Ginza Cosmetics

『銀座化粧』 
Ginza Kesho

Imported 16mm Print. Often pinpointed as the beginning of Naruse’s career revival, Ginza Cosmetics employs an almost neo-realist attitude in its chronicling of a few days in the life of aging hostess Yukiko (Kinuyo Tanaka), a single mother who works the Ginza bar circuit at a failing club. With a lightly-traced plot, Yukiko goes about her daily routines of entertaining ill-tempered suitors while struggling to keep up with the lifestyle, all as a means to support her son. Written by former film critic Matsuo Kishi—a champion of Sadao Yamanaka and Hiroshi Shimizu in the ‘30s (and co-writer of Mr. Shosuke Ohara)—with input from Naruse himself, the script was based on their own experiences in the bustling district’s bar life. Noted by Naruse as being loosely inspired by a Fumiko Hayashi story, Ginza Cosmetics anticipates his masterwork When a Woman Ascends the Stairs as it forages the nightworlds of postwar Japan.

Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation.

Dir. Mikio Naruse, 1951, 87 min., 16mm, b&w, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Kinuyo Tanaka, Ranko Hanai, Kyoko Kagawa. 

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

© 1951 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.