Blog post by Jeannie Ma, Library Special Collections Public Services Assistant for more than 2 years, Class of 2017

This blog post is the second in a series which proudly features Library Special Collections Flash Exhibits created by its 2017 Graduating Seniors.

JEANNIE: I am currently a fourth year UCLA undergraduate majoring in History and minoring in Ancient Near East and Egyptology. Star Wars has always been a big part of my life, especially during childhood. When I was nine years-old, I was introduced to Star Wars: A New Hope, and to this day, I try to watch the movie every year.  After taking a course on the History of Japanese Civilization taught by Professor Hirano, I realized how deeply embedded Japanese culture is in the lore of Star Wars. This inspired me to create a flash exhibit that would reflect the parallels between film directors George Lucas and Akira Kurosawa. Working in Library Special Collections with many fellow Star Wars fans helped me bring this exhibit to life.  

George Lucas, Director and Creator of the Star Wars Franchise: he drew inspiration from multiple science fiction television shows and films. He was especially inspired by Japanese Director, Akira Kurosawa.

Toshiro Mifune was a Japanese Actor who played General Rokurota Makabe in the film The Hidden Fortress (1958). His character was inspiration for the villain Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope. 

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Princess Yuki Akizuki was inspiration for the character Princess Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). The strong-willed and rebellious nature of Princess Yuki Akizuki is made especially apparent within Princess Leia with her relationships with Luke and Han. 

The friendship between Tahei and Matashichi were not only inspirations for Luke and Han but their quirkiness also inspired the friendship between R2-D2 and C-3PO in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). 

From the film Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970): This scene features three Japanese aircrew of a Nakajima B5N (Kate) Torpedo Bomber. Over 140 of these planes were involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The aircrew inspired the X-wing Starfighter pilots in the Rebel Alliance one of which was Luke Skywalker (left) in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). 

Please visit the corresponding documentation in LSC's Flash Exhibit Research Guide.