Name: The Day the Sun Rose
Released: 1969
Cast: Kinnosuke Nakamura, Toshiro Mifune, Shima Iwashita, Yunosuke Ito, Takahiro Tamura

Cast & Crew

Film Details

Also Known As

Gion matsuri

Release Date

Jan 1969

Premiere Information

Los Angeles showing: Feb 1969

Production Company

Nihon Eiga Fukko Kyokai

Distribution Company

Shochiku Films of America

Country

Japan

Screenplay Information

Based on the novel Gionmatsuri by Katsumi Nishiguchi (Tokyo, 1968).

Synopsis

In 16th-century Japan, Kyoto is torn by civil discord. Among the factions are clan rulers, their warrior minions, wealthy merchants, farmers, and outcasts. The conflict is exacerbated by a high tax levied on food. In desperation, the farmers organize into roving bands, harassing the wealthy townspeople who hire a group of samurai for protection. Together, the two groups attack the farmers, who are organized under a group of mounted coolies led by Kuma. In the face of fierce resistance, the samurai retreat, leaving many townspeople to die. Protesting against the failure of the samurai and the despotism of the clan warriors, the townspeople refuse to pay the taxes. Under the leadership of Shinkichi, the people also decide to revive the Gion Festival as a symbol of their desire for peace. The authorities raise the food taxes even further, however, and to prevent mass starvation, Shinkichi negotiates with Kuma for the coolies to bring in food from the farms. At first Kuma refuses to help, but eventually he relents. The coolies' delivery of food symbolizes a new unity among the townspeople, the farmers, and the outcasts, and as a result, the Gion Festival takes place. In the midst of the festivities, Shinkichi is shot by a samurai, and Kuma goes after him, but Shinkichi insists that the festival proceed. The people march toward a band of samurai blocking their way, and the samurai retreat from the three groups who are at last united for peace.