10 quotes
A Man's Remembrance and Responsibilities
Taglines
A man never forgets. A man pays his debts.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Burden of Tradition and Change
Goro Tanaka
Ken is a tormented man. It is Eiko, of course, but it is also Japan. Ken is a relic, a leftover of another age, of another country.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Trust and Loyalty in Unfamiliar Relationships
Dusty
That guy doesn't like you.
Harry Kilmer
No, not much.
Dusty
So how come you figure you can trust him?
Harry Kilmer
Giri.
Dusty
Gitty?
Harry Kilmer
Giri. Obligation.
Dusty
You mean he figures he owes you something?
Harry Kilmer
Yeah, sort of.
Dusty
Well, that can work two ways, Kilmer. If you ain't alive tomorrow, he don't owe you shit.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Japan's Secret Societies
Taglines
The Secret Society of Japan
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cultural Differences in Violence and Expression
Dusty
American sword cuts on a push stroke, Japanese sword cuts on a pull stroke. When an American cracks up, he opens up the window and shoots up a bunch of strangers. When a Japanese cracks up, he closes the window and kills himself. Everything is in reverse.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discussion of Ken's Awareness
Eiko Tanaka
Did you speak to Ken?
Harry Kilmer
Yeah
Eiko Tanaka
Does he know we are here?
Harry Kilmer
Sure.
Eiko Tanaka
Is he unhappy?
Harry Kilmer
I'm on my way over to see him now.
Eiko Tanaka
But is he unhappy?
Harry Kilmer
Of course he's unhappy, he's been unhappy ever since he lost the war. I keep trying to tell him it's not his fault, he won't take my word for it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perception of Change in Modern Japan
Harry Kilmer
Everywhere I look, I can't recognize a thing.
Oliver Wheat
It's still there. Farmers in the countryside may watch TV from their tatami mats and you can't see Fuji through the smog, but don't let it fool you. It's still Japan and the Japanese are still Japanese.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding Giri: Obligation and Burden
Dusty
This Giri...
Ken Tanaka
Giri? Hai.
Dusty
It means obligation, right?
Ken Tanaka
Burden.
Dusty
Burden?
Ken Tanaka
It's called, the burden hardest to bear.
Dusty
Yeah, well, suppose you don't bear it. I mean, no one's going to come down on you?
Ken Tanaka
No.
Dusty
Well, you guys believe in some kind of Heaven and Hell?
Ken Tanaka
No.
Dusty
Then what is it you believe in that makes you do it?
Ken Tanaka
Giri.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Blood Ties and Brotherhood Against the Yakuza
Taglines
Separated by blood and centuries - United by a Woman - Now, hurled together against the Yakuza . . . brotherhood of the East.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
From Samurai to Yakuza: A Legacy
Taglines
100 years ago they were called Samurai.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.