As for the American Captain, no one knows what became of him.  Some say that he died of his wounds.  Others, that he returned to his own country. But I like to think he may have at last found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find.

– Closing words from The Last Samurai

I am hardly a samurai, though I continue to meet quiet, unassuming, contemporary samurai everyday in Japan. When I confess to my Japanese friends that I liked the film, I am met by polite smiles. Be that as it may, these final words do speak to me.

My experience is, yes, I did die of my wounds. And yes, I have returned to my own country, which now is both America and Japan, and yes, at last I have found some small measure of peace.

And for that I am grateful.