1. I was surprised to find tears rolling down my cheeks when I watched the tea ceremony scene in Shogun a few weeks ago. I don’t know why it touched me so deeply. I was not such a big fan of the show— and yet watching the scene, I was completely floored. It was so beautifully filmed. And I felt it captured something true to my own experience with
Thank you so much for sharing this! I haven't watched Shogun yet but after this scene, I am looking forward to it even more. I have often shared tea with friends (loved ones even), it is a pleasure different from learning with your sensei or fellow students. Making tea for friends has taught me hospitality. I always try to make them feel welcome & appreciated through the way I make tea for them. It might sound cheesy, saying it like that, but I wonder if you understand? Anyway, the scene reminded me of that. It's beautiful how tea brings people together, even if they end up going their separate ways afterward.
It was interesting to see the two tea ceremonies side by side. Although I'm not a fan of extreme close-ups, the older Shogun scene had more intensity, even intimacy, lit by a candle. The recent one was beautiful up to a point, but then there was an unnecessary POV switch, and a glaringly bad cut right in the middle of the tea ceremony itself. But my reasons for disliking the series have more to do with dramaturgy and casting. Anjin-san was so miscast and at times absurdly written, that it was difficult to see what Mariko saw in him, other than his foreignness.
I was also really struck looking at the two scenes side-by-side. I thought they did a fabulous job with the ceramics and the ceremony itself with that music in the HBO version but the dialogue was so overdone at the same time. The older movie the dialogue between the couple was so understated and subtle that it had a lot more power. Sometimes when there’s a little bit too much overacting is hard to watch in a way. And I agree that the actor was not right who posted Anjin San!
So true. The value of poetry, the distinction between European and Japanese philosophies, even the meaning of life and death, throughout the show was incredible.
It’s something really fascinating to think about! I was trying to think of other examples of really slippery translation concepts like God, but I was coming up blank… God as concept or proper noun?
The love of a beautiful woman certainly eases all uncertainties into the one and certain unknown of death doesn't it? And tea to bring the horizon into focus. Very powerful. Wonderful piece, Leanne, especially with the note about the translation of "God".
Thank you, Sally! Have you had Shogun yet? I thought Mariko had such a death wish in this version more than the novel and that scene turned very chilly!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I haven't watched Shogun yet but after this scene, I am looking forward to it even more. I have often shared tea with friends (loved ones even), it is a pleasure different from learning with your sensei or fellow students. Making tea for friends has taught me hospitality. I always try to make them feel welcome & appreciated through the way I make tea for them. It might sound cheesy, saying it like that, but I wonder if you understand? Anyway, the scene reminded me of that. It's beautiful how tea brings people together, even if they end up going their separate ways afterward.
You said that so beautifully! I wish I had had the opportunity to have tea for two like that!!!
You never know what the future will bring, I hope you get to have the experience too!
I would love that!
It was interesting to see the two tea ceremonies side by side. Although I'm not a fan of extreme close-ups, the older Shogun scene had more intensity, even intimacy, lit by a candle. The recent one was beautiful up to a point, but then there was an unnecessary POV switch, and a glaringly bad cut right in the middle of the tea ceremony itself. But my reasons for disliking the series have more to do with dramaturgy and casting. Anjin-san was so miscast and at times absurdly written, that it was difficult to see what Mariko saw in him, other than his foreignness.
I was also really struck looking at the two scenes side-by-side. I thought they did a fabulous job with the ceramics and the ceremony itself with that music in the HBO version but the dialogue was so overdone at the same time. The older movie the dialogue between the couple was so understated and subtle that it had a lot more power. Sometimes when there’s a little bit too much overacting is hard to watch in a way. And I agree that the actor was not right who posted Anjin San!
Wonderful post. I loved the show and that scene too!
Wasn’t that scene incredibly romantic until it turned cold? I just was so moved by it! I’m so glad you noticed it and liked it too!
So true. The value of poetry, the distinction between European and Japanese philosophies, even the meaning of life and death, throughout the show was incredible.
It really is! I love these posts about Japan, about which I knew nothing until I met you:-)
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I love the idea of translating "God."
It’s something really fascinating to think about! I was trying to think of other examples of really slippery translation concepts like God, but I was coming up blank… God as concept or proper noun?
The love of a beautiful woman certainly eases all uncertainties into the one and certain unknown of death doesn't it? And tea to bring the horizon into focus. Very powerful. Wonderful piece, Leanne, especially with the note about the translation of "God".
Thank you, Sally! Have you had Shogun yet? I thought Mariko had such a death wish in this version more than the novel and that scene turned very chilly!
No, I haven't.
Aika Miyake would be thrilled to see this post. She’s one of the two female film editors behind Shogun’s success. I’ll send it to her!