Hear the word "samurai," and think sword battle. It might be the way many people think. Even Japanese and no wonder Americans and other people do.

Ichiro Yamamoto, the producer of
"Love and Honor"

Oscar nominated Japanese director Yoji Yamada's "Love and Honor" (2006) will screen in Seattle from Friday, July 11 and in Portland in July 18. Ichiro Yamamoto, the producer of the movie visited Seattle to attend the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), which showed "Love and Honor" twice in May. "This movie tells how samurai lived toward the end of the Edo period," said Yamamoto.

In the movie, Shinnojo Mimura, acted by Takuya Kimura, is a lower-ranked samurai who is employed by his clan as a poison taster to the lord of the clan, has lived a thrifty but happy life with his beautiful wife and their old servant. However, one day, Mimura's life was changed suddenly because of becoming blind which was caused by the shellfish that brings on food poisoning, which is accidentally put into the lunch for the lord of the clan. And, Mimura lost his position in the castle.

Later Mimura finds out that his wife has a relationship with the head clerk and the blind samurai vows to retaliate. "The scene of the duel is one of the most must-see sights," said Yamamoto. "We tried to mirror even the breathing of two samurais and moving of the winds in the screen."

Yet, the producer emphasized that this movie writes not only samurai fight but also the beauty of seasons. The story starts in spring and to late fall in the movie and most of the scenes are matters in the house and garden where Mimura lives. Yamamoto said, "Flowers, trees, birds and insects… All things change in each episode. The story tells about love of the samurai and austere beauty of Japan."

"Sometimes it's difficult for people other than Japanese to understand the spirit of the samurai. Though I think to value decency highly has been accepted by all cultures or histories," said Rei Dan, the actress who plays Mimura's wife. "[I] Hope the audience feels the mind of Japanese from this movie."

(c) 2006 Love and Honor Film Partners

"Love and Honor"(2006) Directed by Yoji Yamada
     *Country: Japan
     *Running time: 121 Minutes
     * Language: Japanese
     *Sub-Titles:English Sub-Titles

SIFF Cinema (321 Mercer St. at 3rd Ave.)
July 11-17 Friday: 8pm
                Saturday-Sunday:1/8 pm
                Monday-Thursday:8 pm
Contact: (206) 633-7151 or visit www.siff.net/

The Historic Lynwood Theatre (4569 Lynwood Center Rd. Bainbridge Island)
Starts July 18
Contact: (206) 842-3080 or visit www.lynwoodtheatre.com/

Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St., Portland, OR)
Starts July 18
Contact: (503) 238-8899 or visit www.clintonsttheater.com/