Kikujiro
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is a 1999 Japanese
road A road is a thoroughfare used primarily for movement of traffic. Roads differ from streets, whose primary use is local access. They also differ from stroads, which combine the features of streets and roads. Most modern roads are paved. Th ...
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
written, directed and co-edited by
Takeshi Kitano , also known as in Japan, is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host. During hi ...
, who also stars in the film with Yusuke Sekiguchi. Its score was composed by
Joe Hisaishi , known professionally as , is a Japanese composer, musical director, conductor and pianist, known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. Hisaishi's music has been known to explore and incorporate different genres, inclu ...
. The film was entered into the
1999 Cannes Film Festival The 52nd Cannes Film Festival took place from 12 to 23 May 1999. Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg served as jury president for the main competition. Kristin Scott Thomas was the host for the opening and closing ceremonies. Belgian filmmakers ...
. ''Kikujiro'' tells the story of a young boy searching for his mother during his summer vacation. The film is mostly divided into smaller chapters, listed as entries in the boy's summer vacation diary. Kitano's inspiration for the character (not the film) was his own father, Kikujiro Kitano, a
gambler Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of value ("the stakes") on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling thus requires three ele ...
who struggled to feed his family and pay the rent. Similar to his earlier works '' Getting Any?'' and '' A Scene at the Sea'', Kitano references the
yakuza , also known as , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police and media (by request of the police) call them , while the yakuza call themselves . The English equivalent for the term ''yak ...
only tangentially in ''Kikujiro'', a departure from his work in crime dramas such as '' Sonatine'' and '' Hana-bi''. Aimed at the whole family, the film was allegedly inspired by ''
The Wizard of Oz ''The Wizard of Oz'' is a 1939 American Musical film, musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Based on the 1900 novel ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' by L. Frank Baum, it was primarily directed by Victor Fleming, who left pro ...
'' with the basic premise being a road trip. Kitano's familiar elements and locales are present: drawings, vignettes, the seaside, and
angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
s. Although the plot is composed largely of sad events, the film often has a light-hearted atmosphere, achieved mostly through Kitano's character and his somewhat bizarre encounters.


