The samurai world Ghost of Tsushima is based on has always inspired legends and idealisations. One of the greatest champions of these Japanese warriors was filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. And Sucker Punch has drawn inspiration from some of the elements that made this legend’s films unique.
The Way of the Samurai or Bushido
If there is one thing that samurai have always been known for it is their strict code of honour, or Bushido, which Jin Sakai references throughout his adventure. This code was passed down to him from his uncle and lost meaning, for him, at the Battle of Komoda. In this battle, Jin had to decide whether to continue fighting by his code or take the Way of the Ghost and get revenge on the Mongol forces. Something similar took place in Kurosawa’s film Yojimbo (1961), which combines samurai history and a moral aspect that differs somewhat from tradition. Other films like Seven Samurai (1954) better depict the way of the Bushido.
Climate, landscapes and nature
If there is one thing that has captivated Ghost of Tsushima players, it is the exceptional scenery and landscapes. Everyone has used photo mode at least once to save a snapshot. Most of the Japanese filmmaker’s work is in black and white, though, so we also have Kurosawa mode to give the game the style of his films. However some, such as Ran (1985), show all the colours and spectacular scenery meticulously.
But the scenery isn’t the only place where Kurosawa’s influence can be felt: duels are a fundamental part of Ghost of Tsushima. These moments, although without music, aren’t silent either, as the wind, leaves and sound of weapons colliding accompany you throughout. These moments are classic Kurosawa, like in The Hidden Fortress (1958), which features an extremely intense, natural duel.
The effect of war and violence
The title is based on the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island as a steppingstone to take all of Japan. Ran faithfully portrays the disasters of this war: bodies trampled by warriors on horseback, burning landscapes and destroyed villages. Traditional Japanese culture and the peasantry that needed help from the great samurai that Kurosawa depicted in Seven Samurai or Sanjuro (1962) led to the destruction of many homes on Tsushima Island. The Japanese filmmaker’s scenes of invasion and conquest are very similar to those we see in Ghost Of Tsushima, above all in the beginning, which highlights the battle against Mongol occupation. In addition to this technical brilliance in the war scenes, the mastery is highly palpable in the hand-to
