Japanese Rope Art

Rope in Japanese Cinema

Hidden Fortress (1958)

In Akira Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress"
there  are a couple of scenes that involve rope.

Note the literal title is "The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress"

Toshiro- Mifune plays General Rokurota Makabe and Princess Yuki is played by Misa Uehara.
A literal translation of the Japanese title is The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress.

Trailer (In Japanese)

They are captured at one point with a 3rd party and are held in a sitting position in a box arm type tie.
They are then seen being transported on horseback prior to their escape.

Got to love the Hakama styled shorts she is wearing.

Original Movie Posters

Influence

George Lucas shares in the DVD Commentary that he was influenced by The Hidden Fortress
with his 4th Episode of Star Wars, "A New Hope", in the way of the story being told from the film's lowliest characters.
ie C-3PO and R2-D2

Also Kurosawas's use of frame wipes, often hidden by motion in the picture.

Source DVD Commentary

George Luca - Akira Kurosawa - Steven Speiberg
1989 Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement

Lots more of these tidbits coming....