Plot

Masao, a young boy, who lives alone with his grandmother in an old
Shitamachi and are traditional names for two areas of Tokyo, Japan. Yamanote refers to the affluent, upper-class areas of Tokyo west of the Imperial Palace.Iwanami Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version While citizens once considered it as ...
area of
Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, receives a package, and in looking for a seal finds a photo of his long lost mother. He finds her address in
Toyohashi is a Cities of Japan, city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 377,453 in 160,516 households and a population density of 1,400 persons per km2. The total area of the city was . By area, Toyohashi was Aichi Prefec ...
, several hundred miles to the west. Leaving home to see his mother, he meets his grandmother's neighbors, Kikujiro and his wife. Kikujiro's wife forces the sleazy, lazy and brash Kikujiro to accompany Masao on a journey to see his mother, telling Masao's grandmother that they are going to the beach. At the start of their journey, Kikujiro is not serious about reaching Toyohashi. Instead he gets absorbed in
track cycling Track cycling is a Cycle sport, bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using purpose-designed track bicycles. History Track cycling has been around since at least 1870. When track cycling was in its i ...
races and gambles away all their money. Later, left outside a
yakitori is a Japanese type of skewered chicken. Its preparation involves attaching the meat to a skewer, typically made of steel, bamboo, or similar materials, after which it is grilled over a charcoal fire. During or after cooking, the meat is ty ...
restaurant, Masao encounters a child molester. After a narrow escape, Kikujiro promises to keep to the journey and take Masao to his mother. When the
taxi A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a Driving, driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of thei ...
Kikujiro steals breaks down, they are forced to
hitchhike Hitchhiking (also known as thumbing, autostop or hitching) is a means of transportation that is gained by asking individuals, usually strangers, for a ride in their car or other vehicle. The ride is usually, but not always, free. Signaling ...
to Toyohashi, meeting various people along the way. They get lifts from a
juggler Juggling is a physical skill, performed by a juggler, involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment, art or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling. Juggling can be the manipulation of one object o ...
and her boyfriend on a date, and a travelling poet who delivers them to
Toyohashi is a Cities of Japan, city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 377,453 in 160,516 households and a population density of 1,400 persons per km2. The total area of the city was . By area, Toyohashi was Aichi Prefec ...
. When they finally reach the address of Masao's mother, Kikujiro finds her living as a
housewife A housewife (also known as a homemaker or a stay-at-home mother/mom/mum) is a woman whose role is running or managing her family's home—housekeeping, which may include Parenting, caring for her children; cleaning and maintaining the home; Sew ...
with another man and their daughter, leaving Masao to tears. Kikujiro trys to console him by explaining that his mother had probably moved away. He tries to comfort Masao with a small blue bell shaped like an
angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
bullied from two bikers whom he happens to come across. Masao is so disappointed that Kikujiro cannot help but try to brighten up their return trip to Tokyo. He tells him an angel will come at the sound of the bell. They visit a summer
matsuri Japanese festivals, or , are traditional festive occasions often celebrated with dance and music in Japan. The origin of the word ''matsuri'' is related to the ; there are theories that the word ''matsuri'' is derived from meaning "to wait (for ...
held in a local
Shinto shrine A Stuart D. B. Picken, 1994. p. xxiii is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine") one or more kami, , the deities of the Shinto religion. The Also called the . is where a shrine's patron is or are enshrined.Iwanami Japanese dic ...
. While Kikujiro gets into trouble with some yakuza over a fixed shooting game, Masao dreams of dancing ''
tengu ''Tengu'' ( ; , , ) are a type of legendary creature found in Shinto belief. They are considered a type of ''yōkai'' (supernatural beings) or Shinto ''kami'' (gods or spirits). The ''Tengu'' were originally thought to take the forms of bird of ...
''. Back on the road, they meet the poet and the two bikers again. They decide to camp a few days together. Masao enjoys playing some traditional games with them. Kikujiro is reminded of his own mother (it is implied that she, like Masao's mother, also left him as a child). Kikujiro gets one of the bikers to take him from their camp to his mother's
nursing home A nursing home is a facility for the residential care of older people, senior citizens, or disabled people. Nursing homes may also be referred to as care homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), or long-term care facilities. Often, these terms ...
in Daito-cho, a small country town, but he eventually decides not to see her and returns to the camp. The men continue to do their best to entertain Masao by larking about for a few more days. Before they are to return to
Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Masao dreams about them appearing over the
Milky Way The Milky Way or Milky Way Galaxy is the galaxy that includes the Solar System, with the name describing the #Appearance, galaxy's appearance from Earth: a hazy band of light seen in the night sky formed from stars in other arms of the galax ...
. In the morning, the bikers say goodbye to them and leave the camp. Masao and Kikujiro get a lift in the poet's van to Tokyo. After dropping them off at a bridge, the poet continues on his way to
Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
and
Kyūshū is the third-largest island of Japan's four main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands (i.e. excluding Okinawa and the other Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Islands). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regio ...
. Before Masao and Kikujiro part, Kikujiro says, "Let's do it again sometime," and Masao thanks him. Kikujiro tells Masao to take care of his grandmother. As Kikujiro turns to leave, Masao realizes that he doesn't know Kikujiro's name (he has been referring to him as "uncle" throughout the film) and asks him. Kikujiro answers, "Kikujiro! Now scram!", before the two part ways. Masao passes a small bridge with the angel bell ringing, mirroring the first shot of Masao at the start of the film.


Themes

The film explores alienation and inclusion in Japanese society. The main characters, and those who help them along the way, are all considered outcasts from accepted social norms, not being part of a traditional family or group structure. Characters who maintain a more accepted lifestyle are frequently at odds with the protagonists. Early in the film, the protagonists react to their alienation with anger (Kikujiro) and sadness (Masao). Along their journey, they start to discover how alike they are and the events in Toyohashi act as a turning point from which the characters begin to find comfort in their shared isolation.


