The Geisha House (1999)
"Omocha" (original title)

Director:

Kinji Fukasaku

Writer:

Kaneto Shindô

Stars:

Maki Miyamoto, Sumiko Fuji, Kaho Minami

9 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Maki Miyamoto	...	Tokiko aka Omocha
Sumiko Fuji	...	Satoe (as Junko Fuji)
Kaho Minami	...	Terucho
Mai Kitajima	...	Somemaru
Masahiko Tsugawa	...	Yoshikawa
Yumiko Nogawa	...	Michiko
Mariko Okada	...	Hanaman's owner
Takeshi Katô	...	Kitayama
Noboru Mitani	...	Mikami
Naomasa Musaka	...	Kayama
Takashi Sasano	...	Kosaka
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Seizô Fukumoto	...	Police detective
Chinatsu Izumi

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

japan | geisha | 1950s | japanese | japanese culture

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

15 January 1999 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Geisha House

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A fascinating examination of Geisha culture

Omocha is a fascinating look at the world of the Geisha in Japan at a critical time in their history, the introduction of anti-prostitution laws in 1958. Cleverly directed, the film provides an intimate portrayal of the vibrancy of the Geisha culture, in terms of both its visual appeal and the sheer complexity of the social system that 'regulates' the Geisha's lives.

While it occasionally resorts to some lacklustre stereotyping, it's always well acted and intensely engaging. The film's basic story and premise is similar to the novel 'Memoirs of Geisha', but it is very much its own film, and raises a lot of questions about attitudes to women, sex, and women who sell sex, that still resonate strongly today.