Bridge of Japan (1956)

Plot Summary

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.

Full Cast & Characters

Chikage Awashima

Otaka Inaba

Ayako Wakao

Ochise

Fujiko Yamamoto

Kiyoha Takinoya

Ryūji Shinagawa

Shinso Kuzuki

Hiroshi Kawaguchi

Eijirō Yanagi

Shinpachiro Kasahara

Eiji Funakoshi

Shinpachiro Kasahara

Eiichi Takamura

Kiyoha's Husband

Kan Sugi

Teruko Kishi

Kumeko Urabe

Sadako Sawamura

Director & Crew

Where to Watch Bridge of Japan Online

Frequently Asked Questions