Hiroyuki Sanada’s Impact on Cultural Representation

Sara Aso, Writer • October 21, 2024

From the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring to the mesmerizing temples, Japan holds much beauty. We are now living in an age where media serves as an opening to other cultures. With streaming services, films and TV shows are easier to access than ever. Unfortunately, Japanese culture is overly simplified and misrepresented in Western cinema, leading to stereotypes and misunderstandings that fail to show the true essence of Japan. Here is one example.

The Last Samurai (2003)

The film starring Tom Cruise focuses on Japan and the samurai culture, but certain themes such as fighting styles and philosophical themes borrow ideas from Chinese martial arts, rather than traditional Japanese practices. Armor and weapons combine elements from different periods, and characters often wield the katana in ways that would be impractical and dishonorable in traditional Japanese culture.

Hiroyuki Sanada: Bridging the East and West

Hiroyuki Sanada became the first and only Japanese actor to win the Best Actor Emmy Award for his role as lead actor in the drama series “Shōgun”. His long desire to depict “true Japan” was recognized in the U.S., as he stated during his acceptance speech at the Emmys, “It was an East meets West dream project with respect.” He has always been aware of his Japanese background as an international actor.

Commitment to True Representation

Hiroyuki Sanada played a significant role in accurately portraying Japanese culture in “Shōgun”. He did so by being involved in production to guarantee authenticity.

Japanese Actors for Japanese Roles: When Sanada received an offer to star in the TV series, he accepted with the condition that Japanese actors would play Japanese roles. This helped to portray accurate language usage in the series.
Japanese Specialists: Sanada also insisted on bringing Japanese period drama experts on the show. They helped to depict the cultural norms and etiquette of the era accurately. Props such as wigs and clothing were shipped from Kyoto to Canada. The materials were ensured to be culturally appropriate.
Training the Cast: Instructors were invited to teach the cast about manners and conduct during the samurai era, helping them to portray their characters naturally. Sword fighting techniques were also taught to add realism to the combat scenes. With his background in Kendo, Shorinji Kempo, and Kyokushin Kaikan Karate, Sanada has spent his life understanding Japanese Bushidō.

Road Towards Cultural Integrity

The efforts of artists like Hiroyuki Sanada are leading the way towards authentic portrayals of cultures. His contribution to “Shōgun” illustrates how one individual can impact an entire production. By bringing the true essence of Japan to international screens, Sanada invites audiences to move beyond stereotypes and engage with his culture meaningfully. In our global society, increasingly connected through media, we must support those who strive to depict cultures authentically and honorably.

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