Bridge of Japan poster

Bridge of Japan (1956)

Movie ★ 7.8 111 min

Romance Drama

Ichikawa's 1956 adaptation of Nihonbashi was the first to take the work of Kyoka Izumi— until then regarded as a writer of common tragic melodramas—and re-evaluate it as a tanbi-ha work of decadence, aestheticism, and intrigue. Ichikawa's film presents the tragic plot of the young geisha who is unable to enact her love for a man publicly in any way other than a histrionic story of torment, a heart-rending tale of lovers being crushed by fate. Instead, Ichikawa shows the contest of wills that transpires as two geisha, Oko and Kiyoha fight for the top spot in Nihonbashi, the pinnacle of the Tokyo geisha world. Nihonbashi is an elegant, if steely, exposition of manners. The young doctor, Shinzo Katsuragi, is the object of affection for both women, but appears to be more the choice reward for the plotting and thieving of these two early modern superwomen, than a lover they swoon over.

Kon Ichikawa Director

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Quick facts

Released
October 1, 1956
Runtime
111 min
IMDb
tt0049554
Country
Language

Cast

Chikage Awashima Otaka Inaba Ayako Wakao Ayako Wakao Ochise Fujiko Yamamoto Fujiko Yamamoto Kiyoha Takinoya Ryūji Shinagawa Shinso Kuzuki Hiroshi Kawaguchi Hiroshi Kawaguchi Eijirō Yanagi Eijirō Yanagi Shinpachiro Kasahara Eiji Funakoshi Eiji Funakoshi Shinpachiro Kasahara Eiichi Takamura Eiichi Takamura Kiyoha's Husband Kan Sugi Teruko Kishi Teruko Kishi Kumeko Urabe Kumeko Urabe Sadako Sawamura Sadako Sawamura Natsuko Kahara Natsuko Kahara Kiyoko Hirai Kiyoko Hirai Mantarō Ushio Mantarō Ushio Kōichi Itō Koh Sugita Koh Sugita Tsutomu Nakata

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Frequently asked questions

What is Bridge of Japan about?
Ichikawa's 1956 adaptation of Nihonbashi was the first to take the work of Kyoka Izumi— until then regarded as a writer of common tragic melodramas—and re-evaluate it as a tanbi-ha work of decadence, aestheticism, and intrigue. Ichikawa's film presents the tragic plot of the young geisha who is unable to enact her love for a man publicly in any way other than a histrionic story of torment, a heart-rending tale of lovers being crushed by fate. Instead, Ichikawa shows the contest of wills that transpires as two geisha, Oko and Kiyoha fight for the top spot in Nihonbashi, the pinnacle of the Tokyo geisha world. Nihonbashi is an elegant, if steely, exposition of manners. The young doctor, Shinzo Katsuragi, is the object of affection for both women, but appears to be more the choice reward for the plotting and thieving of these two early modern superwomen, than a lover they swoon over.
Who directed Bridge of Japan?
Bridge of Japan was directed by Kon Ichikawa.
Who stars in Bridge of Japan?
Bridge of Japan stars Chikage Awashima, Ayako Wakao, Fujiko Yamamoto, Ryūji Shinagawa.
When was Bridge of Japan released?
Bridge of Japan is a 1956 romance, drama film.
Where can I watch Bridge of Japan?
You can watch Bridge of Japan with full details, cast, and streaming options on 3eyedraven.