Double Suicide (1969)
"Shinjû: Ten no Amijima" (original title)

In 18th Century in Japan, the paper merchant Jihei (Kichiemon Nakamura) falls in love for the courtesan Koharu (Shima Iwashita), but he can not afford to redeem her from her master and ... See full summary »

Director:

Masahiro Shinoda

Writers:

Monzaemon Chikamatsu (play), Masahiro Shinoda,

Stars:

Kichiemon Nakamura, Shima Iwashita, Hôsei Komatsu

7 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Kichiemon Nakamura	...	Jihei
Shima Iwashita	...	Koharu / Osan
Hôsei Komatsu	...	Tahei
Yûsuke Takita	...	Mogoemon
Kamatari Fujiwara	...	Owner of the Yamatoya
Yoshi Katô	...	Gosaemon
Shizue Kawarazaki	...	Osan's mother
Tokie Hidari	...	Osugi
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Makoto Akatsuka
Jun Hamamura
Sumiko Hidaka

Storyline

In 18th Century in Japan, the paper merchant Jihei (Kichiemon Nakamura) falls in love for the courtesan Koharu (Shima Iwashita), but he can not afford to redeem her from her master and owner of the brothel, since he spent all his money in the place with Koharu. Jihei's wife Osan tries to keep her husband with his two children and asks Koharu to leave him. The two lovers make a pact of double suicide to escape from the rigid rules of the Japanese society of 1720 and stay together after death.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | merchant | prostitute | japanese new wave | surrealism | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 February 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Double Suicide

Company Credits

Production Co:

Art Theatre Guild, Hyogensha

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in 100 Years of Japanese Cinema (1995)

User Reviews

This film would seem to play much better with Japanese audiences than those in other parts of the world.

"Double Suicide" is a film that reminds me strongly of "Yûkoku"--a film that came out three years earlier. Both are about a couple tragically fated to commit suicide together and both go beyond the fourth wall--at times showing that it is all really just a play with actors. And, both were strongly appreciated and embraced by Japanese audiences--something that is particular to this society. I really don't think a movie where the audience knows the couple who are the main characters will have to die by the end would create a lot of ticket sales in the West--especially when this is known by the audience before the film even begins. There is a beauty in suicide that is strictly Japanese--making these sort of films difficult to fully appreciate and understand.

"Double Suicide" begins with the fourth wall--actors readying for the movie, producers and directors discussing the locations, etc.. This is a highly unusual move and was done because this film apparently was originally a play--with a rather familiar theme for Japan. So instead of trying to hide this, the beginning pays homage to it and the film shows its stage roots various times throughout the story.

The story involves a poor man (Jihei) falling for a prostitute (Koharu). His goal is to buy her contract and free her, but he just just can't manage it because his business is not doing very well. So, for most of the film Koharu broods--making her a very unsuccessful prostitute since no one wants to sleep with a woman who constantly talks about killing herself. As for Jihei, he broods as well and interrupts any potential clients from having sex with Koharu--as he's jealous. However, this cannot go one forever and you know that by the end of the picture both of the lovers will have given up on the idea of marriage and they will be dead.

So is this any good? Well, since it won so many Japanese awards, the answer is an emphatic YES...provided you are Japanese. However, for other audiences it is far less satisfying--though you must admit that the film is well-constructed and very stylish. I see that Criterion has produced this DVD, so there must be some audience outside of Japan for it (after all, I am watching it and the few other reviews for the movie are all quite positive)...but it will definitely be a niche audience and I can't see this appealing to the average viewer. Not bad....just not particularly enjoyable due to there being little suspense about the ending (after all, it's "Double Suicide") and the film seems to drag in between. After having watched several hundred other Japanese movies, I just can't see this one as being among the best the country has to offer.