Japanese Cinema Essay

Marissa Armstrong
JAPN 310
Professor Takahashi
5/8/14

INTRODUCTION
Going from black and white films to colored seems like the biggest change to the film
industry. However, in Japanese film cinema, a different process of change was taking place.
Undergoing evolutions of tradition and custom, the evolution of women and womens roles in
society were developing. Ways of speaking, working and acting all changed and not only was it
beneficial for women in the workplace, but also for women that still stayed home with the
children. However, the roles of women werent the only thing that changed in the process of
film. There was also an introduction of special effects that gave way to a new era of film. In this
paper I will analyze how exactly womens roles have changed. I will also deduce and describe
how the film industry took a turn when special effects were introduced into movies.
Thesis Statement
Film, over time, has evolved into an aspect of entertainment that has taken over the
industry as one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Japanese films, more specifically,
had a certain typecast of women because that was the historical way for women to act. As
decades went by, womens roles in society changed into a more equal exchange of actions
between men and women. As well as gender changes in films, the introduction of special effects
and computer graphics in films erupted into a new culture of film for Japanese movie companies.
Historical Aspects of Femininity
In the old days of Japan when samurai existed, there was only a main focus on men and
how they lived their lives. In films that were made in that time, around the 1800s, there was just
focus on the masculinity of men while they occasionally showed women keeping up the house.
Fragility and femininity were the basic qualities that embodied females then. This is shown in
Yoji Yamadas Hidden Blade, when the supporting female character Kie acts as the maid to

Munezo. In this movie, many shots of Kie consisted of showing how she was cooking a meal or
handing something to Munezo. These shots focused on how she sat, smiled, and made food. Her
actions were made with a certain type of care that was essential to traditional Japanese women of
the time. When Kie spoke, she was always formal. And her form of dress was always in a
kimono. Hidden Blade showed the true traditional essence of female roles in households.
Historical Lifestyle
With the task of upholding traditional values, film industries have portrayed females as
they were in historical society. The Hidden Blade was a perfect example of the interaction that
men and women had together. The man, if a samurai, would go complete his duties while his
wife watched after the house and children. Daughters would learn to be maids, which is also
shown in the Hidden Blade, as Kie was trained as a maiden so that she would be prepared as a
wife for marriage. Values of respect were taught and there was only a certain way that a woman
could act. It was incredibly difficult for a woman to find a husband if she was unable to do
maidly duties. This is the historical lifestyle that overtook women in that era of Japans existence.
Evolution in 100 Years
Over one hundred years later, the lifestyle of Japanese people changed drastically. Mainly
thanks to the Meiji Restoration, a new genre of life took over Japan. Men and women now
worked, not quite equally, but the age of samurai was completely over. Men went to work in their
given industry, and the women would either stay home or go to their job if they had one. This
new period of time is portrayed well in Ozu Yasujiros Tokyo Story. Women in this film came
from a settled family, with parents and children of their own. They were equal parts of the
relationship between husband and wife. I noticed that instead of being told what to do, the

females were able to discuss with their husband freely what they wanted to do in certain
situations.
Changes in Behavior for Females
The first aspect of change that I noticed was the way one of the daughters spoke in the
film. It was such a contrast to historical times because she spoke to her husband naggingly
without using respect form. Her actions werent particularly feminine and her personality was a
bit snobby. This was completely contradictory to the historical image of women who only spoke
politely and always bowed. One other thing that changed was the way that women dressed. In
historical Japan, kimonos were worn with hair done up beautifully. However, around 1953 when
Tokyo Story was released, the style of dress was much different. It was still conservative, but
women could be seen wearing button up shirts and skirts. A kimono was then only worn for
special events or in the case of this film, as mourning clothes for a funeral. The traditional way of
dress faded. In its place was an evolved type of femininity that was becoming the social norm for
Japanese women.
Women in Work
This new form of social life for women affected the roles of men as well. One thing that
is definitely different is that people married because of love, not because it was arranged by their
lord or father. In this change, along with love, the roles of men became less fierce. Fights
between clans no longer took place and a sense of neighborhood friendliness developed. People
greeted each other on the streets. Modern females of this time even worked. In Tokyo Story, one
of the daughters worked at a salon. The most notable factor of this film was that she was able to
work at all. She could bring in a little extra money for the family and there was no problem. This
was a definite signal that the role of women in society took a turn for the better.

