Chikujô seyo! (2009)

Three men are possessed by the spirits of ancient samurai determined to build their master's castle, even if they must use cardboard.

Director:

Yo Kohatsu

Writers:

Yo Kohatsu (original story), Yo Kohatsu (screenplay)

Stars:

Ainosuke Kataoka, Hana Ebise, Tôru Emori

Cast

Credited cast:
Ainosuke Kataoka
Hana Ebise
Tôru Emori
Kai Atô
Tomoko Fujita
Takashi Tsumura
Eri Fuse
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Haruo Furuya
Mitsuko Hoshi
Masayuki Kizu
Shûzô Mitamura	...	(as Shuzou Mitamura)
Yûko Nishimaru
Hiroshi Ohmori
Shinya Ono
Hiroko Sonoda

Storyline

The samurai lord, Ondaiji, travels 400 years to fulfill his dream of raising a castle. He finds an understanding professor, dim town officials, a mysterious old lady, and happy-go-lucky tramps who suggest the best material for the castle is cardboard. Cardboard? What will he do with his shachihoko?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

20 June 2009 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Raise the Castle!

Company Credits

Production Co:

Heisei Project,Aichi Institute of Technology,Soy Sauce Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

I haven't seen this movie but here's some important info...

Usually it's a good idea to watch a movie before reviewing it. But after spending all morning researching this obscure film, I figured I'd share the info I've found even though I haven't picked up the DVD yet.

First and most obvious, Akira Kurosawa did NOT direct this film. I'm guessing you know that already. But you'd be surprised at how much misinformation there is when you google the UPC code for this DVD (891514001030).

Second, as IMDb correctly states, the full version is 2 hrs long. But that DVD is currently only available in Japan. The international version you're probably considering watching is the 59 minute short film made in 2005 and shown at various film festivals. That's the only version for sale on Amazon, distributed by Cinema Epoch and released on Apr 10, 2007.

The 2 hr version was released in 2009 by some distributor whose name I don't know because I can't read Japanese. I'll try to post their website here and hope IMDb will allow it...

aitech.ac.jp/~tikujo/

I've heard the full version is wonderful. The chopped version is OK, I'm told, but seems incomplete and rushed. I think I'll wait for the real deal myself. Good luck!