{"id":10700,"date":"2015-12-17T17:07:57","date_gmt":"2015-12-17T17:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.insidejapantours.com\/?p=10700"},"modified":"2025-03-19T12:14:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T12:14:16","slug":"sith-and-samurai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/","title":{"rendered":"Sith &#038; samurai: What you didn&#8217;t know about Star Wars and Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>What might come as some surprise is how much George Lucas and the Star Wars franchise are indebted to Japan and Japanese culture \u2013 a fact acknowledged by the big man himself.<\/p>\n<p>So, before I get too carried away in my excitement, let me introduce you to a few things you might not have known about Star Wars and Japanese culture.<\/p>\n<h2><em>Star Wars<\/em> was inspired by the films of Akira Kurosawa<\/h2>\n<p>George Lucas has never been shy of acknowledging the huge debt that the <em>Star Wars<\/em> saga has to pay to Akira Kurosawa, Japan\u2019s most venerated filmmaker and the director of such classics as <em>Ran, Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo<\/em>, and <em>The Hidden Fortress<\/em>. In interviews, Lucas recalls being struck by how Kurosawa\u2019s films thrust Western audiences into the centre of an alien world without any background explanation of that world&#8217;s culture and rules. He deliberately used the same approach in the <em>Star Wars<\/em> films \u2013 shoving viewers right into the intergalactic action without so much as a by-your-leave. Feudal Japan might as well be outer space to most Western observers, after all.<\/p>\n<p>As well as adopting this storytelling philosophy, Lucas borrowed prolifically from Kurosawa\u2019s filmmaking in general. The plot of <em>Star Wars<\/em>, for instance, is loosely based on Kurosawa\u2019s masterpiece\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0051808\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The<\/em> <em>Hidden Fortress<\/em><\/a> \u2013 in which two peasants assist a battle-hardened general and a princess in their rebellion, and a climactic battle is fought between the general and a former rival.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10736\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10736\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10736\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants.jpg\" alt=\"While the story of The Hidden Fortress is told from the perspective of two lowly peasants (Bottom); Star Wars follows the fortunes of R2D2 and C3PO (Top).\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Peasants-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10736\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">While the story of <em>The Hidden Fortress<\/em> is told from the perspective of two lowly peasants (Bottom); <em>Star Wars<\/em> follows the fortunes of R2D2 and C3PO (Top).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sound familiar? That\u2019s probably because Kurosawa\u2019s peasants correspond to Lucas\u2019s R2D2 and C3PO; his General Rokurota is a Japanese Obi-wan Kenobi; Princess Yuki is an analogue of Princess Leia &#8211; and the old rival is, of course, Darth Vader.<\/p>\n<p>Lucas\u2019s filmography pays homage to Kurosawa\u2019s visual aesthetic, too. The most obvious examples are the blizzard on Hoth in <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0080684\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Empire Strikes Back<\/a><\/em> and the binary sunrise on Tatooine in <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0076759\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A New Hope<\/a><\/em> \u2013 both of which were inspired by scenes in Kurosawa\u2019s <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0071411\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dersu Uzala<\/a><\/em>, released just two years before the first <em>Star Wars<\/em> movie.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10709\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10709\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10709\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise.jpg\" alt=\"A binary sunrise on Tatooine in Star Wars (Top); The sun and the moon are visible at once in Kurosawa's Dersa\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Binary-sunrise-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10709\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A binary sunrise on Tatooine in <em>Star Wars: A New Hope<\/em> (Top); The sun and the moon are visible at once in Kurosawa&#8217;s <em>Dersu Uzala<\/em> (Bottom).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Now tell me that isn\u2019t kind of cool.<\/p>\n<h2>Jedi Knights: the samurai from outer space<\/h2>\n<p>George Lucas\u2019s interest in Japan didn\u2019t stop at an admiration for Kurosawa\u2019s filmmaking; an appreciation for Japanese traditional culture in general pervades the <em>Star Wars<\/em> films. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the members of the Jedi Order, whose noble values and discipline bear a close resemblance to <em>bushido:<\/em> the code of honour used by Japanese samurai.<\/p>\n<p>It is not just the Jedi philosophy that identifies them with the Japanese warrior class \u2013 their clothing is reminiscent of the robes worn by samurai, and their style of lightsabre fighting is closely modelled on the style of sword fighting practised with a samurai <em>katana<\/em>. And if you don\u2019t believe me, apparently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcfarlandbooks.com\/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3461-9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">several people<\/a> have written <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Shimmering-Sword-Samurai-Western-Fighting\/dp\/0971879605\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">books about it<\/a>. So there.<\/p>\n<h2>A Japanese Darth Vader?<\/h2>\n<p>If you needed any more evidence that Jedi are, in fact, the samurai from outer space \u2013 it might interest you to know that the actor originally earmarked for the role of the wise and worldly Obi-wan Kenobi was none other than <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001536\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Toshiro Mifune<\/a>, who played General Rokurota in <em>The Hidden Fortress<\/em>. Oh yes, the plot thickens!<\/p>\n<p>Under the impression that <em>Star Wars<\/em> would be a children\u2019s film, Mifune reportedly turned down the role because he was afraid the franchise might cheapen the image of samurai culture. Mifune\u2019s daughter claims that Lucas then offered the much-loved Japanese actor the role of Darth Vader (a part now synonymous with the voice of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000469\/?ref_=nv_sr_1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James Earl Jones<\/a>), but that he declined this too.