International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

Colonialism and Western Hegemony: Representations of
Imperialism in The Last Samurai
Arieni Zettira Ariyanto, Sylvia Octa Putri, Pitri Haryanti
Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
*Corresponding Email: pitri.haryanti.@email.unikom.ac.id

Abstract. This study raises the issue of the existence of Western hegemony carried out
by the United States, the purpose of this study was to look for forms of imperialism that
exist in the film The Last Samurai. This study ini uses the theory of hegemony proposed
by Antonio Gramsci and the concept of Soft Power conducted by the United States in
an effort to spread Western ideology to Japan, the method used is a qualitative
descriptive method, qualitative descriptive used in research with the aim to describe
and understand the phenomenon of Western hegemony conducted by the United
States. This study answers several problems contained in the film The Last Samurai.
This study shows that there is a representation of imperialism in the film The Last
Samurai. This can be seen when Nathan Algren, as a representation of America, comes
to Japan to train new military troops. The results of this study show how the character
of Nathan Algren, a former United States military, transformed from a person who
presented Western culture and power to sympathy for traditional Japanese culture,
especially a Samurai. The modernization through changes in the Japanese military
system made the Samurai lose their power in social status. This research also provides
readers with knowledge about imperialism and its depiction in films.

Keywords: Japanese Film, Imperialism, Hegemony

1. Introduction
Colonialism and Western imperialism have become important topics in the study of history
and culture. In the 19th century and early 20th century, Western countries including the United
States expanded their dominance through colonization and military expansion. Under the
influence of this colonialism, colonized countries were forced to adopt Western values because
they were considered more advanced, including their system of government. Japan was one
of the countries affected by colonization. Since the Meiji Restoration at the end of the 19th
century, Japan has sought to adapt to the globalization influence exerted by the West,
including by maintaining its traditional system. In Japan, the samurai class held a high position
in its social structure, they were a military class tasked with serving the ruler or daimyo (my
lord) with loyalty and courage.

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International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

This issue can sometimes be seen in a film. Film is a complex social, psychological, and
aesthetic phenomenon that is a document consisting of stories and images accompanied by
words and music. Thus, film is a multidimensional and complex production. The last samurai
(2003), directed by Edward Zwick, depicts the conflict between Western values brought by
modernization and the Japanese traditions upheld by the samurai group. This film tells the
story of Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a former American soldier involved in training Japanese
troops to face the samurai who are trying to maintain their traditions amid the pressures of
modernity. The themes presence in the films, as well as their implication, both local and global,
are examined in detail [9].
Samurai, among the most popular icons of Japanese history and culture, are often the
subject of common myths or simplifications [10]. As time goes by, Nathan gradually begins to
side with the samurai who reject the westernization imposed by the government at that time.
This is because if westernization truly occurs, the samurai will lose their power in social status
[8]. As is known, the samurai are the highest caste in social status compared to other castes.
Therefore, the samurai reject westernization, leading to conflicts between the samurai and the
Japanese military formed by the government during that era.
This research was conducted to find a depiction of imperialism in a film that depicts similar
events in the past, This research aims to analyze how the film The Last Samurai represents
colonialism and Western hegemony? Specifically, the questions in this research are:
1. How did the history of the United States' first arrival in Japan come about?
2. How does the film The Last Samurai influence perceptions of global power dynamics?
2. Literature Review
The film, The Last Samurai, directed by Edward Zwick, has previously been studied from
various perspectives, one of which is from the perspective of bushido values. Previous research
in the journal entitled Bushido Values in The Movie: Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021)
and The Last Samurai (2003), this research discusses the presentation of bushido values in the
films Ruroini Kenshin: The Beginning (2021) and The Last Samurai [2].
The study used descriptive qualitative to analyze the film. Data collection methods include
watching and reading, identifying, classifying, and selecting. Analyzing data with research
methods using display, explain, and interpret. In the results of the study , it was explained that
the values of bushido presented in the film The Last Samurai (2003) include honor, loyalty,
courage, discipline, honesty, and politeness [13].
In this study, the researchers used the same object as previous study but examined different
problems. The Last Samurai (2003) directed by Edward Zwick by raising the issue of
colonialism and Western hegemony experienced by Japan at the time. The thing that
distinguishes this research from previous research is that this research focuses on the depiction
of imperialism in the film The Last Samurai and compares it with events that occurred in the
past [11].
Researchers use the theory of hegemony as a reference in conducting research this time,
hegemony is not a relationship of dominance by using power, but tends to the relationship of
consent by using political and ideological leadership(Irwan, 2018). In addition theory is
actually a criticism of the concept of reducing thought and considering the essence of a certain
entity as the only absolute truth, especially reductionism and Essentialism inherent in the
thoughts of Marxists and Non-Marxists [6]. The Last Samurai depicted a clash between the
Samurai and modernization imposed by the Western powers through their military might.

