Directed by the highly esteemed Yamada Yoji (山田洋次), Twilight Samurai is one of many samurai films set in nineteenth-century feudal Japan. But unlike other films in this genre of Japanese cinema, which tend to be more action epics with lots of fighting, fountains of blood, and overriding themes of good versus evil or honor versus dishonor, Yamada Yoji paints a picture filled with intimate psychological drama that results in an engaging and truly touching movie.
Although I’m not living in Japan anymore, I do still get media news updates of what’s coming out on television and this upcoming drama piqued my interest – especially as I am a sucker fan of both the tantei (探偵; “detective”) and keiji (刑事; “police detective”) genres. Scheduled to air on Thursdays starting from July 7th (7/7) this year, Octo ～Kanjou Sousakan Shinno Akari～ (オクトー ～感情捜査官 心野朱梨～; “Octo ～ Emotions Police Investigator Shinno Akari～”) has a pretty intriguing premise that could yield some interesting cases as an investigative drama.
Although the trailer has been out for over a month now, given that my doctoral dissertation was all about feminine vengeful spirits in Japanese theatre and cinema, I feel almost obligated to make a post about the latest “Sadako” film in the Ringu (リング) franchise.
Directed by Kimura Hisashi (木村ひさし) and scheduled to be released in fall later this year, Sadako DX promises new innovations to one of the greatest J-horror film franchises in Japanese cinema.
Had the wonderful opportunity to talk and present my doctoral dissertation research as a part of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) lecture series for Fall 2021.
This event was held on Zoom and was co-sponsored by CJS and the Department of Theatre and Dance at UH Mānoa. Q&A was moderated by my doctoral advisor, Professor Julie A. Iezzi.
Original Air Date of Webinar: Friday, September 24, 2021
ABSTRACT: As in many cultures, woman is often portrayed as monstrous or evil by sheer fact of her being female. Today, no Japanese horror film is considered complete without its haunting woman specter, the female onryō, or “vengeful ghost” archetype. Barbara Creed’s writings on the “monstrous feminine” illustrates an innate connection of “affinity” between woman and monster as “potent threats to vulnerable male power.” Although when writing Creed was referring to Western horror cinema, the same theories can be extended to Japanese media.
By analyzing the narrative style, visual representation, and enactment of this archetype found in Japanese theatre forms nō and kabuki compared to Japanese horror films, it becomes apparent that the female onryō reflects views of the feminine identity in Japanese society. Contrary to the portrayal of the male, only once these women have become “monstrous” can they break free from sociocultural limitations and act on their vengeance. Their frightening and grotesque forms, however, invoke more terror and horror than sympathy, transforming the victims into the villains.
Despite the change in norms of Japanese society over time, the way these female onryō are presented remains arguably consistent, positioning them as more “monsters” and “freaks” rather than women. More significant is the tendency to associate these characters with feminine traits or behavior, thereby transforming them into something grotesque, extending the association of horror to woman herself. In so doing, the female onryō may have helped serve as a means of patriarchal control prescribing women’s behavior, perhaps explaining its continued prevalence.
“Understanding the Shinsengumi in 3 Minutes” special video promotion released August 18, 2021
Known in English as Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai, this film’s release was delayed from its initially scheduled date for May 2020 and is set to come to theaters October 15, 2021. In promotion for the film, a special video was aired 3 days ago on August 18th that focuses on understanding the history of the Shinsengumi which I have translated and subtitled.
Coming to theaters in Japan in just a few days (August 13, 2021) and scheduled to premiere overseas over the course of this month, I wish it were easier to be able to see this latest directorial work of Miike Takashi. Given his penchant for the extreme and extravagant, it looks to be a wild display of yokai craziness and fun.
Panda Samurai 