[Agency for Cultural Affairs] [National Film Archive] Announcement of the exhibition “Film director Moritaka Tasaka 50 years after his death”
*Agency for Cultural Affairs*
Press release: August 14, 2024
**
[National Film Archive] Announcement of the exhibition “Film director Tomoraka Tasaka 50 years after his death”
“Lake no Koto” (1966) Photography snapshot (from left: Ganjiro Nakamura II, Director Tasaka, Ryoko Sakuma) Possessed by Gogyukai
When we look at the rich history of Japanese cinema, we cannot forget the name of the famous director Tomotaka Tasaka (1902-1974). Tasaka, who made his debut in 1926 with “Pumpkin Incident”, eventually established a style full of humanism in literary works such as “The Truth’s Path” (1937) and “Roadside Stone” (1938), and was photographed by Nikkatsu Tamagawa with Tomu Uchida. It was the heyday of the place. He also gained fame as a maker of realistic and humane war films, starting with “Five Scouts” (1938).
In August 1945, Tasaka was exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and was forced to fight illness for several years, but after making a comeback, he focused his efforts on developing stars such as Yujiro Ishihara, Kinnosuke Nakamura, and Ryoko Sakuma at numerous film studios. He left behind many masterpieces such as “Kukko” (1955), “The Hill of the Sun” (1958), “Chiisakobe” (1962), and “Gobancho Yugiriro” (1963).
Despite being proud of such a brilliant body of work, Tasaka has not had the opportunity to be reevaluated for a long time. However, his style, which consistently stands by the small and weak, is full of encouragement for people who are trying to live earnestly, and is particularly strong in this era, which is plagued by a series of disasters and where society’s intolerance is increasing. It should shine. This year, which marks half a century since his death, in conjunction with the publication of a book about Tasaka, our museum will hold the first retrospective exhibition to show valuable materials provided by those involved, as well as special screenings of the director’s works. . Through Tasaka, who sincerely believes in the “goodness” of human beings, this will be an opportunity to reconsider film and the lives of humans beyond it.
*Highlights*
1. * The first large-scale retrospective exhibition to be held half a century after his death *
Although he is a master craftsman who has created many works that left his mark on film history and has earned the deep respect of stars such as Yujiro Ishihara and Ryoko Sakuma, Tomotaka Tasaka has long continued to miss opportunities to be reevaluated. This exhibition, held to mark the half-century anniversary of Tasaka’s death, is the first large-scale retrospective to highlight Tasaka’s great
achievements.
2. * Valuable materials related to Tomoraka Tasaka gathered from all over the world *
Tomoraka Tasaka has always valued his staff and actors. This time, we will feature valuable documents left behind by many people involved, including scripts that he brought with him on film production sites and old materials from actor and film director Isamu Kosugi, with whom he had a close family relationship. Approximately 170 exhibits will be brought together from various fields.
3. *A large-scale screening project will also be held during the exhibition period*
Large-scale special screenings of the same title will also be held from October 8th (Tuesday) to 20th (Sunday) and November 5th (Tuesday) to 24th (Sunday). In addition to all of Tasaka’s existing works, the program includes a total of 40 works, including works by people associated with Tasaka such as Hisako Takihana, Tomu Uchida, Seiichi Ina, and Isamu Kosugi.
4. * Look out for new books related to the exhibition that will deepen your understanding of the exhibition. * During the exhibition period, we will be publishing the book “Guru-san,” a compilation of Tasaka’s statements and writings as well as the testimonies of those involved.
“Film Director Tomoraka Tasaka” (edited by Mariko Sasanuma, Yoshiaki Sasaki, Chihiro Sato, published by Kokusho Kankokai) is also scheduled to be published. Please also take a look at related books that will deepen your understanding of the exhibition.
*Exhibition composition*
Chapter 1
A look at small things: Children from the Meiji period to the early Showa period Tomotaka Tasaka has always drawn “small things” in his own work. His subjects are by no means limited to boys and girls, but he focuses his attention on subtle things that are often ignored on the periphery of the screen, such as innocent people living on the margins of society or wild flowers. In this chapter, we will look at “The True Truth” (1937) and “Roadside Stone” (1938), which were turning points for Tomotaka Tasaka in his younger days when he was active at the Nikkatsu Tamagawa Film Studio, as well as “Mother and Child Grass,” whose films are now lost. (1942) and traces the genealogy of the “small things” depicted in works such as “Little Things.”
“Roadside Stone” (1938) Poster, National Film Archive collection Chapter 2
war and humans
With the success of “Five Scouts” (1938) and “Soil and Soldiers” (1939), Tomoraka Tasaka pioneered a new dimension of war movies filled with realism and humanity, even in difficult times. Present your work energetically. On the other hand, his life was greatly affected by the war, as he suffered the devastation of an atomic bomb in his hometown of Hiroshima, and was on the verge of death due to the aftereffects. After the war, he was one of the first to plan to make a film version of “The Burmese Harp” in 1950, but gave up on it. However, he produced “Nagasaki Songs Are Forgotten” (1952), which was set in the atomic bombed city of Nagasaki. I continued to face things honestly. “Soil and Soldiers” (1939) “Local Photography Stills Exhibition” Poster, National Film Archive Collection (Isamu Kosugi Collection) Chapter 3
A look at small things: Postwar children
After being exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and battling illness, Tomotaka Tasaka began his postwar career as a director with Doburoku no Tatsu in 1949, and continued to focus his attention on “small things” even more than before the war. There is an underlying idea that children are the greatest victims of war. In this chapter, we will introduce “Yukiwariso” (1951), which had a young boy as the main character, “Mechuukko” (1955), which became a full-fledged comeback work after another battle with illness, and “Yukan Kozo” (1953), which was unfinished. We will take a look at the postwar children portrayed by Tomotaka Tasaka through materials, costumes, and accessories from works such as 2010).
