Traditions and authority, no one better than the Japanese culture to embody these, whether it be a neatly raked gravel of a garden, an orderly manner of walking, or committing an “honorable” suicide. And no better Japanese director than Masaki Kobayashi to shine a light at how ridiculously sad these traditions are. In a film full of atmosphere, a wonderful cast including Tatsuya Nakadai in the role of a Ronin named Hanshiro Tsugumo, exposes the empty façade which is the Samurai, a rule of mystics echoed in traditions. The film’s pace is slow as common with films of that time and place, but the reward is worthy the patience.