Kagamijishi (1936)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Yasujiro Ozu

Writer:

Kenji Shuzui (idea)

Genre:

Documentary | Short

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Ghost | Live Performance | Theater | Spirit

Cast

Kikugoro Onoe	...	Yayoi / Shishi no sei (as Rokudaime Onoe Kikugorou)
Kinjirou Onoe	...	Kochou
Shigeru Onoe	...	Kochou
Wafuu Matsunaga	...	Nagauta - Uta
Shinzou Fujita	...	Nagauta - Uta
Izaburou Kashiwa	...	Nagauta - Shamisen
Tazaemon Morotsuki	...	Nagauta - Taiko
Junji Masuda	...	Roudoku (voice)

Also Known As:

Kikugoro no kagamijishi (Japan) (long title)

Runtime:

24 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Shochiku Kinema Kenkyû-jo

An introduction to Kabuki by Ozu

"Kagamijishi" is a 24-minute film intended to introduce audiences to Kabuki theater and also to showcase the skill of Kikugoro IV who was a legendary Kabuki artist. When I am almost never bothered by black and white films (I can't imagine for instance Kurosawa's "Rashomon" or Allen's "Manhattan" in color), I was frustrated by the black and white photography of this documentary. It is really a pity that we can't fully enjoy the bright colors and the richness of the Kabuki costumes. Nevertheless, Kikugoro (who was then 51) is amazing when transforming himself from delicate maiden to ferocious lion. His dance with a pair of fans is simply mesmerizing.

Of course this is not enough for true Kabuki connoisseurs. As for Ozu's admirers, they will enjoy this short film as the only documentary shot by the master, but I believe it is to be watched when you have seen most of Ozu's great works.