Soga Japan Center Special Talk: Streaming Samurai: Historical Japan in Contemporary Media
"Streaming Samurai: Historical Japan in Contemporary Media"
Although the age of samurai ended more than 150 years ago, medieval Japanese warriors continue to fascinate people today as characters in video games, movies and on television.
This talk analyzes the depiction of samurai in three recent streaming shows: “Shōgun” (2024), “Blue Eye Samurai” (2023) and “Age of Samurai” (2021). Can they promote historical understanding while conveying entertaining stories? How do they balance accuracy with viewer expectations?
What does their popularity reveal about Western ideas of Japan? This talk explores these and related questions of historical authenticity, spectatorship and reception, and the stakes inherent in the transposition of contemporary issues onto historical but fictionalized settings.
"Streaming Samurai: Historical Japan in Contemporary Media" is presented by Dr. Ethan Segal, associate professor from Michigan State University. Join us Nov. 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Brown Hall, Room 3025. The event is free and open to the public.
This event is part of International Education Week 2025. Find a full listing of International Education Week events online. See our announcement about this year's celebration.
The Consul General of Japan in Detroit, Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori, shared insights into Japan’s presence and contributions in Michigan in October 2025. From business and industry to cultural exchange and community connections, this talk explored how Japan and Michigan continue to shape one another through shared partnerships and people-to-people ties.