Ogin-sama

A film set on the battlefields: the hostilities at the outset soon give rise to no less dramatic conflicts in the life of the young, devout Christian Ogin (Ineko Arima), daughter of a famous tea master. Her earthly passion is directed toward the married and equally devout samurai Ukon (Tatsuya Nakedai), who rejects her love, however. Her subsequent arranged marriage to another man takes place during the persecution of Christians in the late 16th century, which also affects Ogin. Once again, Tanaka highlights her protagonist’s courage to resist and express her longings in remarkably candid fashion. It is the last of six films she managed to wrest from the Japanese film industry – with active and financial support from the Ninjin Club. (mg)