The Next Change

In the next 50 years, women culture developed more into a completely different, detailed
event. The image of females completely changed from what it was. There was no longer a
society that saw women as just wives. They were now an official part of society. This was made
especially apparent in Nakashima Tetsuyas Kamikaze Girls. This movie was full of feminine
empowerment, most notably strength in physical and emotional form. Strength was never a
desired quality in the old days of Japan and their people. So, the fact that it was emphasized
strongly in this movie depicts well the essence of fighting spirit that females have. Back then, it
wasnt appropriate for women to show emotions or cry their eyes out. And yet, its really
accepted now in the 21st century because it shows that that individual has feelings. Along with
emotions being portrayed in this film, there was also a great sense of culture that had developed
among teens and young adults. This is true in the case of fashion, music, and food. Women now
wear anything they want, especially teens. The lead role in Kamikaze Girls, Momoko, has an
obsession with Lolita clothing. Frills, lace, and short dresses make up her whole wardrobe. Short
dresses were unheard of in historical Japan. Luxurious foods were only for nobles. Yet now, there
are many specialty shops to cure everyones sweet tooth. The way females are able to indulge
and express themselves through work, action, and emotion is evidence of how women roles
changed through 150 years of time.
Special Effects and Computer Graphics in Films
Aside from gender analysis, I also chose the topic of special effects incorporation into
Japanese films and how it has enhanced the industry. One of the first films we watched was
Honda Ishiros Gorjira, which introduced one of the earliest forms of realistic effects into films.
Gojira was a kaiju monster that looked to be a giant dinosaur encroaching on innocent civilians.

What it really was however, were manipulated camera angles with a man in a suit of spectacular
armor and scales. In addition to this, sound and lighting effects were added to create a truly
monstrous being. But, thats all Gojira was. A combination of angles and outfits that were put
together in order to capture the audience with fascination and awe. Thus began the new era of
special effects.
Good or Bad for Plots?
The introduction of computerized images and effects has mixed reactions. There are some
who believe the use of these ruin the movie. With all of these lasers, explosions, stunts, and
distractions, there has been a drastic drop in the quality of plots (Special Effects). I, however,
hardly found this to be true when Japanese films use specialties. Going back to Gojira, the
storyline was filled with twists and turns that made the plot iconic. Even now, this movie is being
remade for the third time because it was so good and captured the eyes of so many people.
First Film Styles
I was especially intrigued in the planning of this topic because of how movies did not
always use this style of filming. When films were first made, there was no technology available
to create alternate effects. Everything was made and arranged by hand (Animation). There
werent very many plots that called for huge monsters or explosions, but old movie makers
worked with what they had. Historical films often used storylines that didnt need special effects.
This poses the question, what exactly made films begin to incorporate this style into their
movies? That is answered with the greatest customers to film: the audience.
Change of Film Culture
There are so many genres of film now, but when movies first developed, there wasnt
much to choose from. Over time, change was inputted to appeal to more audiences. This was

incredibly successful, as the right time to incorporate new technology came (Genzlinger). From
the classics like Gojira to the modern movies like Kamikaze Girls, special effects became the
key factor. Lets take Kamikaze Girls, for example. This is a fantastic example of how
computerized graphics have changed the face of film culture. In this movie, one scene consisted
of the main character flying through the air with flying cabbage. The cabbage, made from a
computer screen and put in, added to the comedic aspect of the scene. Without the addition of
this special effect, this film would have been much more dry.
Film Making Tradition in Historical and Modern Times
Film making tradition began with a desire to entertain. Through the years, it has changed
just as much as culture has. So much so that movies representing traditional culture are
considered the classics while those representing modern day life are considered up-to-date.
Introducing computer graphics to films opened up the world to genres that hadnt been done
before. There was so much that could be added to a film to make it intriguing and different from
the rest. New graphics are used in almost every modern movie to enhance a scene. It has become
the new norm for filmmakers.
Social Influences
Another influence on the change in movies from static to graphic, in the sense of effects,
are the social influences of movie customers. Only making one type of movie would become
stagnant. As a result, romance, sci-fi, mystery and more were all invented to appeal to as many
people as possible. In relation to social influences upon the evolution of female roles in Japanese
society, women wanted to be equal to men in their status at work and at home. In these modern
times, it has become more like that. Though these two topics are completely different, social
influences have come upon both to turn them into the better.

CONCLUSION
Change happens to people and things without realization. Whos to say that the world
isnt still changing right now. With looking at the role of women from past to present, it is
inspiring to see the way in which they have been able to reach out into society and be
themselves. Traditions will stay close to hearts and therefore, respect towards elders still matters.
But, modern women have become successful and it is shown in both movies and in real life. The
use of special effects is one of the most incredible assistants to setting movies apart from one
another. In researching how they have affected films, I learned so many new things about how
they have developed and been incorporated into the industry. With these two factors, I believe
films will continue to grow into the most popular form of entertainment.

Animation & special effects: ... films offers library of sfx. (1984). Back Stage (Archive: 19602000), 25(48), 31.
Genzlinger, N. (2012, May 06). Film. New York Times Retrieved from
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Honda, I. (Director). (1954). Gojira [Motion Picture]. Japan: Toho Film.
Nakashima, T. (Director). (2004). Kamikaze Girls [Motion Picture]. Japan: Amuse Pictures.
Ozu, Y. (Director). (1953). Tokyo Story [Motion Picture]. Japan: Shochiku Eiga.
Special effects are revolutionizing film. (1982). New York Times, A.1.b
Yamada, Y. (Director). (2004). The Hidden Blade [Motion Picture]. Japan: Eisei Gekijo.