Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai Film Poster Country Directed by Akira Kurosawa Release Date 1954 Language Japanese Studio Toho Distributor Toho Company Main Cast Character Actor Kambei Shimada Takashi Shimura Katsushirō Isao Kimura Gorōbei Yoshio Inaba Shichirōji Daisuke Katō Heihachi Minoru Chiaki Kyūzō Seiji Miyaguchi Kikuchiyo Toshirô Mifune The bandit chief Shinpei Takagi

Seven Samurai is the 1954 classic directed by Akira Kurosawa that centers around seven Samurai hired to defend a village from bandits. While directly remade as The Magnificent Seven, the film's influences is evident in numerous films such as The Dirty Dozen, The Sixth (Shestoy), Sholay, Yamakasi and Ocean's Eleven as well as the original Star Wars.

The following guns were used in the film Seven Samurai:

16th Century Tanegashima Matchlock Musket

While the film is best known for its swordplay, the 16th Century Tanegashima Matchlock Musket is seen used in the film. Three Tanegechimas are used by the bandits against the Samurai. Kyuzo (Seiji Myaguchi) steals one to examine during a solo raid. Kikuchiyo (Toshirô Mifune) later abandons his post to steal another one. The bandit chief (Shinpei Takagi) uses the remaining one in the final raid.

A Tanegashima similar to what was used. These weapons were influenced more by muskets from South Asia than Europe.

Bandit armed with a tanegashima. The shape of the gun is seen here.