Harakiri
“Harakiri” (1962), directed by Masaki Kobayashi, is a poignant and critical exploration of the samurai code and the feudal system in 17th-century Japan. The film unfolds through the story of Hanshiro Tsugumo (Tatsuya Nakadai), an aging ronin (masterless samurai) who arrives at the estate of the powerful Iyi clan, seeking permission to commit seppuku (a form of ritual suicide also known as harakiri) in their courtyard. The clan’s senior counselor, Saito (Rentaro Mikuni), is suspicious of Tsugumo’s motives, suspecting he might be bluffing to gain sympathy and financial aid.
To dissuade him, Saito recounts the tragic tale of another ronin, Motome Chijiiwa, who had recently requested the same favor but was forced to follow through with the act using a bamboo sword, resulting in a gruesome and painful death. Undeterred, Tsugumo insists on proceeding with his request.
As the story progresses through a series of flashbacks, Tsugumo reveals his true motives. It is unveiled that Motome was his son-in-law, who had been driven to desperation due to poverty. The film delves into the harsh realities faced by samurai during this era, who, despite their noble heritage, often faced abject destitution.
The narrative culminates in a gripping and emotionally charged confrontation, where Tsugumo challenges the integrity of the samurai code and the honor of the Iyi clan. The film’s climax is both a critique of the hypocrisy within the samurai tradition and a personal vendetta, leading to a tragic yet thought-provoking conclusion.
“Harakiri” is a masterful blend of drama, social commentary, and moral questioning, renowned for its powerful performances, particularly by Nakadai, and Kobayashi’s incisive direction. The film is celebrated for its critical stance on the rigidity and inhumanity of feudal Japan’s social structures.
Website
Well, I have been behind on what I want to do here. I placed the site in maintenance mode for awhile trying to figure how how to do shipping properly. It shouldn’t be that hard but it isn’t so easy. Flate rates are great but it becomes complicated when you put mutliple items in the cart. I am still figuring it out but I think I have it now.
Then a timeline plugin that I used to create timelines in the Country Guides posts made the website vulnerable to attacks and I had to delete it which, of course, deleted all the timelines as well. They will take a long time to re-create. So those are messed up.
I have been sorting through a mass of stamps which is also time consuming. I need to do it before I can post them online. The scanning (for photos) of stamps also takes awhile so progress has been slow.
There is no activity on the site. No one posting in the forums. No comments. Orders are disabled until I can test. Plus I am very busy in work at the moment.
Since this is a long term project, it is ok. This is just an update.
Quality Over Quantity
I see many people in Facebook groups showing items they purchased. Some are large collections and when you examine the photos you can see that most (if not all) are low cost and common items. I guess many kiloware items might be like this.
I have never had the money to spend on expensive single items. I have never wanted large lots of materials that I may already have and since my collection is reasonably restricted with large lots I am sure I would end up with much material I do not want or need.
So what to do?
The only answer to someone like me, that I can see, is to keep track of what I have so I do not buy things I already own (I am not a hoarder nor do I want multiple items…. I want just one). This entails a have/want list. This entails time. Time to catalog individual stamps.
Having started this website I see the time it takes to enter information about each stamp on here. A 10c stamps takes time to put up… so time is valuable and the cost of the stamp should reflect a reasonable premium to the base cost. The seller is taking the time to ID and put up for you to buy, the buyer knows what they are buying.
Let’s look at the typical markups for items that you are or have bought in the past:
Clothing Markups: 100-350%
Jeans are the biggest culprit in the clothing category. The price of boutique denim jeans can reflect a markup of 350%. Jeans from mid-level retailers like Kohl’s or JCPenney are slightly saner with an average markup of 115%.
Shoe Markups: 100-500%
Markup is as varied in the footwear industry as sizes and styles. Typical cross-trainers or athletic shoes carry a 100% mark-up, while higher-end fashion shoes at boutique stores can be marked up by as much as 500%.
Cell Phone Markups: 8-10%
The entire category of electronics has some of the lowest markups around. Cell phones, for example, are only bumped up about 8% between wholesale and retail. The profit center for phones lies in the service contracts and usage fees. Manufacturers can operate with a lower retail markup because the real money is in the service.
Furniture Markups: 200-400%
No industry manipulates the meaningless MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) quite like the furniture industry. Salespeople usually receive a 15-20% commission if they sell an item at the inflated MSRP. But there’s another helpful abbreviation to know: MAP (Manufacturer’s Advertised Price). This lower price is the minimum at which most retailers are allowed to sell the item. Salespeople resist consumers who ask for this price and only receive about 7% commission on MAP sales.
Grocery Markups: 5-25%
Grocers certainly operate on slimmer profit margins than most other retailers. According to the Retail Owners Institute, stores typically maintain a narrow margin of 5-8% on the staples and then broaden their margins on luxury or indulgence items (think high-end coffees, chocolate, wines, etc.).
