Harakiri
Down-on-his-luck veteran Tsugumo Hanshirō enters the courtyard of the prosperous House of Iyi. Unemployed, and with no family, he hopes to find a place to commit seppuku—and a worthy second to deliver the coup de grâce in his suicide ritual. The senior counselor for the Iyi clan questions the ronin’s resolve and integrity, suspecting Hanshirō of seeking charity rather than an honorable end. What follows is a pair of interlocking stories which lay bare the difference between honor and respect, and promises to examine the legendary foundations of the Samurai code.
Critics Sentiment
Hanshiro fights multiple retainers and destroys the armor
Hanshiro Tsugumo arrives at the Iyi estate requesting seppuku
The film builds from its measured opening to devastating emotional peaks during the family tragedy and revenge revelation sequences.
Critics consistently praised Harakiri as a masterpiece that transcends the samurai genre through its powerful critique of institutional hypocrisy and bushido as facade. The film maintains exceptional quality throughout, with reviewers highlighting Nakadai's towering performance, the tragic family story, and the symbolic destruction of samurai honor. While some noted minor pacing issues and fight choreography concerns, the overwhelming critical consensus celebrates this as one of cinema's greatest achievements.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 36
Tatsuya Nakadai
Hanshiro Tsugumo
Akira Ishihama
Motome Chijiiwa
Shima Iwashita
Miho Tsugumo
Tetsuro Tamba
Hikokuro Omodaka
Masao Mishima
Tango Inaba
Ichirō Nakatani
Hayato Yazaki
Kei Satō
Masakazu
Yoshio Inaba
Jinai Chijiiwa
Hisashi Igawa
Retainer
Toru Takeuchi
Retainer
Yoshirō Aoki
Tatsuo Matsumura
Akiji Kobayashi
Kōichi Hayashi
Ryūtarō Gomi
Jo Azumi
Nakajirō Tomita
Shichisaburo Amatsu
Kenzō Tanaka
Shin Nakahara
Crew
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