Harakiri
Peace in 17th-century Japan causes the Shogunate's breakup of warrior clans, throwing thousands of samurai out of work and into poverty. An honorable end to such fate under the samurai code is ritual suicide, or hara-kiri (self-inflicted disembowelment). An elder warrior, Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai) seeks admittance to the house of a feudal lord to commit the act. There, he learns of the fate of his son-in-law, a young samurai who sought work at the house but was instead barbarically forced to commit traditional hara-kiri in an excruciating manner with a dull bamboo blade. In flashbacks the samurai tells the tragic story of his son-in-law, and how he was forced to sell his real sword to support his sick wife and child. Tsugumo thus sets in motion a tense showdown of revenge against the house.
The film commercial failure against its microbudget of $64K, earning $25K globally (-62% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the drama genre.
9 wins & 3 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Harakiri (1962) demonstrates precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Masaki Kobayashi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Hanshiro Tsugumo
Kageyu Saito
Motome Chijiiwa
Miho Tsugumo
Kingo Tsugumo
Jinnai Chijiiwa
Yazaemon Hikokuro
Umenosuke Kawabe
Hayato Masakatsu
Main Cast & Characters
Hanshiro Tsugumo
Played by Tatsuya Nakadai
An aging ronin who arrives at the House of Iyi to request use of their courtyard for ritual suicide, but reveals a deeper tragic story of honor and revenge.
Kageyu Saito
Played by Rentaro Mikuni
The stern and unbending counselor of the Iyi clan who recounts the story of Motome Chijiiwa as a warning against false samurai.
Motome Chijiiwa
Played by Akira Ishihama
Hanshiro's son-in-law, a desperate young ronin forced to carry bamboo swords who meets a horrific fate at the Iyi estate.
Miho Tsugumo
Played by Shima Iwashita
Hanshiro's daughter and Motome's devoted wife, who suffers quietly as her family falls into poverty.
Kingo Tsugumo
Played by Ichiro Nakaya
Hanshiro and Miho's young son, innocent victim of the family's tragic circumstances.
Jinnai Chijiiwa
Played by Yoshio Inaba
Hanshiro's former lord and Motome's father, a samurai who committed seppuku after his clan was dissolved.
Yazaemon Hikokuro
Played by Tetsuro Tamba
One of the three Iyi retainers who participated in Motome's forced seppuku, later defeated by Hanshiro.
Umenosuke Kawabe
Played by Masao Mishima
One of the three Iyi retainers who participated in Motome's forced seppuku, later defeated by Hanshiro.
Hayato Masakatsu
Played by Ichiro Nakatani
One of the three Iyi retainers who participated in Motome's forced seppuku, later defeated by Hanshiro.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Hanshiro Tsugumo, a masterless ronin, arrives at the House of Iyi and requests to use their courtyard for ritual suicide. The estate appears orderly and imposing, representing the rigid samurai code.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Hanshiro insists he is sincere in his request and will not be dissuaded. The flashback begins revealing Motome's horrific suicide with a bamboo blade, forced by the clan despite his obvious poverty and desperation.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Hanshiro reveals that Motome was his son-in-law and requests the same three attendants who witnessed Motome's death. This is his active choice to pursue vengeance disguised as ritual, crossing into direct confrontation with the Iyi clan., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat Hanshiro reveals he has already defeated and humiliated the three requested attendants, taking their topknots. This false victory raises stakes: the clan realizes they face a master swordsman seeking to destroy their honor, not just a suicide petitioner., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Hanshiro completes his testimony, revealing his daughter's death from grief and his grandson's death from illness - all while he was away trying to find work. The "whiff of death" is the destruction of his entire family and his own imminent doom., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Hanshiro declares the honor system is a facade and challenges the entire estate to combat. He synthesizes his role as father and warrior, fighting not for honor but for the truth about his family's suffering., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Harakiri's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Harakiri against these established plot points, we can identify how Masaki Kobayashi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Harakiri within the drama genre.
Masaki Kobayashi's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Masaki Kobayashi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.8, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Harakiri takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Masaki Kobayashi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Masaki Kobayashi analyses, see The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer, The Human Condition I: No Greater Love.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hanshiro Tsugumo, a masterless ronin, arrives at the House of Iyi and requests to use their courtyard for ritual suicide. The estate appears orderly and imposing, representing the rigid samurai code.
Theme
Saito, the clan counselor, warns Hanshiro about the recent "racket" of ronin using suicide threats to extort money, stating: "A samurai's word is his life. Once spoken, it cannot be taken back." This establishes the film's central question about honor versus survival.
Worldbuilding
Saito recounts the story of Motome Chijiiwa, another ronin who came requesting ritual suicide. The estate's rigid adherence to honor and the cruel enforcement of the code is established through this cautionary tale.
Disruption
Hanshiro insists he is sincere in his request and will not be dissuaded. The flashback begins revealing Motome's horrific suicide with a bamboo blade, forced by the clan despite his obvious poverty and desperation.
Resistance
Extended flashback showing Motome's backstory: his poverty, sick wife and child, and the desperate circumstances that led him to attempt the suicide bluff. The clan's merciless response demonstrates the system Hanshiro must navigate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Hanshiro reveals that Motome was his son-in-law and requests the same three attendants who witnessed Motome's death. This is his active choice to pursue vengeance disguised as ritual, crossing into direct confrontation with the Iyi clan.
Mirror World
Deeper flashbacks reveal Hanshiro's relationship with Motome and his daughter Miho, showing the warm family life that contrasts with the cold samurai code. This relationship embodies the theme of human compassion versus rigid honor.
Premise
Hanshiro's extended narrative reveals the full tragedy: Motome's desperate attempt to save his dying family, the clan's refusal to show mercy, and Hanshiro's discovery of his family's deaths. The "premise" is Hanshiro's methodical exposure of the clan's hypocrisy.
Midpoint
Hanshiro reveals he has already defeated and humiliated the three requested attendants, taking their topknots. This false victory raises stakes: the clan realizes they face a master swordsman seeking to destroy their honor, not just a suicide petitioner.
Opposition
Saito and the clan mobilize to contain Hanshiro. Tension escalates as Hanshiro continues his story, revealing the clan's complicity in three deaths. The clan attempts to suppress the truth while Hanshiro demands they face their hypocrisy.
Collapse
Hanshiro completes his testimony, revealing his daughter's death from grief and his grandson's death from illness - all while he was away trying to find work. The "whiff of death" is the destruction of his entire family and his own imminent doom.
Crisis
Hanshiro processes the totality of his loss and declares his intent to expose the emptiness of the samurai code. He stands alone in the courtyard, knowing death is certain, but resolved to make his stand count.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Hanshiro declares the honor system is a facade and challenges the entire estate to combat. He synthesizes his role as father and warrior, fighting not for honor but for the truth about his family's suffering.
Synthesis
Hanshiro's final battle against waves of Iyi samurai. He fights magnificently, wounding many, until overwhelmed by firearms and spears. The clan then covers up the incident, restoring their facade of honor while proving Hanshiro's point.
Transformation
The courtyard is restored to pristine condition, all blood cleaned, armor polished. The clan's official story denies Hanshiro's protest ever happened. The system's facade remains intact, revealing the emptiness of the honor code Hanshiro died exposing.