“Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” A Jarmusch film that combines hip-hop, martial arts, and diverse cultures

Forest Whitaker, the real karate guy

The lead role of Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is played by Forest Whitaker, who has now won an Academy Award for his role in The Last King of Scotland (2006). He is a large, heavyweight actor, far removed from the image of The Samurai we have in our minds. However, Whitaker is a serious karate practitioner who went to kenpo karate three or four times a week from the age of 11 until he was in his fifties, and is a black belt holder. Moreover, when he found out that Kali master Dan Inosanto's dojo was nearby, he went there for many years. Furthermore, he is an athlete who played American football in his school days and has even taken up yoga recently. His physique makes him look like he is not good at sports, but he is actually a super athlete.

"The Last King of Scotland" trailer

Guns were the main focus in the action scenes of this film, but in the rooftop sword and machete training scenes, Forest Whitaker's serious action can be seen. Although it is advertised as a "The Samurai" film, the action scenes are focused on American-style gun action. In particular, the scene with Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Louie at the end of the film is reminiscent of a Western movie.

Also, when Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai places his gun under his arm, he does so in a gesture that resembles sheathing a sword, creating a successful fusion of not only hip hop and martial arts, but also East and West.

The intersection of hip hop and Mars shirt arts