“Yukiwariso” (1951) Press materials, Gogyu-kai collection
Chapter 4
Postwar rebirth seen in literary films
After the atomic bombing, Tomoraka Tasaka, who was suffering from a difficult illness, read Eiji Yoshikawa’s novel “Shinran” on his hospital bed and was deeply moved by it. More than ten years later, in 1960, he began making the film into a film, completing a profound two-part series. In addition, Tomoraka Tasaka has received high acclaim by adapting best-selling novels by popular authors such as Yojiro Ishizaka, Shugoro Yamamoto, and Tsutomu Mizukami into films one after another. These works actively employed young stars such as Yujiro Ishihara, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Izumi Ashikawa, and Ryoko Sakuma, as well as up-and-coming screenwriter Naoyuki Suzuki, marking new territory for them as well.
“Baby Carriage” (1956) Script used by director Tasaka, owned by Mr. Haruhiko Motochi
*Chapter 5 People/Life*
Many filmmakers gathered around Tomoraka Tasaka, who was active in the film industry for a long time. Not only Hisako Takihana, who was his lifelong partner and a regular actor in his works, Tomu Uchida and Seiichi Ina, with whom he worked in the film industry as directors of the same generation, but also Isamu Kosugi, an actor and film director with whom he had many friendships in both his professional and private life. Furthermore, there are too many people to list, including Seiichi Ina’s wife Inamoto, who worked as a hairdresser. In addition, similar to his works that continued to focus on small things, he also collected folk crafts and local toys in his private life, sometimes using them as props in his own films. We will explore Tomoraka Tasaka’s personality from materials related to himself and other filmmakers with whom he has connections.
Tomotaka Tasaka (1937) Kosugi family collection
Hisako Takihana (1937) Kosugi family collection
*Related screening project*
We will be holding a screening project related to this exhibition.
* “50 years after death of film director Tomoraka Tasaka” *
*Duration:* October 8th (Tuesday) – 20th (Sunday), November 5th (Tuesday) – 24th (Sunday), 2024
* Venue: * National Film Archive Nagase Memorial Hall OZU (2nd floor)
*Talk event*
We will hold gallery talks with invited guests and explanations of exhibits by our museum researchers.
*Details of each event will be announced on the homepage etc. at a later date.
*War, children, and Tomoraka Tasaka’s two visionary projects* Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Lecturer: Chihiro Sato (film researcher)
Location: Exhibition room lobby (7th floor)
We look back on Tasaka’s work, focusing on the post-war period of struggle as he bet on a comeback, including “The Burmese Harp,” which Tasaka was supposed to direct, and “Yukan Boy,” for which filming was suspended.
* Highlights of the project and explanation of exhibits *
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Lecturers: Mariko Sasanuma (representative of Gogyukai), Yoshiaki Sasaki (visiting researcher at the museum),
Location: Inside the exhibition room (7th floor)
On October 17th, the 50th anniversary of Tasaka’s death, we will explain the highlights of the exhibition and the main exhibits.
* Audio material introduction “Momotaka Tasaka spoken by Matsuo Kishi” * Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Commentary: Yoshiaki Sasaki (visiting researcher at this museum) Location: Exhibition room lobby (7th floor)
On September 25, 1975, film critic Matsuo Kishi will release a rare audio recording of Tasaka talking about his career and memories when “Roadside Stone” was screened at the old film center.
*Related books New releases*
* “Guru-san Film Director Tomoraka Tasaka” *
[Editors] Mariko Sasanuma, Yoshiaki Sasaki, Chihiro Sato
[Publisher] Kokusho Kankokai
[Scheduled publication] October 2024
ISBN:978-4-336-07654-0
A5 size, approximately 620 pages Preliminary price: 8,000 yen + tax
*Event overview*
*Project name*: 50 years after his death Film director Tomotaka Tasaka (English title / Film Director Tomotaka Tasaka)
*Sponsor*: National Film Archive
* Cooperation *: Gougyukai
*Duration*: September 7th [Sat] – November 24th [Sun], 2024
*Closed days*: Monday
*Opening hours*: 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Entry until 6:00 p.m.) *Opening hours will be extended until 8pm on Fridays, September 27th and October 25th. (Entry until 7:30pm)
* Venue: * National Film Archive Exhibition Room (7th floor) *Access*
: Get off at Kyobashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and walk from Exit 1 in the direction of Showa-dori for 1 minute.
Get off at Takaracho Station on the Toei Asakusa Line and walk from Exit A4 towards Chuo-dori for 1 minute.
5 minutes walk from exit 7 of Ginza-itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
Get off at JR Tokyo Station, 10 minutes walk from Yaesu South Exit * Fee*
*
: General 250 yen (200 yen) / University students 130 yen (60 yen) / 65 years or older, high school students or younger, and under 18 years old, people with a disability certificate (in principle, only one accompanying person), National Film Archive Free for Campus Members* *Prices include admission to the permanent “History of Japanese Film” exhibit.
*Prices in parentheses are for groups of 20 or more people.
*If you are a student, 65 years of age or older, have a disability certificate, or are a campus member, please present proof of identification when entering the room.
*If you present your ticket (online ticket “purchase confirmation email” or QR code printout) for a screening hosted by the National Film Archive, the group rate will be applied only once.
*November 3, 2024 (Sunday/Holiday) “Culture Day” can be viewed for free. * Inquiries: * 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
* HP: * https://www.nfaj.go.jp/exhibition/film-director-tomotaka-tasaka2024/
*About details about this release*
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000815.000047048.html
*Download press release materials*
https://prtimes.jp/im/action.php?run=html&page=releaseimage&company_id=47048&release_id=815