Seki Bes - Tumblr Posts
Why Seki needed to die
After watching the season finale of Blue Eye Samurai, Seki tragically dies protecting Akemi. In his last moments, he asks Akemi to choose her own path. Whether it would be running away with a lover or choosing to rule over Japan, it should be Akemi to choose her own path. Not her father's, not the royal family, not even Taigen. Just her. I do think it's especially depressing that Seki was the only person to ever ask what Akemi wanted. He was also the only person to encourage her to choose her own path, no matter what anyone else thought.
Seki was Akemi's mentor, closest friend, mother-figure, father figure, and caretaker through out Akemi's life. That is exactly the reason why he needed to die. Akemi needed to choose, and after Seki's death, she realized she wanted to be great. Not just for herself, but for the women of Japan, and for Seki. He died for her, and she couldn't let his death be in vain.
In Blue Eye Samurai, Akemi is often depicted as a bird in a cage. Beautiful but trapped. Throughout her whole life, she's always been subjected to the decisions of others. But this bird symbolism goes beyond feeling trapped.
In order for a bird to be able to fly, it needs to fly for itself. The parent bird can't interfere otherwise the baby bird will never learn how to fly. I believe that Seki was both the parent bird and the cage. Akemi can't always rely on Seki to achieve greatness. She must break out of her cage to fly. Seki was her only parent figure growing up, eventually a child needs to leave their parent to continue the cycle of life. Seki dying represented a bird leaving its nest.
Now how is Seki also the cage in Akemi's life? Her dependance on others was Akemi's cage. Akemi always relied on other people; she had no choice. After all, she was a woman in the Edo Period. Women did not have many choices. For Akemi to be great, she cannot always depend on others. Seki was the one person Akemi full heartedly depended on. But his death finally broke the cage Akemi was in. Seki wanted Akemi to have freedom to do whatever she wanted in her life. Akemi had been struggling with what path she truly wanted for her life. Seki's death made her choose her destiny. Akemi finally escaped her cage so she decided to fly with greatness that only a competent Empress of Japan could be.
Incorrect quotes
Mizu: What doesn't kill me should run, because now I'm fucking pissed.
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Taigen: I must restore my honour back.
Ringo: Would you like some soup to grow back your hair? I hear that these mushrooms make hair growth more effective :)
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Mizu: You seem familiar? Have I killed your father? How about your lover? I probably stabbed you at some point.
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Mizu: Ringo.
Ringo: :3
Mizu: I need you to be serious.
Ringo: >:3
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Taigen: I fear no man
Taigen: But that
*homoerotic feelings towards Mizu*
Taigen: That scares me
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Akemi: I actually don't mind when people underestimate me because I am a woman. It makes it much easier to plan the downfall of people when they're focused on me being a proper lady.
Seki: That's my girl :)
Madame Kaji's role
Madame Kaji is a headstrong, strong-willed, sharp tongued, yet caring woman in Blue Eye Samurai. We see her softer side when she was heartbroken that Kinuyo was taken from her by Boss Hamata. Her disdain for men shows up when she tells Akemi that men are weak, yet still feel the need to be powerful.
Eventually Madame Kaji and her girls are recruited to be Akemi's Lady-in-waitings, her advisors, and her companions in the palace. We see that Madame Kaji is serious about the job when she sees Mizu. Stating that it was improper of a man to be in the womens' quarters, and that she saw how Mizu watched the guards take Akemi away. Madame Kaji only budges when Mizu mentions that Akemi is in danger. So, we see that Madame Kaji does care for Akemi.
The question now is, what will be Madame Kaji's role in the future? With Seki dead, I believe that Madame Kaji will become Akemi's new mentor. But, she will differ from Seki. Madame Kaji will most likely assist Akemi's goal to becoming great. Chances are, she will encourage Akemi to manipulate her husband even further to give Akemi more power in the palace. After all, Madame Kaji did advise Akemi, "...nurture his weakness and become his strength."
Madame Kaji will push Akemi to become ruthless and manipulative to gain power in court. We've already seen Akemi manipulate Taigen during sex when she convinced him that Mizu did not give him a proper duel. Madame Kaji will Akemi the push she needs to gain control in the palace. If Seki taught Akemi how to bring honour, then Madame Kaji will teach her how to take it. Either by manipulation or by swaying the court to her favour.
I noticed that I thought Madame Kaji and Lady Ito were similar in a way. They were both women in positions of authority. (Lady Ito is currently the Empress and Madame Kaji was the manager in a brothel before becoming Akemi's Lady-in-Waiting.) Both Madame Kaji and Lady Ito have no problem with talking back to Akemi. Also both are intelligent, well-spoken, have groups of people that are loyal to them (Lady Ito's clan, sons, and the nobles in court. Madam Kaji and her girls.) And both are ruthless when it comes to their enemies. Lady Ito made her son lock the door behind them, trapping the nobles, because they saw the Shogun's less honourable side. While Madame Kaji killed Boss Hamata due to his abuse.
Since Lady Ito had made it clear she does not like Akemi, I believe that Madame Kaji will be her foil. Her parallel of some sort. Both women share multiple qualities but one is at the top of society while the other has been near the bottom almost her whole life. From what I have seen of Lady Ito, I believe that she will look down on Madame Kaji and will have a rivalry with her. Same with Madame Kaji, since Lady Ito has constantly taunted Akemi during her stay at the palace.
Madame Kaji will most likely become the key for Akemi to gain the upper hand against the Empress. Perhaps Madame Kaji or one of her girls will overhear of a secret of the Empress. Remember that Lady Ito knew of her husband's secret tradings with the West and kept it on the down low. She probably has some secrets of her own as well. Secrets that could strip her of her power or ruin her reputation.
When the palace burnt down, we learned that Akemi's father is still alive. Akemi offers to take care of him, but she has a devious smile. Akemi will try to punish her father in some way of course, but I believe she will also try to use him. From what we've seen from Akemi, she doesn't use brute force to control people. She prefers emotional manipulation. She's done this to Taigen, the random man she served in the brothel, and her husband to get her way.
Akemi's way of control lines up with Madame Kaji's view on how women get their revenge. Stating that revenge is a luxury for men, but women need to be more practical and focus on the result. They make the perfect duo. An experienced, cunning, and cutthroat advisor paired up with a ruler who is ambitious, conniving, and eager to play Go with the people around her as her Go pieces.
They will most definitely pair up to use Akemi's father for their plans. Whether through blackmail or something more sinister. Perhaps they will use Madame Kaji's girls to eavesdrop on important conversations that hold secrets of the royal family. No matter the method, Madame Kaji will ensure that Akemi will achieve greatness because not only will it benefit Akemi's future, but also her girls' future.
Seki was the mentor that Akemi needed while growing up, but Madame Kaji is the advisor that Akemi needs if she wants to navigate the backstabbing, dishonourable royal court to get to the top.