Cosmetics Markups: 60-80%
According to the research firm Euromonitor, the average markup on premium cosmetics is 78%. Since most cosmetics are composed of various combinations of good ol’ dirt, oil, wax, and fragrance, this relatively small markup adds up to big profits.
Prescription Medicine Markups: 200-5,600%
According to an expose by the Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV, pharmaceutical companies enjoy a 200-5,600% markup on their drugs in the US. Canada and several European nations impose a ceiling on drug prices and actively negotiate with drug manufacturers to keep costs down. No such safeguards exist here; even generic drugs in the US can be marked up by as much as 1,200%. Sure, development costs are high for some of these life-saving medications, but the markup has no expiration date.
New Car Markups: 8-10%
Not factoring in extended warrantees, finance charges, and other add-ons, auto dealers markup car prices by about 10%. Dealers’ intricate pricing structures involve invoice prices, transportation charges, dealer holdbacks, and incentives — enough confusing consumer fodder to fill a dozen articles. Suffice to say, the more you know about the secret cabal of car dealerships and how they arrive at their sticker prices, the better chance you’ll have of knowing where to begin your negotiating.
Eyeglasses Markups: 800-1,000%
It’s amazing but true: Some opticians charge 1,000% over wholesale for the hottest designer frames. Malls and larger chain stores are the worst offenders, with many other peripheral costs factored into the price of those fancy frames.
So with these markups and they high cost of shipping (and the percentage that places like Ebay and Hipstamp charge) it’s easy to see that a modest markup on stamps is reasonable. Yes?
So, when I buy stamps for my collection (which is not often) I need to narrow the focus to what I want and need. I can’t be like many buying expensive albums and collections with shoeboxes. It would be a waste of money and time in the long run.
I also can’t spend a lot. I have too many other things I need to spend money and time on. Does that make me less of a collector than someone with deep pockets? Yes…. and No. I will never have an impressive or large collection, that much is true, but I also realize that I a am not going to find hidden treasure and most things sold are picked over many times before put online.
I also have been scammed. I bought a lot on ebay of a number of items. There was one stamp that I wanted. When the package came that one was missing. The seller “H*T TEX*N said he couldn’t find it. After I wrote negative feedback I received a vulgar email from him and was blocked. He had numerous complaints on his ebay feedback so it was my own fault but there are shitty sellers out there like him.
Christopher McFetridge of Brixton Chrome always said that a seller should build a relationship of trust with the buyers. I think that is wise. I also think mentorship and the transfer of knowledge is important (hence the Country Guides on this site) as well as finding ways of showing others the value and how interesting stamp collecting can be (hence the Stamp Stories on this site).
Is it working? No. Not at the moment. Not a single sale. Not a single subscriber. Not a single page view.
Let’s see what happens. Let’s give it more time and effort before we give up.
Anseim Kiefer – Grane
Anselm Kiefer is a German painter and sculptor known for his monumental and often provocative works that explore themes of history, mythology, and memory. He was born on March 8, 1945, in Donaueschingen, Germany.
Kiefer’s work is characterized by its use of diverse materials, including lead, concrete, straw, and ash, as well as its large-scale installations that engage with both personal and collective narratives. He often incorporates symbolism and references to German history and culture, particularly the traumatic legacy of the Nazi era and World War II.
One of Kiefer’s recurring motifs is the landscape, which he uses as a metaphor for both physical and psychological terrain. His paintings and sculptures frequently depict desolate, barren landscapes, evoking a sense of destruction and decay, but also the possibility of renewal and regeneration.
Throughout his career, Kiefer has addressed complex and challenging subjects, such as the Holocaust, German identity, and the relationship between art and history. His work has earned him international acclaim and has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world.
Anselm Kiefer’s art is renowned for its depth, complexity, and visual power, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of his generation. His work continues to provoke thought and stimulate dialogue about the enduring legacies of the past in the present day.
Adolph Gottlieb – Apparition
Adolph Gottlieb was an American abstract expressionist painter, born on March 14, 1903, in New York City, and he passed away on March 4, 1974. He was a prominent figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, which emerged in New York in the mid-20th century.
Gottlieb is perhaps best known for his iconic series of paintings titled “Pictographs” and “Bursts.” In these works, he utilized simple geometric shapes and symbols, often arranged in a grid-like format, to evoke a sense of primal or mythic imagery. His use of bold colors and strong lines helped to create dynamic compositions that conveyed a sense of energy and tension.
One of Gottlieb’s significant contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement was his development of the “pictographic” style, which incorporated elements of both abstraction and representation. This style aimed to express universal themes and emotions through simplified and archetypal forms.
In addition to his artistic practice, Gottlieb was also a co-founder of “The Ten,” a group of New York-based abstract artists who sought to promote abstract art in America. He was a leading advocate for the importance of artistic expression and the role of the artist in society.