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10738\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10738\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10738\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune.jpg\" alt=\"Toshino Mifune\" width=\"800\" height=\"531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Toshiro-Mifune-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10738\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Toshiro Mifune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So could we have ended up with a very different Obi-wan \u2013 or Darth Vader? Very possibly!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-32189 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-7.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"256\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Costume dramas<\/h2>\n<p>The influence of Japanese culture on <em>Star Wars<\/em> is obvious once you start looking for it. Even if you weren\u2019t aware of Lucas\u2019s fondness for samurai movies or his admiration for Toshiro Mifune, you might already have noticed parallels with Japanese culture in the costumes of many of the characters:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10708\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10708\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10708 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala.jpg\" alt=\"Amidala\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala-720x450.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala-390x244.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala-780x488.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Amidala-510x319.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10708\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Queen Amidala\u2019s dress sense seems to take its cue from Japanese Kabuki costumes&#8230; (Left-hand photo: nautiljon.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10734\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10734\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10734 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights.jpg\" alt=\"Jedi-knights\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights-900x450.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights-720x360.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights-390x195.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights-780x390.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Jedi-knights-510x255.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10734\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jedi garb is strikingly similar to traditional samurai robes&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10710\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10710\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10710\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader.jpg\" alt=\"And Darth Vader\u2019s helmet bears more than a passing resemblance to samurai armour.\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader-720x450.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader-390x244.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader-780x488.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Darth-Vader-510x319.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10710\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">And Darth Vader\u2019s helmet bears more than a passing resemblance to samurai armour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><em>Star Wars<\/em> in Japan today<\/h2>\n<p>If you thought that <em>Star Wars<\/em> overkill was bad in the UK and the USA, just take a look at its popularity in Japan. Perhaps it\u2019s the echoes of Japanese traditional culture, or perhaps it\u2019s the <em>kawaii<\/em> potential of ewoks, wookies, and even the much maligned Jar Jar Binks \u2013 but whatever the reason, the Force is undeniably strong in Japan.<\/p>\n<p>With Star<em> Wars<\/em> merchandise and marketing up and down Japan, as you can see from the gallery below, there\u2019s no shortage of exposure for our favourite intergalactic saga in the Land of the Rising Sun!<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-10700 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/index2\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/index2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A portrait of R2D2 &amp; C3PO in sand\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10731\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/index2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/index2-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10731'>\n\t\t\t\tA portrait of R2D2 &#038; C3PO in sand\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/kiyomizu1\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Kiyomizu1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10735\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Kiyomizu1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Kiyomizu1-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10735'>\n\t\t\t\tA Star Wars Japanese screen\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/sapporo-snow-festival-star-wars-1-of-1\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Sapporo-Snow-Festival-Star-Wars-1-of-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Sapporo-Snow-Festival-Star-Wars-1-of-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Sapporo-Snow-Festival-Star-Wars-1-of-1-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10737'>\n\t\t\t\tDarth Vader in snow\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/index\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/index-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10729\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/index-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/index-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10729'>\n\t\t\t\tSchool kids meet the storm troopers\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5361\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5361-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Star Wars Cup Noodle\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5361-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5361-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10728'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars Cup Noodle\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5328\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5328-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5328-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5328-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10727'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars