How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from the Japanese to English translated subtitles of Seven Samurai.
Quote #1
GISAKU: You must find hungry samurai...even bears come out of the forest when they are hungry.
Gisaku doesn't have any power over any samurai, since he's a peasant. But he does figure out a way to get the higher caste to do what the lower caste needs. That's thinking on your feet!
Quote #2
RIKICHI: Well...let's go see old Gisaku.
KAMBEI: Gisaku?
MOSUKE: He makes all out decisions for us.
HEIHACHI: The village patriarch?
RIKICHI AND MOSUKE: Yes, sir, yes.
HEIHACHI: So we're to have an audience. What an honor.
Heihachi's commenting on the topsy-turvy status of social class here. Normally, they would be the ones granting an audience. But they've fallen on hard times, and if they came here to help the villagers, it means treating a peasant like a superior. Again, that's a serious no-no in Japanese culture.
Quote #3
KIKUCHIYO: Oh, you're all splendid. Standing there like a line of scarecrows. Only, remember, these bandits aren't crows…and they're not sparrows either. Hey you, stop chewing your cud.
Kikuchiyo could maybe give them all a break, since they're not used to acting like warriors. This is another example of how necessity can sometimes force people to break out of the limits of their class.