Yōko Umemura
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
(1939)
In late 19th century Tokyo, Kikunosuke Onoue, the adopted son of a legendary actor, himself an actor specializing in female roles, discovers that he is only praised for his acting due to his status as his father's heir. Devastated by this, he turns to Otoku, a ... (more)
In late 19th century Tokyo, Kikunosuke Onoue, the adopted son of a legendary actor, himself an actor specializing in female roles, discovers that he is only praised for his acting due to his status as his father's heir. Devastated by this, he turns to Otoku, a ... (more)
Poppy (1935)
Based on Soseki Natsume’s 1908 novel of the same title, Poppy is an ornately complicated story of desire and ambition. Fujio is beautiful, talented, well-heeled, and engaged to Munechika, a rising young diplomat. She has promised him a gold watch, a family heirloom ... (more)
Based on Soseki Natsume’s 1908 novel of the same title, Poppy is an ornately complicated story of desire and ambition. Fujio is beautiful, talented, well-heeled, and engaged to Munechika, a rising young diplomat. She has promised him a gold watch, a family heirloom ... (more)
A Paper Doll's Whisper of Spring (1926)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. (more)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. (more)
The Woman Who Touched The Legs (1926)
A twice-remade ironic comedy about a writer's encounter with a female thief. (more)
A twice-remade ironic comedy about a writer's encounter with a female thief. (more)
Mistress of a Foreigner (1930)
Tōjin Okichi is a 1930 film by Kenji Mizoguchi based on the novel by Gisaburo Juichiya. Only 4 minutes have survived. The fragment has been published on DVD coupled with The Downfall of Osen (1935) by Digital MEME in 2007. (more)
Tōjin Okichi is a 1930 film by Kenji Mizoguchi based on the novel by Gisaburo Juichiya. Only 4 minutes have survived. The fragment has been published on DVD coupled with The Downfall of Osen (1935) by Digital MEME in 2007. (more)
Sisters of the Gion
(1936)
Umekichi, a geisha in the Gion district of Kyoto, feels obliged to help her lover Furusawa when he asks to stay with her after becoming bankrupt and leaving his wife. However her younger sister Omocha tells her she is wasting her time and money on a loser. She ... (more)
Umekichi, a geisha in the Gion district of Kyoto, feels obliged to help her lover Furusawa when he asks to stay with her after becoming bankrupt and leaving his wife. However her younger sister Omocha tells her she is wasting her time and money on a loser. She ... (more)
Osaka Elegy
(1936)
Ayako becomes the mistress of her boss so she can pay her father's debt and prevent him from going to prison for embezzlement. (more)
Ayako becomes the mistress of her boss so she can pay her father's debt and prevent him from going to prison for embezzlement. (more)
The 47 Ronin
(1941)
In 1701, Lord Takuminokami Asano has a feud with Lord Kira and he tries to kill Kira in the corridors of the Shogun's palace. The Shogun sentences Lord Asano to commit suppuku and deprives the palace and lands from his clan, but does not punish Lord Kira. Lord ... (more)
In 1701, Lord Takuminokami Asano has a feud with Lord Kira and he tries to kill Kira in the corridors of the Shogun's palace. The Shogun sentences Lord Asano to commit suppuku and deprives the palace and lands from his clan, but does not punish Lord Kira. Lord ... (more)
Miss Okichi (1935)
Kenji Mizoguchi is credited as “supervisor” on this rare Japanese genre film, which stars the stunning Isuzu Yamada (Osaka Elegy, Throne of Blood) as a professional criminal, part con woman and part martial artist, who falls in love with a young man from the ... (more)
Kenji Mizoguchi is credited as “supervisor” on this rare Japanese genre film, which stars the stunning Isuzu Yamada (Osaka Elegy, Throne of Blood) as a professional criminal, part con woman and part martial artist, who falls in love with a young man from the ... (more)
Oyuki the Virgin (1935)
When a civil war threatens to break out, two geishas flee from their village with aristocrats. During the long journey, the socially inferior women prove to be morally superior to their betters. (more)
When a civil war threatens to break out, two geishas flee from their village with aristocrats. During the long journey, the socially inferior women prove to be morally superior to their betters. (more)
Capricious Young Man (1936)
A samurai is ordered by his lord to go to Edo and investigate the truth behind the rumor of a rebellion against him. (more)
A samurai is ordered by his lord to go to Edo and investigate the truth behind the rumor of a rebellion against him. (more)
The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen (1938)
A quintessential example of the period "ghost cat" (bakeneko or kaibyo) movie, this was one of at least six such titles released by the studio Shinko Kinema between 1937-40 featuring Japan's first scream queen, Sumiko Suzuki. Here she plays Mitsue, the possessive ... (more)
A quintessential example of the period "ghost cat" (bakeneko or kaibyo) movie, this was one of at least six such titles released by the studio Shinko Kinema between 1937-40 featuring Japan's first scream queen, Sumiko Suzuki. Here she plays Mitsue, the possessive ... (more)
New Clothing (1936)
Japan's first feature film directed by a female. The film was about the naïve, premature emotions between a young geisha-to-be and a youth destined for Buddhist priesthood; it concluded with their separation. (more)
Japan's first feature film directed by a female. The film was about the naïve, premature emotions between a young geisha-to-be and a youth destined for Buddhist priesthood; it concluded with their separation. (more)
A Japanese silent film (more)
Daichi wa hohoemu dainihen (1925)
And Yet They Go On (1931)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. Released in 2 parts. His only release of 1931 (more)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. Released in 2 parts. His only release of 1931 (more)
Directed by Kichiro Tsuji. (more)
Directed by Yutaka Abe. (more)
Shinpan Ôoka seidan; Daisanpen: Kaikatsuhen (1928)
Silent Japanese film. (more)
Silent Japanese film. (more)
A story about Ômura Masujirô (more)