Theater of Life: Hishakaku

1963, 95 min., 35 mm, color, in Japanese with live English subtitles. Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. With Koji Tsuruta, Ken Takakura, Yoshiko Sakuma and Ryunosuke Tsukigata.

Tadashi Sawashima’s Theater of Life launched the 1960s ninkyo eiga boom and is in many ways, the whole genre’s blueprint. Hishakaku (Koji Tsuruta), as honorable a gangster as is humanly possible, is in love with Otoyo, a courtesan. But his obligations to the yakuza code keep them apart, not the least because of his stint in prison. During this time, Otoyo struggles against sinister gangsters who see her not as the sweetheart of a chivalrous gambler doing time for his gang, but as a simple commodity. The film made both Toei studio actors Koji Tsuruta and Ken Takakura superstars of the yakuza genre, though it’s the fragile beauty of the actress Yoshiko Sakuma that impresses the most.

Part of the Globus Film Series:
Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence

TICKETS
$12/$9 Japan Society members, students & seniors

Buy Tickets Online or call the Japan Society Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm, Weekends 11 am – 5 pm.

Purchase more than 5 tickets for at least 5 different films and receive $2 off of each ticket! Special offer available only at Japan Society Box Office or by telephone at (212) 715-1258. Offer not available online.