THE LAST SAMURAI – associated with CAMPBELL's ARCHETYPE & TO MY LEADERSHIP LIFE
Charmie D. Arribe, MD
AGSB ID#-R140047
1. THE HERO IS INTRODUCED IN HIS ORDINARY WORLD
In 1876, U.S. Army captain Nathan Algren is traumatized by his participation in atrocities during the Indian Wars, and has become an embittered alcoholic. Algren is approached by his former commanding officer, Colonel Bagley, on behalf of Japanese businessman Omura, who wishes to hire distinguished US soldiers to train the Imperial Japanese Army to suppress a samurai rebellion, lead by Katsumoto Moritsugu. In exchange, Japan would ratify a lucrative trade agreement that would grant the U.S. exclusive rights to supply arms to the Japanese government.
2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE
Although Algren despises Bagley for having ordered atrocities during the Indian wars, he accepts the job for the money and sails to Japan. Most of the soldiers being trained are little more than inexperienced peasants and farmers.
3. THE HERO IS RELUCTANT AT FIRST
The training is interrupted when the samurai rebels attack a railroad owned by Omura; Bagley orders the regiment to mobilize, overruling Algren's objection that the soldiers are not ready. Algren is proved correct, during a battle in a foggy forest in Yoshino Province, the undisciplined and intimidated soldiers panic and are quickly routed by the samurai horsemen. Algren kills several samurai with his revolver and saber but is eventually knocked from his horse. Algren desperately fights using a spear tipped flagstaff with a flag of a white tiger until he collapses from complete exhaustion. As he is about to be vanquished, he kills his would-be executioner with the staff's spear tip. As he is about to be killed, his ferocity and refusal to surrender, as well as the image of the white tiger on the flag he is fighting with, reminds Katsumoto of a recurring dream. As a result, Algren is spared and taken captive to the rebels' village in the mountains.
4. THE HERO IS ENCOURAGED BY THE WISE OLD MAN (Katsumoto)
In captivity and under guard, Algren is relatively free to explore the village and interact with its inhabitants. He meets with Katsumoto, who wishes to have civilized conversations with him for the purpose of mutual understanding. Algren grows to respect the humble, yet disciplined lifestyle of the samurai and their families.
5. THE HERO PASSES THE FIRST THRESHOLD
As time passes, he integrates more fully with their society, learning samurai martial techniques as well as the Japanese language. From Katsumoto, he learns that the rebellion opposes the speed of Japanese westernization, and that he believes the samurai are acting in the best interest of Japan. Algren is housed with Katsumoto's sister Taka and her family; she initially dislikes him, but after Algren learns it was her husband (the samurai that was going to execute him) he killed in combat, he apologizes and the two grow closer. His stay in the village allows him to overcome his alcoholism, come to terms with the horrors of his past and learn the samurai way.
6. THE HERO ENCOUNTERS TESTS AND HELPERS
Algren earns the samurai's respect and acceptance after he helps defeat a band of ninjas sent by Omura to assassinate Katsumoto.
7. THE HERO REACHES THE INNERMOST CAVE
Katsumoto is given safe passage to Tokyo in order to meet with his master and former student, the Emperor, and releases Algren. Algren learns that the Imperial Japanese Army has become much better trained and armed over the wintertime. Katsumoto realizes that the Emperor's influence in the government has been overshadowed by his advisers, led by Omura, who support westernization and intend to use the strengthened army to crush the samurai. In a council meeting, Katsumoto is arrested for carrying a sword. Rather than fulfill Omura's request to lead the Imperial Army against the rebellion, Algren organizes the samurai to free Katsumoto. The raid is successful and many soldiers are killed. Already mortally wounded, Katsumoto's son Nobutada sacrifices himself to allow everyone else to escape. Mourning the loss of his son, feeling defeated and dishonored, Katsumoto contemplates committing seppuku, believing that the samurai are no longer necessary. Algren convinces him that "nothing could be more necessary", and vows to fight the imperial army at Katsumoto's side.
8. THE HERO ENDURES SUPREME ORDEAL &
9. THE HERO SEIZES THE SWORD
Algren and the samurai return to the village to prepare for the army's coming assault. Before the warriors depart for battle, Taka dresses Algren in the armor worn by her husband, and the two share a kiss, while Katsumoto presents Algren with a katana. As the battle commences, the samurai deploy several traps and tactics to gain the edge over the Imperial Army. The Imperial soldiers are lured away from the protection of their artillery and cut off by a fire trap set by the samurai, and following a lethal hail of arrows Algren and Katsumoto lead a wave of swordsmen in a charge against them. As both sides clash, more Imperial platoons arrive, only to be countered by samurai infantry and cavalry flanking them. The struggle persists, leaving many dead on both sides before the remaining Imperial soldiers retreat. Knowing that they cannot withstand another assault, Katsumoto orders a final horseback charge that breaks through the Army's defensive lines (scaring Omura) and is only stopped by his ordering of last-minute Gatling gun fire. During the charge, Algren spots Bagley firing on Katsumoto, and kills him by throwing his samurai sword at him. In a very short space of time, the Gatling fire decimates the remaining samurai and grievously injures Algren, who nevertheless helps Katsumoto achieve an honorable death by performing seppuku. Disobeying Omura's demand that they kill all the last of the samurai, the Imperial Army collectively kneels and bows in a show of respect for the fallen.
