“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.