I enjoyed this film, but I don't think there was such a thing as a left-handed samurai, I think everyone was made to use the right hand. Anyone know for sure?
I also don't think you would commit seppuku with a katana; it would be very difficult, surely. A wakizashi or a tanto was more usual, as we see with the unfortunate character at the beginning of the film.
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First off, about the left handed samurai: Although historically, Saito was rumored to be left handed and excel in his katate-zuki (or one handed stab, which uses the left hand), I doubt he actually carried it on his right side though. And for seppuku, remember that in the movie, the character didn't commit it ceremonially. He did it on his own without disturbing anybody so he used his own katana.
shareAlso honourable seppuku requires a second party to decapitate you before you can scream and dishonour yourself. He was commiting dishonourable seppuku it seems.
shareDishonorable...is a very strange adjective ot attach to such an act. Or at least not very accurate. I have not seen the whole movie yet, therefore I am not sure about the scene you are discussing, but I would say that this is always an hororable suicide, even if it is not public or a means of a death penalty, allowing the deceased's familiy to keep his possesions. A man capable of committing this is by no means dishonored by the act itself. The seppuku is the answer to dishonor. The weapon used is the weapon available. If it is an execution (see above) there is a special blade with no handle, just wrapped up in a piece of cloth and men to almost decapitate the victim (the head should not be completely separated from the body). But if you are alone you may use a katana, a wakizashi or even a piece of a broken blade.
About the left-handed samurai - noone is taught to use a left hand. But noone would stop him after he begins his own life. A fine example is Musashi (although he usualy used both hands, he also sometimes used only his left). Therefore it is quite possible that such na extraordinary man as Saito Hajime could have been left-handed.
Interesting.
shareThere were actually laws about what side to wear it on, because two samurai getting their swords caught together could start a fight. Realistically, Saitou probably wore his sword on his left in public, and on the right during battles.
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