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International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

Using the theory of hegemony, it can be analyzed how the film shows the process of Western
hegemony penetrating into Japan through social changes, new values, and government
systems implanted by Western powers.
3. Method
Researchers use the qualitative descriptive method to explore meaning, describe
Qualitative descriptive to understand the problems used in the film The Last Samurai, describe
Qualitative allows researchers to explore how colonialism and Western hegemony are
represented in The Last Samurai through the narrative, characters and social dynamics that
existed at that time.
The purpose of using descriptive method is to make a factual and accurate description of
the facts between phenomena studied, according to Mulyana in [7] Qualitative research aims
to maintain the form and content of human behavior and analyze its qualities, rath er than
being entities.
Researchers used an objective approach in this study, according to Hasanddin objective
approach in [5], An objective approach is an approach that prioritizes the investigation of
literary works based on the reality of the literary text itself.
Researchers will collect data from depictions of storylines in films to identify how
imperialism and colonialism are portrayed. After obtaining the data, the researchers will
compare it with Japanese historical literature the Meiji Restoration era and the representation
of history in that movie, The researchers will analyze the narrative of the film and its accuracy
in the history of Japan in the meiji era. Researchers will connect data from the film with relevan
theories, as well as consider how ini the film represents the problems of colonialism and
Western hegemony in The Last Samurai.
4. Results and Discussion
Film is one of the products of Mass Communication whose influence able to reach all
segments of society. Movies can represent a culture and function as a cultural process of a
society presented in the form of moving images [4]. According to Goldin in, Representation is
a configuration that can represent something else in some way. In The Last Samurai, clearly
depicted Western imperialism and colonialism countries that are trying to maintain their
traditional values. Colonialism is derived from the word colony, colony according to latin is a
settlement. An effort made by ruling countries to control a region or territory in order to obtain
resources is called colonialism. In addition to colonialism, the existence of imperialism is also
seen in this film ini or in the original history.Imperialism according to Rauschenberger said
that in general cultural imperialism refers to the spread and power of United States consumer
products and culture throughout the world, with many countries claiming the erosion of their
local cultural traditions and values. In addition to colonialism and Imperialism, the problem
that can be seen is the existence of Western hegemony carried out by America. Hegemony in
Gramsci's sense is a consensus in which submission is obtained through acceptance of the
hegemony class by the hegemonic class(Siswati, 2018).
Gramsci proposed three levels of hegemony, hegemony integral, decadent hegemony and
minimal hegemony. Gramsci in (Siswati, 2018), Hegemoni integral, Society shows a solid
degree of moral and intellectualunity, which is evident from the organic relationship of
government and the governed. The relationship is not tinged with contradictions and
antagonism both socially and ethically. Hegemony Decadent is characterized by the potential

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International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

for disintegration or potential for conflict hidden beneath the surface, meaning that even
though the existing system has achieved its needs and goals, the mentality of the masses is not
really in harmony with the dominant thought and the subject of hegemony. Minimum
hegemony, is hegemony that rests on the ideological unity between elit economic, politica l and
intellectual elites, which goes hand in hand with the aversion to any mass interference in the
life of the state.
This can be seen when Nathan is sent to train new Japanese military forces using modern
methods. In History, Americans came first to Japan in the 19th century. In the 17th century
Japan was being led by a shogun named Tokugawa, Tokugawa implemented the Sakoku
system , namely the closure of the country from the outside world, this was because he wanted
to protect Japan from European influence and Christianity to maintain political stability.
However, in the 19th century Japan was urged by foreign countries to open their countries so
that other countries could dock and trade in Japan. Matthew Perry who was a Commodore of
the United States Navy first arrived in Japan in 1853, Perry brought a warrant from American
President, Millard Fillmore, asking Japan to open its ports to trade, and if Japan refused then
he would return with a larger fleet [15]. Nathan algren in The last samurai has a role as Western
influence that comes to Japan, initially Nathan is a power from the West used to train new
Japanese military forces, so it poses a threat to changing the way of life of the Japanese and all,
including Samurai. But over time, Nathan sympathized with the Samurai who adhered to their
morals and tried to protect their culture. This led to a tension between acceptance and
resistance to the dominance of Western culture [14].
Katsumuto's character in this film ini is a Samurai leader who rejects Westernization,
Samurai comes from the old Japanese ‘samorau’ which means to serve, then men
becomes‘saburai’ and then called ‘samurai’,whichmeans servants who serve their masters.
There is also the term ‘bushi’ which is similar to ‘armed people’ or ‘military people’. ‘samurai’
and ‘bushi’ becomes a synonym in late 12 century [3].The moral values possessed by a Samurai
are known as Bushido, according to Rahma in Bushido Japanese samurai code of conduct
Jepangthat governs their way of life and prinsipmoral principlesmereka [1]. In bahasa
Japanese, "Bushido " literally means "the way of the warrior" and consists of 7 values such as
integrity (Gi), courage (Yuu), compassion (Jin), respect (Rei), sincerity (Makoto), honor
(Meiyo), and loyalty (Chugi). Through Katsumuto we can see the resistance efforts made by
the Samurai to maintain the principles of honor, sacrifice and loyalty that are important
principles by the Samurai [12]. The Japanese government at that time considered that Samurai
alone were not enough to keep Japan from the threat of the outside world in Table 1.

