The Perfect Blossom
The Last Samurai
The Perfect Moment
One may spend an entire Lifetime,
in search of the Perfect Moment.
Only to realise, right at the very end,
that Perfection is found, in every Moment.
The Warrior & The Master
The Warrior Fights,
trying to find the Perfect Moment.
The Master Lives,
each and every, Perfect Moment.
Dialogue from the movie, “The Last Samurai” , DVD release.
Time Sections: 01:08:46 – 01:11:35 and 02:08:34 – 02:09:53
Transcript
01:08:46 – 01:11:35 : Katsumoto is in a courtyard admiring a blossoming cherry tree, as Algren approaches.
| Katsumoto | The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life. |
| Algren | Who sent those men to kill you? |
| Katsumoto | I’m writing a poem about a dream I had. |
| The tiger’s eyes are like my own. But he comes from across a deep and troubled sea. |
|
| Algren | Was it the Emperor? Omura? |
| Katsumoto | If the Emperor wishes my death, he has but to ask. |
| Algren | So it was Omura. |
| Katsumoto | I’m having trouble finishing the poem. Can you suggest a last line? |
| Algren | I’m not a writer. |
| Katsumoto | Yet, you have written many pages since you came here. |
| Algren | What else has she told you? |
| Katsumoto | You have nightmares. |
| Algren | Every soldier has nightmares. |
| Katsumoto | Only one who is ashamed of what he has done. |
| Algren | You have no idea what I have done. |
| Katsumoto | ~Gives instructions to a guard in Japanese.~ |
| You have seen, many things? | |
| Algren | I have. |
| Katsumoto | You do not fear death, but sometimes you wish for it. Is this not so? |
| Algren | Yes. |
| Katsumoto | I also. It happens to men, who have seen what we have seen. And then, I come to this place of my ancestors, and I remember. Like these blossoms, we are all dying. To know, life in every breath, every cup of tea, every life we take. The way of the warrior. |
| Algren | Life in every breath. |
| Katsumoto | That is, Bushido. |
| Algren | Ay. |
| Katsumoto | The Emperor has granted a safe passage to Tokyo. We leave tomorrow. |
| Algren | Good. |
| Katsumoto | Good. |
| The guard returns and delivers to Katsumoto, Algren’s books. Katsumoto then hands them to Algren. | |
| Katsumoto | When I took these, you were… …my enemy. |
…
02:08:34 – 02:09:53 : Katsumoto is mortally wounded on the battle field. Algren assists him to end his life.
| Algren | I will miss, our conversations. |
| After plunging his sword into his abdomen, Katsumoto’s final moments are spent admiring an adjacent orchard, of blossoming cherry trees. | |
| Katsumoto | Perfect. They are all… …perfect. |
