Yoto monogatari: Hana no Yoshiwara hyakunin giri (Killing in Yoshiwara). 1960. Japan. Directed by Tomu Uchida. Screenplay by Yoshikata Yoda. With Chiezo Kataoka, Yoshie Mizutani, Isao Kimura. In Japanese; English subtitles. 109 min.
A superb lead performance by Chiezo Kataoka lends a poignant humanity to the relentless tragedy of a silk merchant named Jiro. Though Jiro is a respected businessman and adored by his community, not one courtesan at a Yoshiwara geisha house will deign to accompany him due to his physical appearance. One lowly servant girl, Otsuru, is an exception; she hopes his high status will help her become a geisha and finds ways to exploit Jiro financially and emotionally. Jiro’s downfall culminates in a violent climax, which stands out as a tour de force of direction for Uchida. Based on a 19th-century kabuki play, adapted by Mizoguchi’s regular screenwriter, Yoshikata Yoda. 35mm print courtesy of Japan Foundation.