Katsumoto Quotes in The Last Samurai (2003)

Katsumoto: You believe a man can change his destiny?

Algren: I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.

Katsumoto: The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.

[Katsumoto hands a samurai sword to Algren, it has a message written on it]

Algren: What does it say?

Katsumoto: "I belong to the warrior in whom the old ways have joined the new."

Algren: [shouting] What do you want from me?

Katsumoto: What do you want for yourself?

Katsumoto: What happened to the warriors at Thermopylae?

Algren: Dead to the last man.

[With his dying breath]

Katsumoto: Perfect... They are all... perfect...

Katsumoto: And who was your general?

Algren: Don't you have a rebellion to lead?

Katsumoto: People in your country do not like conversation?

Algren: He was a lieutenant colonel. His name was Custer.

Katsumoto: I know this name. He killed many warriors

Algren: Oh, yes. Many warriors.

Katsumoto: So he was a good general.

Algren: No. No, he wasn't a good general. He was arrogant and foolhardy. And he got massacred because he took a single battalion against two thousand angry Indians.

Katsumoto: Two thousand Indians? How many men for Custer?

Algren: Two hundred and eleven.

Katsumoto: I like this General Custer.

Algren: He was a murderer who fell in love with his own legend. And his troopers died for it.

Katsumoto: I think this is a very good death.

Algren: Well, maybe you can have one just like it someday.

Katsumoto: The Emperor could not hear my words. His army will come. For nine hundred years, my ancestors have protected our people. Now... I have failed them.

Algren: So you will take your own life? In shame? Shame for a life of service? Discipline? Compassion?

Katsumoto: The way of the Samurai is not necessary anymore.

Algren: Necessary? What could be more necessary?

Katsumoto: I will die by the sword. My own, or my enemy's.

Algren: Then let it be your enemy's.

Algren: There is Life in every breath...

Katsumoto: That is, Bushido.

Algren: I killed her husband?

Katsumoto: It was a good death.

Algren: What else has she told you?

Katsumoto: That you have nightmares.

Algren: Every soldier has nightmares.

Katsumoto: Only one who is ashamed of what he has done.

Algren: You have no idea what I have done.

Katsumoto: You do not have to die here.

Algren: I should have died so many time before.

Katsumoto: I have introduced myself. You have introduced yourself. This is a very good conversation.

Algren: What do you want?

Katsumoto: To know my enemy.

Algren: I've seen what you do to your enemies.

Katsumoto: The warriors in your country do not kill?

Algren: They don't cut the heads off defeated, kneeling men.

Katsumoto: General Hasegawa asked me to help him end his life. A samurai cannot stand the shame of defeat. I was honored to cut off his head.

Katsumoto: When I took this, you were my enemy.

Algren: How's your poem coming?

Katsumoto: The end is proving difficult.

Katsumoto: You fought against your Red Indians?

Algren: Yes.

Katsumoto: Tell me of your part in this war.

Algren: Why?

Katsumoto: I wish to learn.

Algren: Read a book.

Katsumoto: I would rather have a good conversation.

[Algren and Katsumoto ride up to Bagley, who sees that Algren has turned against him]

Colonel Bagley: Good God... Sir, the Imperial Army of Japan demands your surrender. If you and your fellas lay down your arms, you will not be harmed.

Katsumoto: This is not possible, as Mr. Omura knows.

Colonel Bagley: Captain Algren. We will show you no quarter. You ride against us, and you're the same as they are.

Algren: I'll look for you on the field.

Katsumoto: Many of our customs seem strange to you. And the same is true of yours. For example, not to introduce yourself is considered extremely rude, even among enemies.

Algren: There was once a battle at a place called Thermopylae, where three hundred brave Greeks held off a Persian army of a million men... a million, you understand this number?

Katsumoto: I understand this number.

Katsumoto: If I am no use, I will happily end my life.

Emperor Meiji: No, I need your voice in the Council.

Katsumoto: It is your voice we need, Highness. You are a living god. Do what you think is right.

Emperor Meiji: [ruefully] I am a living god, as long as I do what *they* think is right.

Katsumoto: What sad words you speak.

Algren: I have questions.

Katsumoto: Questions come later.

Katsumoto: Well, they won't surrender.

Katsumoto: This is my son's village. We are deep in the mountains, and the winter is coming. You cannot escape.

Nobutada: Jolly Good.

Algren: [shouting] What the hell am I doing here?

['Bob' rushes up, about to draw his sword and kill Algren, but Katsumoto gestures for him to stop]

Katsumoto: In spring the snows will melt and the passes will open. Until that time, you are here.

Katsumoto: [Algren has just walked into Katsumoto's house, after being beaten thoroughly by Uijo] Uijo is teaching you the way of the Japanese sword.

Algren: [Flatly] Yes indeed.

Algren: Who sent those men to kill you? Was it the Emperor? Omura?

Katsumoto: If The Emperor wishes my death, he has but to ask.

Algren: So it was Omura.