Ghost Dog – complex film

The film “Ghost Dog” is not only interesting if you know Hagakure or want to get to know it. Not just when you practice Aikido or Budo. It is a very complex film about values, opinions, perspectives and life and death. You may be torn about what Japanese perspectives mean in today's life, but when you watch the film you quickly realize how correct some of the philosophies from Hagakure are, even today.

It is the anecdotes of Tsunemoto Yamamoto, recorded in Tashiro Tsuramoto's Hagakure, that the film Ghost Dog works with. Many of these philosophies can be quickly and easily applied to our time. I find others relatively difficult. As we know from the diverse past and present, following a “master” or “lord” (in the time of the samurai it was the prince) is not always advisable. It seems more important to deal with philosophy and ethics in order to know what is right and wrong and to form your own opinion. Following his ethics can certainly be understood in this sense today.

The film is actually suitable for getting your gray cells going. If you don't let the topic of death and the harsh language stop you, you can take a lot with you.