poster\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5310\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5310-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5310-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5310-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10725'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars energy drinks\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5292\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5292-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5292-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5292-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10724'>\n\t\t\t\tI don&#8217;t even know what these are&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5291\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5291-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5291-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5291-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10723'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars drink\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5244\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5244-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5244-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_5244-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10722'>\n\t\t\t\tA Darth Vader hooded blanket (how cosy)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5231-2\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_52311-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Star Wars swag\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_52311-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_52311-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10720'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars swag\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/img_5146-2\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_51461-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10716\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_51461-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_51461-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10716'>\n\t\t\t\tA convenience store decked out in Star Wars finest\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/2-11\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/21-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/21-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/21-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10739'>\n\t\t\t\tLightsabre chopsticks\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/3-10\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/31-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/31-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/31-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10740'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars models\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/4-9\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/41-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/41-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/41-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10741'>\n\t\t\t\tStar Wars dog costumes\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/5-11\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/51-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/51-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/51-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10742'>\n\t\t\t\tMore pet costumes\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/17\/sith-and-samurai\/1-15\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/11-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/11-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/11-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10744'>\n\t\t\t\tVending machine clone wars\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>My personal favourite <em>Star Wars<\/em> merchandise are<a href=\"http:\/\/en.rocketnews24.com\/2015\/04\/17\/sith-lord-or-samurai-lord-darth-vader-becomes-decorative-doll-for-boys-day-in-japan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> these May Dolls<\/a> \u2013 or <em>Gogatsu Ningyo<\/em> as they are known in Japanese. Traditionally, these miniature suits of samurai armour are set up in Japanese homes in spring and autumn to encourage boys to grow up into strong and healthy young men. A few years ago, Japan launched their own <em>Star-Wars<\/em>-themed May Dolls, which feature Darth Vader, storm troopers, and the crest of the Empire instead of a coat of arms.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10745\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10745\" style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10745 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gogatsu-ningyo.jpg\" alt=\"Join the Dark Side, younglings...\" width=\"580\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gogatsu-ningyo.jpg 580w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gogatsu-ningyo-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gogatsu-ningyo-390x218.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gogatsu-ningyo-510x285.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10745\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Join the Dark Side, kids&#8230; (photo: rocketnews24)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Why Japanese parents want to encourage their younglings to grow up to be evil Sith lords I cannot say, but a film influenced by Japanese culture then influencing Japanese culture in its turn \u2013 like a sort of giant intergalactic ouroboros \u2013 is very pleasing to me.<\/p>\n<p>I could go on about this subject until the tauntauns come home, but I think I should probably leave it there and get myself out to the cinema!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Are you dreaming of exploring Japan yourself? Our expert <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/\">Japan holidays<\/a> team is here to help. Until next time, may the force be with you\u2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F10700\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! What might come as some surprise is how much George Lucas and the Star Wars franchise are indebted to Japan and Japanese culture \u2013 a fact acknowledged by the big man himself. So, before I get too carried away in my excitement, let me introduce you to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2525],"tags":[2134,2605,2628,2629,2630,2631],"class_list":["post-10700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-arts-and-entertainment","tag-star-wars","tag-movie","tag-akira-kurosawa","tag-george-lucas","tag-star-wars-japan","tag-hidden-fortress"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10700"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35000,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10700\/revisions\/35000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}