Cast

* Beat Takeshi as Kikujiro Takeda *
Kayoko Kishimoto is an actress. She appeared in several of Takeshi Kitano's films, such as '' Hana-bi'', '' Kikujiro'' and ''Dolls''. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 23rd Japan Academy Prize for ''Kikujiro''. Biography In 1976 at a Hidek ...
as Kikujiro's Wife * Yusuke Sekiguchi as Masao Sugiyama * Yūko Daike as Satoko Sugiyama *
Kazuko Yoshiyuki (born 9 August 1935) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and essayist. Biography Early life Kazuko was born in Tokyo as a first daughter of Eisuke Yoshiyuki, a writer, and Aguri. She has an older brother, Junnosuke Yoshiyuki, a novelist, an ...
as Masao's Grandmother * Beat Kiyoshi as Man at the bus stop * Great Gidayu as Biker * Rakkyo Ide as Biker's Friend * Nezumi Imamura as Travelling Man * Fumie Hosokawa as Juggler *
Akaji Maro is a Japanese butoh performer, theater director and film actor. Early life In 1943, Maro was born in Sakurai, Nara, Japan. Career In 1972, Maro founded the , a large-scale butoh company which has gained an enduring international reputation. ...
as Scary Man * Daigaku Sekine as
Yakuza , also known as , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police and media (by request of the police) call them , while the yakuza call themselves . The English equivalent for the term ''yak ...
Boss


Soundtrack

The album includes "Summer", one of the most famous compositions by Hisaishi; it was also re-arranged and used for
Toyota Corolla The is a series of compact cars (formerly Subcompact car, subcompact) manufactured and marketed globally by the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. Introduced in 1966, the Corolla was the best-selling car worldwide by 1974 and has bee ...
commercials, for instance. These recordings can be found in his album ''Curved Music II''. #"Summer" − 6:26 #"Going Out" − 1:17 #"Mad Summer" − 2:55 #"Night Mare" − 1:49 #"Kindness" − 1:57 #"The Rain" − 5:38 #"Real Eyes" − 3:16 #"Angel Bell" − 3:12 #"Two Hearts" − 2:01 #"Mother" − 2:13 #"River Side" − 6:13 #"Summer Road" − 3:08


Credits

*Cello (solo) – Yumiko Morooka *Composed by – Joe Hisaishi *Executive producer – Emmanuel Chamboredon, Russell Ziecker *Violin (solo) – Rieko Suzuki


Reception

The film received mixed reviews. ''Kikujiro'' has a 61% approval rating on
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...
based on 51 reviews, with an average rating of 5.91/10
Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...
assigned the film a weighted average score of 44 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".


Documentary

Film director Makoto Shinozaki made a documentary of the making of ''Kikujiro'' entitled ''
Jam Session A jam session is a relatively informal musical event, process, or activity where musicians, typically instrumentalists, play improvised solos and vamp over tunes, drones, songs, and chord progressions. To "jam" is to improvise music without ...
'' (Jamu sesshon Kikujirō no natsu kōshiki kaizokuban). It was produced and distributed by
Office Kitano , also known as in Japan, is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host. During hi ...
and was screened at the
Rotterdam Film Festival International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is an annual film festival held at the end of January in various locations in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, focused on independent and experimental films. The inaugural festival took place in June 1972, ...
and other festivals.


References


External links


''Kikujiros official website
at
Sony Pictures Classics Sony Pictures Classics Inc. is an American arthouse film production and distribution company that is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment. It was founded in 1992 by former Orion Classics heads Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and Marcie Bloo ...
* {{Mainichi Film Award for Excellence Film 1999 comedy-drama films 1999 films Japanese comedy-drama films 1990s Japanese-language films Films directed by Takeshi Kitano Japanese road movies 1990s road comedy-drama films Films shot in Tokyo Films scored by Joe Hisaishi 1990s Japanese films Sony Pictures Classics films