Yotsuya Ghost Story Parts I and II (Shinshaku Yotsuya Kaidan)

1949, 85 &73 min. b/w, 16mm. In Japanese with English subtitles.

Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. Written by Eijiro Hisaita, based on the kabuki play by Namboku Tsuruya. Cinematography by Hiroyuki Kusuda. With Kinuyo Tanaka, Ken Uehara, Haruko Sugimura, Osamu Takizawa, Choko Iida. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Janus Films/Cowboy Pictures.
 
Keisuke Kinoshita’s new interpretation of a classic ghost story takes an analytical look at what drives a ronin (masterless samurai) to murder his loving wife for a chance at marrying a wealthy woman, considering socio-economic elements as well as the weakness of human nature, Shochiku Studio’s top stars Kinuyo Tanaka and Ken Uehara are joined by theater veterans Haruko Sugimura and Osamu Takizawa in this acting tour de force.

Tickets: $10, Japan Society members, seniors & students, $5.