“Ishin no Kagaribi (Restoration Fire),” 1961 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Chiezo Kataoka and Ryunosuke Tsukigata.
The story of Shinsengumi and one of its deputy leaders, Hijikata Toshizo.
“Iya na Onna (Desperate Sunflowers),” 2016 drama, 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Directed by Hitomi Kuroki. Starring Yo Yoshida and Yoshino Kimura.
Tetsuko is straight as an arrow and is a career-driven attorney, while her more free-spirited cousin, Natsuko, is a schemer who can con the best of them. Tetsuko has had a bugaboo (something that causes distress) about Natsuko since they were kids. One day, the cousin tracks her down because she needs legal defense against a romantic interest she tried to hustle. Tetsuko reluctantly takes the case, but after she wins, the irresponsible client disappears without paying for legal fees. Natsuko shows up again to enlist her cousin’s help on another suspect legal problem, but the reunion does not go well. However, Tetsuko soon learns some life lessons from her free-spirited, swindling cousin.
“Jinsei Gekijo Hishakaku (Life of Hishakaku),” 1963 drama, 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. Starring Koji Tsuruta, Yoshiko Sakuma and Ken Takakura.
After eloping with a prostitute, Otoyo, Hishakaku takes refuge in the Kogane family’s turf. Indebted to Boss Kogane for his kindness, Hishakaku swears to dedicate himself to protect the Koganes in time of crisis. Hishakaku’s humble life comes to a sudden halt when the Kogane family becomes involved in a fatal feud with their rival, and Hishakaku’s services are called upon.
“Kaizoku Bahansen (The Pirates),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Ryunosuke Tsukigata.
The son of a successful trading ship operator, Kamon, avenges the death of his father.
“Kobe Kokusai Gang (The International Gang of Kobe),” 1975 action film, 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Directed by Noboru Tanaka. Starring Ken Takakura and Bunta Sugawara.
An international gang fights with other families at postwar Kobe.
“Mother,” 2014 drama, 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Directed by Kazuo Umezu. Starring Ainosuke Kataoka and Mimi Maihane.
“Mother” is an autobiographical story, for renown manga artist Kazuo Umezu, depicting the relationship between Kazuo Umezu and his deceased mother, Ichie.
A publishing company is working on a book about Umezu’s life. The lead editor, Sakura, knows that Umezu’s late mother Ichie was very influential to his work. Her investigation leads to bizarre incidents occurring one after another and the possible return of his late mother.
“Musume no Naka no Musume (Sister with Sister),” 1958 drama, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Saeki. Starring Hibari Misora, Ken Takakura and So Yamamura.
Yoshiko finds new life and love interests when she takes a new job as an office worker.
“Nihon Yakuzaden Socho e no Michi (The Sword of Justice),” 1971 action film, 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Directed by Masahiro Makino. Starring Ken Takakura and Tomisaburo Wakayama.
When the aging leader of the yakuza gang Maeda-gumi decides to retire, many of the gang members have no confidence in the young man he has chosen to replace him. A fight for the succession begins.
“Otoko wa Tsuraiyo Shibamata Bojo (Tora-san’s Dear Old Home),” 1972 comedy/drama, 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Directed by Yoji Yamada. Starring Kiyoshi Atsumi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.
Tora-san meets three women on vacation in the historic, charming city of Kanazawa. Shy but pretty particularly catches Tora-san’s eye. A few weeks later, Utako visits Tora-san in Shimabata, and Tora-san believes she has fallen in love with him, unaware that she hopes to marry a potter in the countryside.
“Shin Hebihimesama Oshima Sentaro (Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro),” 1965 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. Starring Hibari Misora and Yoichi Hayashi.
Young Sentaro struggles to avenge the murder of his younger sister Osuga and his father.
“Shin Kyodai Jingi (Code Between Brothers: All New),” 1970 drama,
1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Saeki. Starring Saburo Kitajima and Bunta Sugawara.
The story of three brothers, the oldest of which inherits gang leadership.
“Shinonomero Onna no Ran (In Blazing Love),” 1994 drama, 2 hours and 8 minutes.
Directed by Ikuo Sekimoto. Starring Keiko Saito, Rino Katase, Yoko Mina-
mino and Masahiko Tsugawa.
Shortly after being sold to a geisha house at age 5, Shizu is befriended by a fellow older geisha, Tsuru. After years of living and working together, Tsuru and Shizu manage to run the operations of Shinonomero as the proprietress and assistant. Despite vows to never to let their lovers come between them or Shinonomero, moments of weakness leave Tsuru and Shizu caught up in a web of betrayal and plunged into debt. With the guilt of losing Shinonomero to Udo, a yakuza who loaned them money, it is now up to young Shizu to redeem Tsuru’s honor and restore Shinonomero as their own.
“Tokyo Beranme Musume (The Tokyo Dame),” 1959 drama, 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Sasaki. Starring Hibari Misora, Jun Tatara and Miki Sanjo.
Misora Hibari stars in this heartwarming story of love and forgiveness. A young woman struggles to keep her family together after her sister marries the wrong man and is disowned by their father.
“Yoake no Futari (Rainbow Over the Pacific),” 1968 drama, 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Directed by Yoshitaro Nomura. Starring Yukio Hashi and Jun Mayuzumi.
As a part of year-long festivities celebrating the 150th Anniversary of
Japanese Immigration to Hawaii, NGN presents “Yoake no Futari” (Rainbow Over the Pacific).
This film was made in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Hawaii. This film is a tale of romance that moves from the streets of Tokyo to the islands of Hawaii and features many prominent local figures, including the late Senator Daniel Inouye and sumo legend Jesse Takamiyama.
Hideo, an aspiring photographer from Japan, and Reiko, a beautiful Sansei Cherry Blossom contestant from Hawaii are drawn together by destiny, yet appear to be fated to be apart. Will the sun set on their young love, or will it be the dawn of a new relationship?
“Yume no Hawaii de Bon Odori (Dancing in Hawaii), 1964 drama, 1 hour 34 minutes.
Directed by Ryuchi Takamori. Starring Kazuo Funaki and Chiyoko Honma.
College student Natsuo is working hard to earn enough money to take a trip to Hawaii. Though his late father was born there, he was disowned by his family when he moved to Japan to marry Natsuo’s mother, Shizue. When Natsuo finally arrives in the islands, he attempts to develop a relationship with his grandfather. Though he still harbors his past resentment, in his old age, Natsuo’s grandfather misses his hometown in Osaka. So in an attempt to cheer him up, Natsuo plans a big bon dance celebration.
