A Wife’s Heart

『妻の心』 
Tsuma No Kokoro

Imported 35mm Print. A domestic drama revolving around the interpersonal lives of a family household and their failing business, A Wife’s Heart belongs to Naruse’s cycle of marriage films, principally focusing on distant couple Shinji (Keiju Kobayashi) and Kiyoko (Takamine). Packed in the family home with Shinji’s overbearing matchmaker mother, out-of-work brother and sister-in-law, the pair attempt to open a café to offset their struggling storefront operation. In search of capital, Kiyoko asks handsome bank clerk Kenkichi (Toshiro Mifune) for a loan; his calm assurances and effortless charm also manage to ignite another side of her. Naruse’s film examines what the heart desires, revealing the hopelessness of marriage and its duty-bound obligations which hold nothing but empty promises and broken dreams.

Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation.

Dir. Mikio Naruse, 1956, 98 min., 35mm, b&w, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Hideko Takamine, Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Sugi.

Part of the John and Miyoko Davey Classic Film Series
Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us – Part I
May 9—31, 2025

© 1956 Toho Co., Ltd.

Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us is co-organized by Japan Society, Metrograph and the Japan Foundation, New York.

Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us – Part I is generously supported by The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund for Classic Japanese Film.

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Anime NYC and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by Ms. Miyoko U. Davey, The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, and Film Circle members.

Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film Program. Housing assistance is provided by the Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film Program.