Kagemusha (1980)

When a powerful warlord in medieval Japan dies, a poor thief recruited to impersonate him finds difficulty living up to his role and clashes with the spirit of the warlord during turbulent times in the kingdom.

Keywords: 1500s, 1570s, battle, body-double, ceremony, character-name-in-title, doppelganger, double, hand-to-hand-combat, honor

Genres

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Quotes:

Shingen Takeda: Even with this resemblance, Nobukado, he is so wicked as to be sentenced to crucifixion. How could this scoundrel be my double?::Kagemusha: I only stole a few coins. A petty thief. But you've killed hundreds and robbed whole domains. Who is wicked, you or I?

Masakage Yamagata: How old are you, sire? Fifty-three, as I remember.::Shingen Takeda: Why?::Masakage Yamagata: And you still behave like a five-year-old child. People gather, scatter, they go left and right following their interests. That is not surprising. But then I find you like this. With such a narrow mind, you must not dream of rulership. Go back to your own domain. You are a mountain monkey. You should be gathering nuts in the mountains of Kai.

Shingen Takeda: I am wicked, as you believe. I am a scoundrel. I banished my father and I killed my own son. I will do anything to rule this country. War is everywhere. Unless somebody unifies the nation and reigns over us, we will see more rivers of blood and more mountains of the dead.

Nobukado Takeda: I know it is difficult. I was for a long time the lord's double. It was torture. It is not easy to suppress yourself to become another. Often I wanted to be myself and free. But now I think this was selfish of me. The shadow of a man can never desert that man. I was my brother's shadow. Now that I have lost him, it is as though I am nothing.

[the double's aides are worried that others will find out he is an impostor]::Masakage Yamagata: Little Takemaru was a problem, but the horse is worse. It can tell. Only the late lord could ride it.::Nobufusa Baba: If the double falls off, everyone will suspect.::Nobukado Takeda: Lord Shingen has been ill. He must refrain from riding.::Masakage Yamagata: Good idea.::Masatane Hara: There are many other problems. We must be careful to keep the late lord's intentions.::Katsusuke Atobe: Tonight he will have to meet the late lord's mistresses. How will he be with them?::Masakage Yamagata: Our master has been ill. He must refrain from riding.

Nobukado Takeda: The shadow of a man can never stand up and walk on its own.

Kagemusha: A serious illness can change even a man's heart.

Takemaru: Why are you called a mountain, grandfather?::Kagemusha: [Unaware of the legend behind Shingen's nickname] "Mountain"?::Takemaru: Everybody calls you that. Where is the mountain? Is it because we have this mountain in our garden?::Sohachiro Tsuchiya: [Quickly intervening to cover for Kagemusha's ignorance] You know the master's banner. What is printed there?::Takemaru: [Reciting the slogan on the Takeda clan's banner] Swift as the wind... Quiet as a forest... Fierce as fire... Immovable as a mountain.::Sohachiro Tsuchiya: The lord is that mountain. Both in battle and at home, he is steadfast, like a mountain. When his army advances, first the horsemen attack, swift as the wind. Second, the lancers raise a forest of spears, advancing with silent resolve. Third, more horsemen engulf the enemy ranks, as mercilessly as fire. And the lord is always behind them, watching over them, immovable as a mountain. That is why our army, from general to foot soldier, can fight so resolutely... Immovable as a mountain. The lord is that mountain. So we call him "the mountain."

Shingen Takeda: To occupy Kyoto, to fly my flags in the capital, has been my long-cherished dream. But... if something should happen to me, do not pursue that dream. Remember: my death must not be made known. Keep it a secret, for at least three years. Guard our domain. Never move from it. Do not move! If you ignore my order and set out to attack, our Takeda clan will be no more. Heed my words! This... is my final wish.

Masakage Yamagata: [Rainbow appears, causing the advancing Takeda army to halt] My lord, what do you think that light is that is barring your path?::Katsuyori Takeda: [Gives it a quick glance] A rainbow.::Masakage Yamagata: You're wrong! It is your late father's instructions not to proceed. He's telling you to stay in your domain and guard it. Those were your father's last words. If you do that, nothing can harm us.::Katsuyori Takeda: Harm? An ominous word. Since the time of our ancestors, the Takeda have never run from a fight.::Katsuyori Takeda: [Addressing his army] Forward!... Forward!

'Kagemusha' is featured as a movie character in the following productions:

Kagemusha Filmography

• Play in Full Screen Seeing Things

  2006, role: composer