You are here:

Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman

Name: Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman
Director: Kumahiko Nishina
Released: 1935
Duration: 45 min

Representation Score

1.2/10

Minimal

1935

Director

Kumahiko Nishina

Runtime

45 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Araki Mataemon is a traditional jidaigeki that prioritizes historical authenticity and period-specific social hierarchies over modern inclusive representation. The narrative is driven by masculine archetypes, focusing on the martial prowess and blood feuds central to samurai culture. While the film offers a detailed look into the legalistic nuances of feudal honor, it engages minimally with diverse identities. The focus remains on the political landscapes of the Tokugawa and Toyotomi eras, reinforcing the status quo of the period.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories. It centers on traditional themes like honor, family lineage, and blood feuds.

How does Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman portray gender?

Limited

The story revolves around male-driven conflicts and masculine ideas of vengeance. Male characters play the key roles throughout the film.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman?

Limited

Set in feudal Japan, the film portrays a culturally uniform society. It accurately reflects the social hierarchies of the time.

How does Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story delves into the ethical complexities of revenge killings within traditional Japanese morals. It emphasizes feudal loyalty and established social structures.

Does Araki Mataemon: Master Swordsman include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Offers a detailed exploration of traditional Japanese morality and the ethics of revenge.
Reflects accurately the historical social hierarchies and political landscapes of feudal Japan.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight.
The narrative is heavily centered on male-driven conflict, offering limited roles to female characters.
The film depicts a culturally homogeneous society with no racial or ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

Araki Mataemon was a very strong warrior, and his feud against the samurai Kawai Matagorō is one of the most famous in Japan. Matagoro killed Gendayu, the little brother of Mataemon's brother in law, Watanabe Kazuma. Becoming a murderer out of jealousy for a childhood friend, Matagoro fled in another domain, using friends of his father and his lineage linked to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was somehow a complicated matter, as it seems at that time, a law from Toyotomi Hideyoshi allowed a little brother taking revenge for his elder brother, but not the reverse. After some years, the lord of Kazuma and Mataemon found a way, and they were allowed to take revenge for the murder. They fought and killed Matagoro and just one other samurai who was helping the culprit. It seems at that time, Kazuma was Mataemon's only assistant.

How are these scores produced? →