In watching actually all the films, mainly because I couldn’t understand what the hell was going on. Especially also because it looked like the guy who uploaded it was using either an old beta max or vhs VCR to upload it to the internet.
But in watching the movies and reading up on what all Shintoism is about the different values, ideas, and beliefs they have are very present throughout. I believe actually the two movies the depicted the beliefs were that of the “Weeping Demon” and the “Tunnel”.
The tunnel started off or felt like the same dream I’ve had were you’re running somewhere. But the commander that was walking towards first gets pushed by a dog carrying ammo barking demonically pushed him into the tunnel. Then the end turned around and heard the footsteps of one of his men. This shows the belief in the Human Spirit remains forever. Then after his entire platoon comes out of the tunnel, he pleads with them to go home and rest in Peace. Shortly after this the dog that was carrying ammo comes back after him and pushes him back towards the tunnel. So I believe it shows that he’s still attached to his unit and vice versa where there dead but they still live on in his memories and vice versa.
Then the “Weeping Demon”, this one is clearly showing how pissed off and hateful the Japanese still are of the dropping of the Atom bomb. The demon talks about the big dandelions’ that’s have been growing because of the nuclear radiation. This shows the myth of purity and pollution. Also I believe it has a tie in with the
“To be helpful to others and in the world at large through deeds of service without thought of rewards, and to seek the advancement of the world as one whose life mediates the will of Kami”
I use this to show that towards the end of the “weeping demon” that the demon is helping this man find his way, but at the end changes and tries to turn the man into a demon.
So it has different themes from Shinto throughout the movie. Watching it just made me think this is a dream and even I can’t understand my dreams, but hell he could and even turned it into a movie. Wish I could do that. haha
I took the ending to mean, "If you don't change your actions then you will also become a demon." I also didn't take it as an indictment of dropping the A-Bomb, but as an indictment of nuclear energy altogether. There are some forces in the world we don't understand fully, so best not to trifle with them lest we make a mess of things.
ReplyDeleteI only watched "Sunshine Through the Rain." I'd be curious to know why you didn't think that represented Shinto best. Of course, I didn't watch all of the clips. In "Sunshine Through the Rain," there was a wedding ceremony, hari kari (suicide), dancing, and dishonor.
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