my only suggestion is to prepare the students before they watch the film with
what they are supposed to be looking for, because, not only is Japanese movie style much different than American movie style, which make
the movie harder to follow, but also the history of Japan is not common knowledge to a lot of students. This is a great movie, and one of my
plans for over Christmas break is to watch it again, and see if I can understand what Stephen Prince points out in his book. (JJ)
<p>
I think that this film would be a good method of making
the transition of times in Japanese history.  The films is an entertaining way of opening up discussion on the people's reaction to capitalism as
well as the actual effect of capitalism.  Also, it would be a relevant method of looking further into the matter and discussing why some
countries work better under certain systems and what this says about a country's people.  However, in approaching the film from another
vantage point, you could incorporate it into the course by dedicating a portion of the curriculum's focus to East Asian art.  This film would
be a practical and illustrative example of cinematic development in East Asia as well as how art has served as an expression of social and
political views for the people.  And finally, I think that this film could be incorporated on the evolution of ethics in East Asia, which is
stereotypically known as being a fairly spiritual and moral area of the world.  You could use the film to open up discussion on how politics
and governments affect the ethical nature of society. (CC)
<p>
I feel that this film put many questions about this
day in East Asian history at the tip of my tongue for later classes.  Its a shame that this film fell at
such a late date in the term. ... 1.  Collect questions from this term's class about the film and compile them on a page for the next
class. The next group of students, having previewed the questions, can answer the questions
themselves as best the can after their viewing.  This exercise can extract each person's different
view of the film and highlight each student's strengths and weaknesses in interpreting Asian film. 
This can be a good starting point. 
<p>
    2.  If possible, find a copy without sub-texts(or maybe just tape a piece of poster on the screen to
block the current texts.  Give the exact same assignment without resources(our handout) to complete
after watching the film.  Each student can give their own interpretation(assuming that no student
understands fluent Japanese) and the entire class can discuss and site differences in the meanings. 
In conclusion, a short summary can be given followed by tons of "Oh yeah, that what I thought"s. 
(This can be done with any film with subtexts, but with Yoshimbo I think that it will be especially
neat.) (MMcA)