Patriotism (1966)
"Yûkoku" (original title)

Two characters on a Noh stage dramatize the rite of love and death of Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama and his wife Reiko. Takeyama was one of a cadre of young officers who staged a coup d'état ... See full summary »

Directors:

Masaki Dômoto, Yukio Mishima

Writer:

Yukio Mishima

Stars:

Yukio Mishima, Yoshiko Tsuruoka

Cast

Cast overview:
Yukio Mishima	...	Shinji Takeyama
Yoshiko Tsuruoka	...	Reiko

Storyline

Two characters on a Noh stage dramatize the rite of love and death of Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama and his wife Reiko. Takeyama was one of a cadre of young officers who staged a coup d'état in February, 1936. He was not arrested when the coup failed, but as an officer of the palace guard, he knew he would be given the order to execute his friends. The night before the execution, he and his wife prepare for hara-kiri, first with passion without shyness, then in uniform and kimono with sword and dagger. Calligraphy figures in the preparation, as Reiko gathers her keepsakes to give to survivors. They embrace in death.

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Plot Keywords:

officer | death | sword | noh | hara kiri | 

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Genres:

Drama | Short

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

12 April 1966 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Patriotism

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

After Mishima's death on 25 November 1970, all prints of this film were rumored to have been destroyed by his wife Yoko. However, in August 2005, original film negatives were "discovered" at the late author's residence in Ota Ward, Tokyo. About 40 reels have now been found in what Japanese media refer to as an "airtight tea box". According to Hiroaki Fujii (78), the movie's producer (who at the time apparently urged Yoko to keep the original intact), the recovered elements are in "pristine condition". The film will be released on DVD by Shinchosha early in 2006.

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Connections

Referenced in Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Tristan und Isolde"
: Liebestod
by Richard Wagner

User Reviews

A visceral and stunning short film

This film prophetically (Yukio Mishima committed suicide in 1970) and dramatically portrays the ritual suicide of a dishonored Japanese patriot. It's an extraordinary short watch but may be a bit intense for those who dislike graphic gore. I doubt I will ever forget the experience of having seen this.