1. By: Madi, Steph, and Ashley

2.  The Meiji emperor was born on November 3, 1852 and died July 30, 1912. He was in reign from February 3, 1867 until his death. He encouraged the modernization of Japan as well. The emperor was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo which became the new capital; his imperial power was restored. The Meiji Restoration was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868. This ended the shogunate system and the beginning of modern Japan.

3.  Meiji Reign stands for the “enlightened rule”.

4.  The emperor was first stationed in the capital of Kyoto.  The emperor was then moved to Edo.  Edo’s name was changed to Tokyo.

5.  The emperor did not have complete control of Japan when he was restored to power.  He didn’t rule directly.  He was expected to accept the advice of the group that had overthrown the shogun and it was from this group that other young men from the lower ranks of the samurai emerged to take control and establish a new political system.

6.  The emperor was 25 years old whenever the real last samurai took place in 1876.

7.  The emperor in the movie is depicted as a poor leader and asking everyone else what to do.  He did not seem like he knew what he was doing.  The movie poorly portrayed the emperor.  In real life, the emperor seemed like a stronger leader.

8.  Because the emperor was interested in Westerners, I believe that the emperor in real life was accessible like he was in the movie.  The emperor wanted to Westernize Japan.

9.  Japan would not have been that respected by the United States in 1876.  Japan was only somewhat advanced, the U.S was way more advanced.  If Japan would have rejected them like that in real life the U.S would not have been as calm as they were in the movie

10.  It was good that Captain Algren let him know not to lose touch of the value and integrity of the Japanese culture but the Emperor’s reaction was not realistic.  If that happened in real life the Emperor would have probably been offended.  Out of all people, Captain Algren, who is American says it.  In a Hollywood production, that is probably what the audience wants to see.

11.  My opinion on the scene where Captain Algren presents the sword to the emperor is that the scene was really sad, but it was also really good because this is the scene where the Emperor stops listening to what everyone else is saying and goes with that he thinks is right.  The whole story was Hollywood's version of what happened, not what actually happened.