Star Wars is based on Samurai?

[Darth Vaildra]

So I have always learned that Samurai is based on many things, but the Jedi/Sith are based on the way of the Samurai and Buddism. I see it in the movies. It isn't perfect, but is there. Though when you branch in games and books it gets farther from that truth so this leads me to a question. Why does it seem on this sight is is less based in The way of the Samurai and more based on European beliefs and styles of fighting?

Now this could be just my view and I am missing it, or maybe it isn't suppose to be there, but I would love this to become a lively discussion.

 

[Serah Oricion]

[member="Hakora Feanor"]

I would actually attribute them closer to the Ikko Ikki Warrior monks than Samurai themselves. But the similarities are there.

 

[Darth Vaildra]

[member="Yusan Fenn"]

Mind going into why?

 

[Beowoof]

[member="Hakora Feanor"]

The Jedi have some Knights Templar-ish influence in the movies, as well.

But, yes, it's mostly based off the samurai.

 

[Serah Oricion]

[member="Hakora Feanor"]

The Ikko Ikki were a religious sect of warrior monks that held a great deal of political power as well. Creating areas of influence that challenged the great diamyos of the japanese feudal system... lets put it this way. Tokugawa feared their power and worked with them instead of trying to dispose of them.

 

[Darth Vaildra]

[member="Beowoof"]

As to you, mind going into why you think that?

Personally I don't see that one. Maybe in the sith in a crusaders, the dark side of it all (pun intended) While the crusades were mostly bad, their were a few people who were Christians and tried stopping or protecting the innocent. How I see them Sith like is while they have good intentions their methods were evil.

Sith do want order and the Galaxy to be better, but their view on better is diluted.

 

[Darth Vaildra]

[member="Yusan Fenn"]

I am strictly going off this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikk%C5%8D-ikki

It appears they are small and maybe only a handful had any political or military power. Seems very early America, Washington isk

 

[Beowoof]

[member="Hakora Feanor"]

The Clone Wars! The Jedi Knights took the roles of generals to defend the Republic (Europe) against the invading Moors--I mean, the Separatists!

Later on, they were accused of evil deeds and heresies by King Phillip and eventually massacred. Sound familiar?

 

[Darth Vaildra]

[member="Beowoof"]

I never thought of it like that, you are right. Though it could also be alluded to the fall of the Samurai. They served their emperor loyally, but as technology began to invade...droids, they were considered obsolete and were betrayed by their own emperor.

History has a way of repeating itself. For example, America almost perfectly mirrors the Roman Empire.

 

[Beowoof]

[member="Hakora Feanor"]

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."

-Mark Twain

 

[Uriel]

Lucas quoted The Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa as one of his major inspirations for Star Wars.

So, yes, there are definitely samurai elements.

 

[Darth Vaildra]

[member="Beowoof"]

As a literaure major I say this with confidence.... He is an idiot in most things.

 

[Sabena Shai]

Relevant: http://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-seven-samurai

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

One of my most favourite movies is Red Cliff. It is a long one, but beautiful to watch. The warriors (not samuari) in that movie are very jedi like, you should take a look.

I am not say this is based on jedi or reversed, but similar in theory.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

One of my most favourite movies is Red Cliff. It is a long one, but beautiful to watch. The warriors (not samuari) in that movie are very jedi like, you should take a look.

I love that movie. ^_^

 

[Raien Keth]

[member="Hakora Feanor"]

There are various influences
Samurai
Templars
Buddhist
There is even an old order called the Jede but you rarely find records of it. I have once or twice but they are fleeting.
I tend to think the lightsaber took some influence from the Buddhist Dorje or Dorjee just because of the hilt design, but that's probably coincidence. Either way there is plenty of eastern influence in there yep.

Obviously you've got your crystals, and then the concept of the force in various religions/groups referred to as Chi, Ki, Ptah, the web, even the force in some . Though I tend to think that was the actual medias influence heh.

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

The Jedi have samurai elements to them, largely because Lucas was heavily influenced by old Japanese samurai flicks. Star Wars has quite a few other influences though. Lucas was also influenced by spaghetti westerns and sci-fi movies from the 50's. And there are other cultural elements from different cultures imbued into the films.

 

[Raien Keth]

The Jedi have samurai elements to them, largely because Lucas was heavily influenced by old Japanese samurai flicks. Star Wars has quite a few other influences though. Lucas was also influenced by spaghetti westerns and sci-fi movies from the 50's. And there are other cultural elements from different cultures imbued into the films.

Yeah that is true, we can't forget the obvious western influence in blasters or some of the small town feeling going on, and ww2 influence on things like the deathstar trench run.

[member="Ludolf Vaas"]

 

[Darth Hauntruss]

Lucas got the Jedi and the story of the Original Trilogy in part form Akira Kurosawa's movie Seven Samurai. In seven samurai, seven warriors of the samurai class after the end of all wars, have become ronin (masterless samurai) and are contracted by peasants to protect them against a marauding band of bandit warriors (who are also masterless samurai).

A lot of the shots and cinematography of Lucas is also influenced by the way Kurosawa did his movies. Ever notice the side swip scene transition thing? That comes from Kurosawa's movies (and a bit of Flash Gordon as well). Obi Wan Kenobi is also partly inspired by the leader of the Seven Samurai.

When it comes to the Jedi and all that, Lucas pulls heavily from Asian spirtualism - i.e. Bushido, Buddhism, Daoism. In fact, the Force is very very similar to the Daoist concept of the Way, a metaphysical force by which all beings have some connection to and with proper meditation and study can achieve the True Way.

 

[Darth Ferus]

See, when people say Seven Samurai I can't help but think of

Grant it, I do know of the original, but I can't help but think of the above.