Japan Memoirs Of A Secret Empire

Film Review Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

The film Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire is the perfect example of what a documentary should be. The film goes over Japan’s history from the 16th to 19th century. From Japan’s vast different cultures and beliefs to the lockdown on travel within the country the film explains all in great detail. Varying drastically of how Japan is today the film will educate the audience in great detail on any aspect of the country, from the ruling of the shogun to the fall of the great samurai. Personally I learned a great deal of how the shogun ran his country and how the samurai in an age of peace did not know war but were still respected greatly. Whether a person knows all about Japan or very little about it this film has a little something for everyone.

First and foremost the viewers learn about the great and mighty shogun. The shogun is the supreme military leader in Japan, and leads Japan in all of their doing. Shogun Ieyasu united all of the lords of estates or more commonly known as the daimyo. Ieyasu brought peace to Japan and maintained order in his country. At the age of 72 Ieyasu passes, and his mantle of shogun goes on to his grandson Iemitsu. The audience sees a shift in Japan as Iemitsu takes over and establishes his rule with an iron fist. Learning how this shogun was such a harsh dictator and how

This film opens up on that thought and it expands on it showing that though they were widely respected there was an age of samurai that never knew war and just held a title. Most people don’t understand that the age of samurai during this time of peace were not warriors but shifted to a different role. From the basic knowledge from what society knows of the samurai this is not widely known. Samurai’s were still respected but they did not have the experience of war but still held themselves in the same