Yûkoku (1966)

Directors:

Domoto Masaki
Yukio Mishima

Writer:

Yukio Mishima (writer)

Release Date:

12 April 1966 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama | Short

Plot:

Two characters on a Noh stage dramatize the rite of love and death of Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama and his wife Reiko...

Plot Keywords:

Death | Officer | Coup D'état | Sword | Passion

Cast

Yukio Mishima	...	Shinji Takeyama
Yoshiko Tsuruoka	...	Reiko

Also Known As:

Patriotism
The Rite of Love and Death

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Toho Company

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Strange Case of Yukio Mishima (1987) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Tristan und Isolde

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.