Seven Samurai (1954) with Vincent Kenny

Japanese History Hidden in our Screens

Join public historian Jon Combey as he breaks down Seven Samurai (1954). Set in 1586 CE, the classic piece of cinema by Kurosawa Akira is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential films in modern filmmaking. But how does it hold up to a historian's searching eye?

To join Jon on his journey is the wonderful Vincent Kenny of the Hikikomori Podcast. Together they will delve into the events of the Sengoku Jidai, search for the mindset of a samurai, and wrestle with 16th-century class warfare.

Alongside them will be two special experts,

Dr E. Taylor Atkins of Northern Illinois University who specialises in Modern Japanese and Korean cultural history, and transnational popular culture. The second edition of his A History of Popular Culture in Japan comes out this autumn.

&

Dr Alexander Bennett of Kansai University expert in the history of martial arts and samurai culture. Some of his Published works include Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai, Tuttle (2014) and Kendo: Culture of the Sword, University of California Press (2015)

If you'd like to learn more about today's topics you can find articles and sources on our website www.japanhiddenhistorypodcast.com

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