[Close up Japan – October 2025 Issue]

The Much-Talked-About Film Kokuho —— The World of Kabuki Where Art and Blood Intersect
話題の映画『国宝』 —— 芸と血が交差する歌舞伎の世界

The film ‘Kokuho,’ which depicts the life story of a Kabuki actor, is a hot topic.

歌舞伎役者の一代記を描いた映画『国宝』が話題です。

The box office revenue surpassed 10 billion yen, and it became a magnificent achievement—the first for a live-action film in 22 years—in a recent era dominated by anime.

興行収入は100億円を突破し、アニメ作品が優勢な近年、実写映画としては22年ぶりの快挙となりました。

Despite being a long film of 3 hours, this work is captivating audiences with an entertaining quality that makes one forget the time.

本作は3時間という長尺ながら、時間を忘れる面白さで観客を惹きつけています。

The original author, Shuichi Yoshida, went backstage for three years for his writing and thoroughly experienced the world of Kabuki.

原作者・吉田修一氏は、執筆のため3年間舞台裏に通い、歌舞伎の世界を徹底的に経験しました。

Also, what supported the film’s high quality was the training that the busy actors repeated over approximately a year and a half.

また、映画の完成度を支えたのは、多忙な役者たちが約1年半にわたり重ねた鍛錬。

That accumulated effort extends even to their bearing and gaze, and reproduces the stylistic beauty of Kabuki.

その積み重ねは立ち居振る舞いや視線にまで及び、歌舞伎の様式美を再現しています。

What is at the center of the story is the world of Kabuki, where blood relations and art intricately intertwine.

物語の中心にあるのは、血縁と芸が複雑に絡み合う歌舞伎の世界です。

Kabuki is a hereditary traditional art, and being born into a prestigious family is a privilege and is also a heavy destiny.

歌舞伎は世襲制の伝統芸能で、名門に生まれることは特権であり重い宿命でもあります。

On the other hand, for those without the bloodline, a high wall stands in the way, even if they have talent.

一方で、血筋を持たない者には、才能があっても高い壁が立ちはだかります。

‘Kokuho’ brings human anguish and passion to the surface, as people who bear the burden of art and blood intersect with one another.

『国宝』は、芸と血を背負う人々が交差し合いながら、人間の苦悩と情熱を浮かび上がらせます。

The director is Mr. Lee Sang-il, who has lived in Japanese society as a Zainichi Korean.

監督は在日韓国人として日本社会を生きてきた李相日氏。

The figure of the protagonist, who dives into the Kabuki world with talent as his weapon, also overlaps with the experiences of the director himself, who is successful in the Japanese film industry.

才能を武器に歌舞伎界に飛び込む主人公の姿は、日本の映画界で活躍する監督自身の体験とも重なります。

In Kabuki, the ‘onnagata’—men who play female roles—was established in the 17th century, as a result of the Edo shogunate banning women from the stage.

歌舞伎は17世紀、江戸幕府が女性を舞台から排除したことで、男性が女性を演じる「女形」が確立されました。

While being a story about actors, this film is also a rare work that reflects the uniqueness of Japanese traditional performing arts.

本作は、役者の物語であると同時に、日本の伝統芸能の独自性を映し出す稀有な作品です。

This article is from the October 2025 issue of Hiragana Times.

この記事は、月刊誌『ひらがなタイムズ』2025年10月号より掲載しています。