KOKUHO with Director & Actor Introduction

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GKIDS and Japan Society are proud to present a special screening of KOKUHO, Japan’s official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards, with a live in-person introduction by director Sang-il Lee and actor Ryo Yoshizawa.

Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, Kikuo decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theater. Across decades, the two young men grow and evolve together—from acting school to the grandest stages–amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals, as each pushes to become the greatest living kabuki master. From acclaimed director Sang-il Lee (Pachinko, Hula Girls, Rage), KOKUHO (meaning “national treasure”) is a film of awe-inspiring scope and sumptuous beauty, and a monument to the artists who would sacrifice everything in the pursuit of the ultimate performance.

Released in Japanese theaters in June, KOKUHO has become a box office phenomenon, grossing over $100 million (over 8 million tickets sold), making the film the second-highest grossing Japanese live-action film of all time. The film marks a breakthrough performance for lead actor Ryo Yoshizawa (Kingdom), who trained 18 months in the art and history of kabuki to embody the role of Kikuo, an actor pursuing greatness at all costs, in a story of glory and heartbreak that spans decades. The film further stars Ryusei Yokohama (Your Eyes Tell) and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai).

Dir. Sang-il Lee, 2025, 175 min., DCP, color, in English and Japanese with English subtitles. With Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Ken Watanabe.

Image Credit
©SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 “KOKUHO” Film Partners

Film programs are generously supported by Anime NYC, ORIX Corporation USA, 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 Jono Abrams and Elizabeth Linn, Ayumi Arafune, Darin Arita and Kanako Arita, Mike Audet, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Catanzaro, The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, Akiko Koide and Shohei Koide, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, Japan Society Film Council, and other Film supporters.

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.

Japan Society arts and culture 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, and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

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).