united for a common cause, people with different characters successfully complement each other. Gorobei relieves the situation in time, Kyuzo easily copes with difficult tasks. Even the ridiculous Kikuchiyo turns out to be useful: he finds a common language best with the peasants, who are at first afraid of ronin.

2. Even the strongest need help

In search of protection, the peasants turn to Cambay, counting on his strength and skills. But the wise samurai immediately informs that he cannot cope alone. To give the bandits a real rebuff, you need to collect seven warriors.

It seems to be a simple idea, but lone superheroes are often popular in modern culture. They themselves deal with all the enemies and call for help only at the last moment. A true master and warrior is able to assess their strengths in advance and ask for help before it's too late.

3. A clear plan of action significantly increases the chances of success

Despite the fact that Cambay has support, there are still much more robbers - 40 people. They also use guns and ride on horseback. Samurai undertake to teach peasants to fight, armed with bamboo spears, but they are not capable of much.

Therefore, a clear plan and preparation turn out to be very important: the samurai flood the approaches to the village and break bridges - so the robbers have the only way to attack. Twenty-four-hour guards prevent the enemy from catching the warriors by surprise. After each clash with the bandits, Cambay counts the killed and wounded, assessing the difficulty of the next fight.

4. By helping others, you are helping yourself

Several houses are located far beyond the river. Samurai offer their inhabitants to leave their homes and settle with the rest for the sake of safety. At first, the owners argue: they hope that the bandits will not get to them. Cambay explains that after the attack, the robbers will still go to distant houses, but no one will be able to help their residents. Only all together can be saved.

5. Nobility and courage are not determined by status

For the Japanese, social status has always been very important, and to this day, many people meet by their clothes. The Seven Samurai show that nobility is a trait of character, and not a consequence of high birth. Kikuchiyo in battle shows no less courage than real warriors, and peasants bravely fight for the common cause, regardless of their skills.

6. Aggressors are often cowardly

After the attack of the robbers, it becomes clear that most of them are selfish and cowardly people. They are used to intimidating defenseless peasants. When the villagers, along with the samurai, unexpectedly resist, some of the bandits defect, while others are constantly bickering among themselves.

7. Do not confuse fearlessness with recklessness

Kyuzo goes to the bandits' lair to steal a gun from them, killing two robbers along the way. The brave Kikuchiyo wants to repeat the deed of the master and also goes to the forest. For the sake of his feat, he leaves the post that he was supposed to guard. Because of this, the robbers manage to attack the village, and one of the samurai dies. So it becomes clear that even very brave actions can be reckless and entail serious consequences.