10. THE ROAD BACK
Days later, as negotiations over the trade agreement conclude, an injured Algren interrupts the proceedings and presents Katsumoto's sword to the Emperor, stating that Katsumoto would have wanted him to have it and to remember the cause for which he and his ancestors had died.
11. THE RESURRECTION
The Emperor realizes that while Japan must modernize, it must also grow strong in line with its own history and culture. He rejects the trade agreement and confiscates the Omura family's assets to give back to the people. As the film closes, questions are raised to what happened to Algren, whether he died from his wounds or traveled back to America.
12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR
The film shows Algren returning to the isolated mountain village to live with Taka and her children in peace.
MY LEADESRHIP LIFE COMPARED TO THE LAST SAMURAI MOVIE:
**I took some conversations in the movie that has given me realizations and reflections in my life:
1. This conversation of Captain Algren & Minister Katsumoto made me reflect:
Algren: What else has she told you?
Katsumoto: That you have nightmares.
Algren: Every soldier has nightmares.
Katsumoto: Only one who is ashamed of what he has done.
Algren: You have no idea what I have done.
I am overwhelmed at the readings I had to indulge myself into these past days on leadership especially on self-awareness, then I came across the article given by our mentor entitled "Leading From Within." It has made me realize that I do have functional atheism, a belief that ultimate responsibility for everything rests with me. It is true that it does lead to a workaholic behaviour, to burn-out and to strained-relationships. And this is my nightmare! I am afraid that I have been spreading myself to thin, that I am putting too much on my plate (I am a wife, mother-of-2 boys, faculty at the College of Allied Medical Professions & School of Medicine at AUF, Chair of the Pediatric Department of TMC-Clark, a Passionate advocate of breastfeeding, Lactation Coach, General Pediatrician) then I tend to feel that I am ultimately responsible for all of the duties I have that I get to sacrifice and strain my relationships to the people I love most dearly. Changing my mindset and sharing the load does make it different. My husband has been my coach and critic and he has seen this side of me and tirelessly reached out to change these ways (of functional atheism). When I was in denial of this I was like Captain Algren telling him "you have no idea how I feel or what I have done on my day," to shove my husband in conversing how I really feel or how burnt-out I may seem. I am grateful how Prof. Jorge and my husband acknowledged my being a superwoman and that I am really seeing a different perspective of my life. BE NOT AFRAID! As I am facing my fears and challenges presently, I now know I can multi-task! And I love what I do! No matter how "full" my plate is, and revealing myself through writing is somehow making me a better person (though not yet a better blogger.)
2. Captain Algren on his observation on Japanese culture upon his immersion
Algren: [narrating] They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seem such discipline. I am surprised to learn that the word Samurai means, 'to serve', and that Katsumoto believes his rebellion to be in the service of the Emperor.
I serve the Lord by serving my family like a Samurai to his Emperor. I am a hands-on mother to my 6-year old and 4-year old son and I would want to instill in them the discipline and honor that Japanese people have. It is my mission to show my sons the ways though I know that they will choose their own paths someday but if I show them what the right ones are I TRUST that they will choose their path with the discipline and honor I may have shown them. Parenting is leading and it takes a lot of skills and hardwork to become good parents.
3. On our quest to perfection:
Katsumoto: The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.
I am learning that success will not be sweet without the bitterness of losses and failures. Honestly, I am afraid to fail and falter, I do not like to disappoint people much as confront them, but without facing these fears I will not grow as a leader. Without failing, I will not succeed, so I should always process my failures and pick lessons from them then wallow forever. Maybe I can still wallow and be saddened for a day or so but I am encouraged to rise above it. I can only do this with good people encouraging me and my family loving and believing in me, this is my perfect blossom.
4. What are we destined to be?
Katsumoto: You believe a man can change his destiny?
Algren: I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.
My life story is no different from Captain Algren's life discovery, he drunk his way out of his past and when he had those nightmares and bad experiences he drowns them away. I was afraid in looking at the inner me because I am afraid of my flaws and imperfections that I tend to drown myself to work and other things to keep my mind "quiet" and discover. When Captain Algren sobered up he became aware of the culture, the discipline and had discovered who he is and began to love himself & 'fellows.' Taking up this leadership course made me reflect upon myself more than what I actually do. This course made me "listen" to my soul as it sobered up from the noise and facades I put up. I am still in the process of becoming more aware of myself and it is a process I am really enjoying as I am being empowered to take on the challenges I have to face daily with now having a more positive outlook than before. Before I can easily let loose with how I feel but now since I am aware that it is indeed a weakness I try to become more composed in dealing with issues and challenges and in as short as 3 meetings I have noticed I am becoming a better leader. My leadership life/destiny is being revealed as I go through the fire of this training.
**Prof Jorge, I do not know how to attach a powerpoint to the blog. I apologize to the not-so-"techy" me < iupload muna sa Slideshare, we get the embed code. Ok na ito word>
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