Ballad of Narayama
Brief Synopsis
Honoring an ancient custom in an impoverished Japanese village, a son leads his aging mother up a mountain top to leave her there abandoned.
Cast & Crew
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Keisuke Kinoshita
Director
Kinuyo Tanaka
Orin
Teiji Takahashi
Tatsuhei
Yuko Mochizuki
Tama-yan
Danko Ichikawa
Kesakichi
Keiko Ogasawara
Matsu-yan
Film Details
Also Known As
Narayama-Bushi-Ko
Genre
Drama
Foreign
Release Date
Jan
1961
Premiere Information
New York opening: 19 Jun 1961
Production Company
Shochiku Co.
Distribution Company
Films Around the World, Inc.
Country
Japan
Location
Japan
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Narayamabushi-ko by Shichiro Fukasawa (Tokyo, 1957).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 38m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Fujicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1
Synopsis
A tiny village in ancient Japan is so plagued by famine and starvation that it has become traditional for old people, once they have reached the age of 70, to ascend voluntarily the heights of Mount Narayama and serenely await death. Before making such a journey, an elderly matriarch, Orin, sets her house in order by finding a new wife for her recently widowed son, Tatsuhei. Orin is pleased that the woman, Tama-yan, is an ideal mother for Tatsuhei's three children. As the ceremonial feast preceding her sacrifice nears, Orin becomes embarrassed by her strong white teeth, a constant reminder of the food she eats. Determined to look like a toothless old woman ready for death, she breaks them on a mill stone. On the day of his mother's departure, Tatsuhei carries her on his back to the skeleton-covered peaks of Narayama. As he races from the horrifying scene, snow begins to fall. Tama-yan joins her husband in thanking the gods of Narayama for allowing the old woman to die a quick death by freezing rather than a slow and arduous one by starvation.
Director
Keisuke Kinoshita
Director
Cast
Kinuyo Tanaka
Orin
Teiji Takahashi
Tatsuhei
Yuko Mochizuki
Tama-yan
Danko Ichikawa
Kesakichi
Keiko Ogasawara
Matsu-yan
Seiji Miyaguchi
Mata-yan
Yunosuke Ito
Mata-yan's son
Ken Mitsuda
Teru-yan
Crew
Film Details
Also Known As
Narayama-Bushi-Ko
Genre
Drama
Foreign
Release Date
Jan
1961
Premiere Information
New York opening: 19 Jun 1961
Production Company
Shochiku Co.
Distribution Company
Films Around the World, Inc.
Country
Japan
Location
Japan
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Narayamabushi-ko by Shichiro Fukasawa (Tokyo, 1957).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 38m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Fujicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1
Articles
Ballad of Narayama
Honoring an ancient custom in an impoverished Japanese village, a son leads his aging mother up a mountain top to leave her there abandoned.
Ballad of Narayama
Honoring an ancient custom in an impoverished Japanese village, a son leads his aging mother up a mountain top to leave her there abandoned.
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Released in Japan in 1958 as Narayama-bushi-ko.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1988
Released in United States Summer June 19, 1961
Shown at "Autumn in Japan" film series in New York City October 28-November 23, 1988.
Shochiku Grandscope
Released in United States 1988 (Shown at "Autumn in Japan" film series in New York City October 28-November 23, 1988.)
Released in United States Summer June 19, 1961
