Was Nathan algren a real person?

Answer 1

No. It was loosly based on the french Cpt. Julies Brunet(born January 2 1838, Died August 12 1911.),who fought alongside Enomoto Takeaki in the Boshin War. The U.S. militray was not involved in the war. The French, U.K., and Netherlands were invensted in Japan at this time.

Its also loosely based on Eugene Collache a officer of the French Navy in the 19th century. He fought in Samurai attire. A lot of the actions mirrors his time in Japan.

The Boshin War (War of the Year of the Dragon),was a civil war in Japan, fought from 1868 to 1869 between the ruling Tokugawa shogun and those seeking to return political power to the imperial court of Japan.

The movie takes place during the Satsuma Rebellion several years after the Boshin War, were there were no foren fighters except a few French solders. The Americans stayed out of the fighting but were present in Japan at the time.

Another insperation for the film was probley Henrey Anderes Burgevine (born 1836- died 1865), an American sailor of French desent, mercenary, who became famous for his military victories for Imerial China fighting in the Taping Rebellion from from 1850 to 1864, and not the feudal wars of Japan.

It also could have been inspired by William Adams (born September 24, 1564 - died May 16, 1620), also known in Japanese as Anjin-Sama. Hes belived to be the first Englishman to reach mainland Japan. He was also the isperation for the book that became a film also Shogun. He was also the first Cacasian Samurai.

Answer 2

The story of Nathan Algren was based on the story of Captain Jules Brunet. He was born in 1838 and dies in 1911.