簪 [Kanzashi / Ornamental Hairpin] (Hiroshi Shimizu, 1941)
Aug
10
1941
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A formal paper with the date stamp for August 10, Showa 16 (1941). DP: Suketarō Inokai.
簪 [Kanzashi / Ornamental Hairpin] (Hiroshi Shimizu, 1941)
Mar
3
melon
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A traditional Japanese room with tatami mats. Boys at a table eat melon slices. A woman makes a phone call. The view through the window reveals a gnarly tree and a mountain in the background. DP: Suketarō Inokai.
“Arigatō! [Thank you!]”
有りがたうさん [Arigatō-san / Mr. Thank You] (Hiroshi Shimizu, 1936)
Nov
6
Arigatō-san (Ken Uehara) courteously thanks someone who shares the road for giving way. DP: Isamu Aoki.
A movie that makes you want to travel*
– Mr Thank You to everyone – poultry included – he passes on his bus
Friendly and helpful, Arigatō-san (Ken Uehara) is there for his passengers and non-bus travellers alike. A sweet roadmovie from a Japan now lost to time.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for November is, again, not date-based, but follows a sloppy schmaltzy all-American Thanksgiving-y narrative. Trying to make it work my way.
“There’s something almost poetic about finding a hairpin in the bath. It’s like the sole of my foot has been pierced by poetry.”
簪 [Kanzashi / Ornamental Hairpin] (Hiroshi Shimizu, 1941)
Jul
24
relaxation
Men relaxing at a roten-buro, an outdoor onsen. DP: Suketarō Inokai.
Someone goes to a spa, beach, or retreat*
– Nanmura, via
Relaxing at an onsen, a young man steps on the titular kanzashi. Now injured with too much time on his hands, he and his fellow nosy patrons start speculating about its owner. Then a telegram announces her arrival.
* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for July is, for unknown reasons, mostly not date-related and follows some sort of vacation narrative.