The Makioka Sisters

Sasame-yuki

Japan

1983

140 Min

Color

1.85:1

Japanese

Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
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EXEC Kon Ichikawa, Tomoyuki Tanaka

SCR Junichirô Tanizaki, Kon Ichikawa, Shinya Hidaka

CAST Keiko Kishi, Yoshiko Sakuma, Sayuri Yoshinaga, Yûko Kotegawa, Jûzô Itami, Kôji Ishizaka, Toshiyuki Hosokawa, Ittoku Kishibe

MUSIC Shinnosuke Okawa, Toshiyuki Watanabe

This lyrical adaptation of the beloved Japanese novel by Junichiro Tanizaki was a late-career triumph for world-class director Kon Ichikawa. Revolving around the changing of the seasons, The Makioka Sisters (Sasame-yuki) follows the lives of four sisters who have taken on their family’s kimono manufacturing business, over the course of a number of years leading up to the Pacific War. The two oldest have been married for some time, but according to tradition, the rebellious youngest sister cannot wed until the third, conservative and terribly shy, finds a husband. This graceful study of a family at a turning point in history is a poignant evocation of changing times and fading customs, shot in rich, vivid colors. –The Criterion Collection

Director

Kon Ichikawa

Born on November 20, 1915, in Ujiyamada, Mie Prefecture, Ichikawa first gained western recognition during the 1950s and 60s with several bleak films, particularly two acclaimed antiwar films, The Burmese Harp and Fires on the Plain.

Ichikawa began his career as a cartoonist, and collaborated with his wife, screenwriter Natto WADA, until 1965. His films are generally regarded as dark and bleak, interspersed with sparks of humanity, and he often intertwines comedy and tragedy within the same story. He also has a flair for technical expertise, irony, detachment, and a drive for realism across all genres. After Akira KUROSAWA’s departure, no other Japanese director has come close to Ichikawa’s level of recognition, the power of his films, and commercial success.

Ichikawa passed away on February 13, 2008. At age 91 (2006), he was still active as a director, completing a feature-length film, The Inugamis, and directing one segment of the Japanese fantasy, Ten Nights of Dream… read more

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Invagination

16Jan13

The most beautiful kimono display ever to be filmed.

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ramosbarajas

9Jan13

I found it to be too lengthy at times. I think it had something to do with the long dialogues with almost no respite. But overall, I enjoyed it. The cinematography and the editing are playful and well executed. Even the 80s music is not enough to make it seem dated. The story is nice, with good performances. The milieu is established from the begining and the mood is maintained throughout.