Ornamental Hairpin (“Kanzashi”)
Directed by Hiroshi Shimizu
Written by Yoshitomo Nagasi; story by Masuji Ibuse
1941/Japan
Shôchiku Eiga
First viewing/Streaming on Hulu Plus
[box] Kanzashi have been used to adorn the hair of Japanese women throughout the ages. These ornamental hairpins are still considered a form of art and are crafted with pride even today, even though Japanese women wear traditional kimono less than ever before.[/box]
This is another little Shimizu gem without much plot.
The story takes place in a mountain spa. The great Ozu reguar Chishû Ryû, looking very young, plays the gentle Osamura who steps on the titular hairpin while bathing one day. Emi, who lost the ornament, soon comes to retrieve it and apologize. The rest of the film follows the various guests at the hotel: a crabby Professor who complains about everything; a husband who would like to defer to his wife but for the scornful Professor; a Go-playing grandfather and his two lively grandsons; and a group of blind masseurs. Emi and the boys help Osamura begin to walk again. Despite a bit of friction, it is an interlude of peace and happiness that all regret leaving in the end.
Watching these is like grabbing my own interlude of peace. I found it a bittersweet experience as I could not help asking what these people would find back in Tokyo in just a few years time. Impossible to think that Japanese imperialism and militarism had anything to do with the culture that lies behind such films.
Fan-tribute (with music that I personally would turn off)