Gottlieb’s work continues to be celebrated for its boldness, originality, and emotional depth. He remains an influential figure in the history of American art, particularly within the context of the Abstract Expressionist movement.
A.R. Penck – 4mm, Die Geschichte der 4
A.R. Penck was the pseudonym of Ralf Winkler, a German painter, sculptor, and musician known for his distinctive and expressive style, which often combined elements of primitivism, graffiti, and abstraction. He was born on October 5, 1939, in Dresden, Germany, and passed away on May 2, 2017.
Penck emerged as a prominent figure in the art world during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in East Germany, where his work challenged the restrictions imposed by the socialist regime. His paintings often featured simplified, geometric forms, stick figures, and symbols, which he used to explore themes of identity, communication, and human experience.
Throughout his career, Penck drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including prehistoric art, tribal symbols, and contemporary popular culture. He was deeply interested in the relationship between individual and society, and his work often reflected his experiences living in both East and West Germany.
In addition to his visual art, Penck was also a musician and a member of the avant-garde rock band “E.A.T. (Elastic All Terrain).” His multidisciplinary approach to art and his willingness to explore new ideas and techniques made him a highly influential figure in the European art scene.
A.R. Penck’s work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important German artists of the 20th century. His bold and innovative style continues to inspire artists and collectors today.
August Sander – Young Girl in Circus Caravan
August Sander was a German photographer known for his seminal project “People of the 20th Century,” a comprehensive photographic portrait of German society during the early 20th century. He was born on November 17, 1876, in Herdorf, Germany, and died on April 20, 1964, in Cologne.
Sander’s project aimed to categorize and document the diverse social strata and professions that comprised German society at the time. His portraits were characterized by their straightforward and unembellished style, often depicting subjects against plain backgrounds and in natural light. Sander’s approach was influenced by his belief in the importance of objective observation and his interest in sociology.
“People of the 20th Century” consisted of a series of photographic portfolios organized into seven categories, including “The Farmer,” “The Skilled Tradesman,” “The Woman,” and “The Artist.” Sander’s portraits captured the essence of his subjects and provided a candid glimpse into their lives, occupations, and social status.
Although Sander’s work fell out of favor during the Nazi regime, which deemed it as “degenerate art,” his photographs have since been recognized for their cultural and historical significance. His portraits offer a valuable record of German society during a period of significant social, political, and economic change.
August Sander’s legacy as a photographer is enduring, with his work continuing to be celebrated for its artistic merit and documentary value. His portraits remain influential in the fields of photography and sociology, offering valuable insights into the human experience and the complexities of society.
Andreas Gursky – Sha Tin
Andreas Gursky is a contemporary German photographer known for his large-scale, digitally manipulated images that often depict vast landscapes, crowded urban scenes, and complex architectural spaces. He was born on January 15, 1955, in Leipzig, East Germany.
Gursky is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to transform ordinary subjects into mesmerizing visual experiences through his use of scale, composition, and digital manipulation techniques. His photographs often feature striking patterns, repetition, and symmetry, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between humans and their environments in the modern world.
One of Gursky’s most famous works is “Rhein II,” a photograph of the Rhine River that he digitally altered to remove all signs of human activity, creating a serene and minimalist depiction of the landscape. In 2011, “Rhein II” sold for over $4 million, making it the most expensive photograph ever sold at the time.
Throughout his career, Gursky has explored a wide range of subjects, from stock exchanges and factories to natural landscapes and crowded public spaces. His images challenge traditional notions of photography and raise questions about the nature of representation, reality, and perception in the digital age.
Gursky’s work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important photographers of his generation. His innovative approach to photography continues to inspire and influence artists and photographers today.
Alvin Langdon Coburn – St. Paul’s and Other Spires
Alvin Langdon Coburn was an influential American photographer known for his pioneering contributions to pictorialism and abstract photography. He was born on June 11, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts, and showed an early interest in photography.
Coburn gained recognition for his atmospheric and artistic images, which often depicted landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits. He was a key figure in the pictorialist movement, which emphasized photography as a form of artistic expression rather than mere documentation. Coburn experimented with various techniques, including soft focus, multiple exposures, and alternative printing processes, to create visually striking images that evoked emotion and atmosphere.
One of Coburn’s most famous works is his series of photographs of London, including his iconic image “The Octopus,” which captures the bustling energy of the city’s streets. He also produced innovative abstract photographs using mirrors and prisms to create kaleidoscopic effects.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Coburn was a leading advocate for photography as a legitimate art form. He was a member of the Photo-Secession group founded by Alfred Stieglitz and exhibited his work in major art galleries and salons around the world.
Coburn’s legacy as a photographer and advocate for the arts continues to be celebrated today. His innovative approach to photography and his efforts to elevate the medium as an art form have had a lasting impact on the development of modern photography.