The Three Treasures
The Three Treasures (日本誕生, Nippon Tanjō, lit. Birth of Japan) is a 1959 Japanese film directed by Hiroshi Inagaki. The film is based on the legends Kojiki and Nihon Shoki and the origins of Shinto.[1] The film was the highest-grossing film of 1959 for Toho and the second highest grossing domestic production in Japan for the year.
| The Three Treasures | |
|---|---|
 Japanese film poster | |
| Directed by | Hiroshi Inagaki |
| Produced by | |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Kojiki and Nihon Shoki |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Akira Ifukube |
| Cinematography | Kazuo Yamada[1] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Toho |
Release date | October 25, 1959 (Japan) |
Running time | 182 minutes[1] |
| Country | Japan |
Plot
The Three Treasures retells the story of the Yamato Takeru legend, and features a recounting of the great battle between Susanoo and the legendary dragon Orochi, when his aunt presents him with the sword found within.
Cast
- Toshiro Mifune as Prince Yamato Takeru and Susanoo
- Takashi Shimura as Elder Kumaso
- Kōji Tsuruta as Younger Kumaso
- Ganjirō Nakamura as Emperor Keikō
- Akira Takarada as Prince Wakatarashi
- Kinuyo Tanaka as Princess Yamato
- Yoko Tsukasa as Princess Oto Tachibana
- Kyōko Kagawa as Princess Miyazu
- Setsuko Hara as Amaterasu
Production
Stuart Galbraith IV described the film as a religious epic in the style of director Cecil B. DeMille that featured "virtually every star and bit player on the Toho lot".[1]
Release
The Three Treasures was distributed theatrically in Japan by Toho on November 1, 1959.[1] The film was Toho's most profitable film of the year and second highest grossing domestic film of 1959.[1] The film was released in the United States by Toho International Company with English-language subtitles on December 20, 1960.[1] This version of the film was cut to 112 minutes.[1]
References
Footnotes
- Galbraith IV 2008, p. 161.
Sources
- Galbraith IV, Stuart (2008). The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-1461673743. Retrieved October 29, 2013.