Ishmael - *SPOILERS*

Nope. I missed it, too. Like you, I was amazed at all of the tell-tale signs before the amputation, but I never noticed them until the second viewing. I like how they did that.

The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet

I did not notice it at first and when I watched in on HBO. I didn't get to see the amputation surgery so I really had no clue that he only had one arm. I only noticed it when he was following Katsue at the rocky part of the river in the middle of the movie. I thought he was holding something behind his back...

I watched this film just today, and I too missed the amputation although it was clearly there upon second viewing.

Ishmael's loss of his limb represents the loss of Hatsue's love--a loss that is difficult for most to see, a loss he conceals.

Probably Hawke's most touching role.

I think they tried to make it as subtle as possible. It wasn't made obvious that he only had on arm until the scene after the amputation. It shows the uncovered arm and you say to yourself, oh right! The only way I noticed it in the first viewing was that I had read the book and so I already knew. If I had not I would not have noticed. It is funny when you go back and re-watch scenes in movies that hide things from the audience until halfway through or until the end. You know like Usual Suspects or The Sixth Sense. Cheers!

Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules.

I missed too ... but don't feel bad ... that is they way the Director wanted it!