Gohatto (Taboo) Japanese Samurai Movie

Curious facts

Did you know that...

• The movie is based on the novellas "Maegami No Sozaburo" and "Sanjogawara Ranjin" from "Shinsengumi Keppuroku" by one of the most popular japanese historical writer Ryotaro Shiba ((1923-1996)).

• The novell in its turn is based on historical events during late shogunate period.

• Who were Shinsengumi?
  The Shinsengumi were a special police force of the late shogunate period (between 1853 and 1867, during which Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy and modernized from a feudal shogunate to the Meiji government).
  
  

• So, the most of characters are real-life historical persons (maybe except Sozaburo Kano and Hyozo Tashiro).

• Filming took place in Kyoto in Chion-in Temple.
  

• Actually Shinsengumi's outfit was patterned blue. Outfit used in the movie was designed by Emi Wada, who also created costumes for the Akira Kurosawa film "Ran" (1985, Won Oscar in nomination Best Costume Design), Zhang Yimou films "Hero" (2002) and "House of Flying Daggers" (2004).
  
  Outfit based on nazist designs was developed especially to show a parallel between Shinsengumi and Hitlerites, who also struggled with homosexuality in their ranks.
  

• Gion is a district of Kyoto where Shinsengumi's quarter were located.
  It was originally developed in the middle ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine. The district was built to accommodate the needs of travelers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan.
  

• What is Ikedaya Incident?
  The Ikedaya Jiken, also known as the Ikedaya Affair or Ikedaya Incident, was a famous armed encounter between the shishi (anti-shogunate political activists) from Choshu Domain (now Yamaguchi Prefecture) and the Shinsengumi, the bakufu's special police force on July 8, 1864 at the Ikedaya ryokan (type of japanese hotel) in Kyoto, Japan.
  
  

• How old was Kano Sozaburo?
  According to the movie Kano Sozaburo 17-18 years old. Actor performed this role (Ryuhei Matsuda) was only 15. It was his first role in cinema. Although his father is famous actor Yusaku Matsuda.

• Which creatures was Inoue talking about to Kano?
  Tanuki is the Japanese word for raccoon dog. They have been part of Japanese folklore since ancient times. The legendary tanuki is reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise and shapeshifting, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded.
  
  Kappa ("river-child"), alternately called Gatarou ("river-boy") or Kawako ("river-child"), are legendary creatures; a type of water sprite found in Japanese folklore. However they are also considered to be a part of cryptozoology, due to apparent sightings. In Shintoism they are considered to be one of many suijin (literally "water-deity").