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International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

Table 1.
Scene

Explanation
This scene represents Western imperial
powers asserting influence over Japan, as
the government turns to Western experts to
modernize and avoid colonization. The
Japanese government’s reliance on foreign
military

help

shows

how

Western

imperialism has shaped Japan’s military
strategies and modernization.
Katsumoto’s death symbolizes the loss of
Japan’s traditional culture under the
pressure of imperialism. The samurai way
of life is rendered obsolete in the face of
modern military power, a direct result of
Western influence.
The samurai rebellion is a direct form of
resistance against the imperialist forces.
The samurai’s desire to preserve their way
of life represents the tension between
maintaining

national

identity

and

succumbing

to

pressure

of

the

Westernization and imperialism. This
visual conveys the cultural clash of
modernization imposed by the West.

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International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

Scene

Explanation
The Emperor and his officials are shown in
a government meeting, with the Emperor
dressed in

a

Western-style uniform.

There’s a visual contrast between the
Emperor, who represents the shift towards
modernity, and the traditional samurai
warriors who resist such changes.
The Imperial Army, modernized using
Western

technology

and

symbolizes

the force of

tactics,

imperialism

overtaking Japan’s traditional culture and
way of life. The samurai, in contrast,
embody the old feudal system and
resistance to foreign-imposed change. The
clash between these two forces symbolizes
the struggle between Western imperial
influence

and

Japan’s

cultural

preservation.
In history, this conflict is called the rebellion or also known as the Seinan War, this rebellion
ini took place in Japan from 1877 to 1878. This rebellion was led by a Samurai named Saigo
Takamori, Takamori was disappointed because of the Westernization that the government
wanted to do at that time, with Westernization Takamori felt that the Samurai class was
marginalized and not respected anymore. At the end of the film, Nathan gives Katsumoto's
sword to Emperor Meiji as a symbol of respect for samurai and traditional Japanese culture.
Although the Japanese world has changed radically, the values of the samurai and the
sacrifices they made can be remembered despite now seeing Japan from a different
perspective.
5. Conclusion
Through the perspective Hegemony of Antonia Gramsci's theory of hegemony, the film shows
how the Western powers, in this film The United States, seek to dominate and change
traditional Japanese culture and values through military force and ideology. Represents
imperialism in this film looks at the interaction between traditional Japanese culture with
Western influences in the film The last samurai is portrayed by Nathan algren's character who
is a former American soldier. Nathan is involved in a conflict between Japanese forces who

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International Journal of Computer in Humanities
5(1)(2025) 58-65
Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

want to keep their traditions from Western powers who want to Westernize, although Nathan
is a former American soldier, he also tried to maintain the traditions of the Samurai. Overall,
this film not only describes the history of Japan, but also a reflection of the process of
hegemony that occurred at that time. Where Western powers try to impose their ideology in a
way that is full of conflict, but also provides space for resistance and cultural transformation
is quite complex. In this film hegemony is not something that is absolute, but the existence of
a process that is met by negotiation, resistance and adaptation of the colonized party.
Acknowledgement
On this occasion, the author would like to express her deepest gratitude to the supervisor,
Sylvia Octa Putri, Lecturer in International Relations at the Universitas Komputer Indonesia
and Pitri Haryanti, lecturer of Japanese literature Study at the Universtas Komputer Indonesia.
For their guidance, support, and direction which are very meaningful in the preparation of
this journal. They has provided knowledge, motivation, and very valuable suggestions during
the process of this research. Hopefully the kindness and knowledge that have been given can
provide great benefits, both for the author and for the advancement of the world of education
in general.
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Journal homepage: https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/injuchum

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