Sharaku
1995 · Japan · 138 min
- Director
- Masahiro Shinoda
- Producer
- Frankie Sakai
- Music
- Tōru Takemitsu
- Cinematography
- Tatsuo Suzuki
Cast
What it is about
Set in Edo at the end of the eighteenth century, the film follows Tonbo, a young man who will take the artistic name Sharaku. His path brings him into contact with the world of ukiyo-e prints, with publishers, kabuki actors and other artists of the period, and through them the film observes the craft and the tensions of that society.
How it was made
Directed by Masahiro Shinoda, with Frankie Sakai serving as producer as well as an actor in the cast. Hiroyuki Sanada leads the film alongside Shima Iwashita, Tsurutarō Kataoka, Riona Hazuki, Masumi Miyazaki and kabuki actor Nakamura Tomijūrō V. The music is by Tōru Takemitsu and the cinematography by Tatsuo Suzuki. The running time is 138 minutes.
Reception and legacy
The film was entered into the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. As a period drama, it fits within Shinoda's body of work, which often turned to figures from Japanese history. The sources consulted say little beyond that Cannes selection, so its critical reception and later influence are not well documented here.
Stills
Trailer
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More films by Masahiro Shinoda
Silence
Double Suicide
Gonza the Spearman
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Childhood DaysOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.