Re Last Samurai

[Mark Nornes]

Joanne wrote:

> any cultural product takes on a life of its own
> once it?s on the market and becomes available to political uses and to
> interpretation according to the immediate context.  That?s both the 
> glory and
> the curse of the cultural artifact.

....and it reminded me of the junk email I received from Kintetsu. 
Here's the text, but the images are also worth a glance at 
http://www.kintetsu/samurai/

The subject line was "Meet Kyoto Samurai in Manhattan!"

Markus

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Witness Samurai in action! To coincide with the release on December 5th 
of Warner Brothers' movie The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise, 
representatives from Kyoto Prefecture in Japan will present Samurai 
performance in the middle of Manhattan.

Spectators will enjoy trained samurai actors from Kyoto's famous 
Uzumasa Samurai                        Movie Studio engaged in 
authentic-style sword fights. Actors include sword masters who actually 
appeared in The Last Samurai movie! They will be acting out the 
historic                        battle waged by the Shinsen-Gumi, one 
of the "Last Samurai" group of Japan's Bakumatsu Period (1853-1868).

In addition, real Maiko from Kyoto will perform beautiful Kyoumai dance 
with the music of Jikata Shamisen (traditional string instrument), and 
free sword lessons will be offered                        as well.

For more Information about this exciting event, contact :
KYOTO PROMOTION BY SAMURAI MISSION
c/o Kintetsu International Travel Consultants Company
TEL: 212-259-9700 or mim at kintetsu.com

*Photo courtesy of Kyoto City Government, Kyoto Uzumasa Movie Studio, 
and JNTO.
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