Kokuho (film)
| Kokuho | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Japanese | 国宝 |
| Directed by | Lee Sang-il |
| Screenplay by | Satoko Okudera |
| Based on | Kokuho by Shuichi Yoshida |
| Produced by | Shinzo Matsuhashi |
| Starring | Ryo Yoshizawa Ryusei Yokohama Mitsuki Takahata Shinobu Terajima Min Tanaka Ken Watanabe |
| Cinematography | Sofian El Fani |
| Edited by | Tsuyoshi Imai |
| Music by | Marihiko Hara |
Production companies | Myriagon Studio Credeus |
| Distributed by | Toho |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 175 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Kokuho (国宝, Kokuhō; lit. National Treasure) is a 2025 Japanese drama film directed by Lee Sang-il, written by Satoko Okudera, and starring Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinobu Terajima, Min Tanaka, and Ken Watanabe.[1][2] It is based on a novel of the same name by Shuichi Yoshida.
The film follows the life and career of two fictional kabuki performers.[3] The title refers to the Japanese title of Living National Treasures (Ningen Kokuhō), individuals certified as preservers of intangible cultural properties, in this case kabuki.
The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2025.[4] It was a critical and commercial success.[5][3]
Plot
Kikuo Tachibana, born the son of a yakuza, was adopted by kabuki actor Hanai Hanjiro at the age of 15 after his father was murdered by a rival gang. In the world of Kabuki, bloodline is highly valued, but Kikuo, with his natural talent, achieves great success.
Cast
- Ryo Yoshizawa as Kikuo Tachibana / Hanai Toichiro / Hanai Hanjiro III
- Sōya Kurokawa as young Kikuo
- Ryusei Yokohama as Shunsuke Ōgaki / Hanai Han'ya
- Keitatsu Koshiyama as young Shunsuke
- Mitsuki Takahata as Harue Fukuda
- Shinobu Terajima as Sachiko Ōgaki, Shunsuke's mother
- Nana Mori as Akiko
- Ai Mikami as Fujikoma, a geisha
- Kumi Takiuchi as Ayano, Kikuo and Fujikoma's daughter
- Masatoshi Nagase as Gongorō Tachibana, Kikuo's father
- Emma Miyazawa as Matsu Tachibana, Kikuo's foster mother
- Takahiro Miura as Takeno
- Kyusaku Shimada as Umeki
- Tateto Serizawa as Genkichi
- Nakamura Ganjirō IV as Akiko's father
- Min Tanaka as Onogawa Mangiku, a Living National Treasure
- Ken Watanabe as Hanai Hanjiro II, Shunsuke's father
Production
Ryo Yoshizawa, the lead actor, trained for a year and a half under Kabuki actor Nakamura Ganjirō IV alongside Ryusei Yokohama. Yoshizawa regarded this film as the culmination of his career so far.[6] After seeing the completed movie, Ken Watanabe gave his strong approval, saying, 'I believe this will become Ryo's signature work.[7]
In making this work, the main cast members Ryo Yoshizawa and Riku Yokohama devoted a year and a half to rehearsals, including kabuki dance and movements, and spent three months filming. In an interview after filming, Yoshizawa said, "Practicing for a year and a half, I realized more and more that I couldn't keep up the pace the more I did. Compared to everyone who has been performing on stage since childhood, of course, a year and a half isn't enough to master it all, but I think what was necessary for this film was the spirit of clinging to kabuki despite understanding that. That perseverance was what I felt was needed." Yokohama commented, "I didn't know much about the world of kabuki myself. If I had known more, I might have been overwhelmed with unnecessary information, so maybe my desire to learn more came from not knowing. While respecting the customs and traditions, I also lived as a kabuki actor, and I think I was able to throw myself into it wholeheartedly."[8].
When asked about a scene that left a strong impression while playing in this work, Yoshizawa replied, "It might not be the same as 'touching the heart,' but there is a scene where I dance wildly on a rooftop of a building. Out of about three takes, what I was doing was all over the place and mostly improvised. The one used was the last take, and the director told me to look at Nanao Mori's face. When I looked at her suddenly, she asked, 'Where are you looking?' That line naturally came out of me, thinking, 'Where am I looking?' It was a moment where, through my own filter, I wondered, 'Where is Kikuo looking?' and I couldn't quite tell. I remember everything about the filming of that scene vividly, including that honest line."[8].
Regarding a scene or line that left an impression, Yokohama responded, "The line Shunsuke says, 'I want to become a true actor,' really struck me... Shunsuke and I are complete opposites, but that one desire was something I could resonate with and empathize with."[8].
Box office
This film was released in Japan on June 6th and debuted in third place with a box office revenue of 346 million yen in its first three days, following Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.[5] It received high praise from audiences and moved up one spot in its second week, with cumulative box office revenue surpassing 1.1 billion yen.[9] The film finally hit number one in its third week and held that spot for four consecutive weeks until Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle was released.
Toho announced on August 18 that Kokuho has become the fourth Japanese live-action film to surpass 10 billion yen at the box office. It's the first film to achieve this milestone in 22 years, since Bayside Shakedown 2.[10]
See also
List of highest-grossing films in Japan
References
- ^ "国宝". eiga.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "'Kokuho' finds riveting drama on and off the kabuki stage". The Japan Times. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b Schley, Matt (2025-06-06). "'Kokuho' illuminates the high price of becoming a national treasure". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ "『国宝』吉沢亮、横浜流星＆渡辺謙と初のカンヌへ「海外の皆様にどう受け止めてもらえるか」". Cinema Cafe (in Japanese). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b "『リロ＆スティッチ』が初登場1位! この他新作は3位に『国宝』、7位に『見える子ちゃん』がランクイン(2025年6月6日-6月8日)". Kogyo Tsushinsha (in Japanese). 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "吉沢亮「僕と流星は1つの役に1年半の準備かけた」横浜流星とともに魂込めた主演作「国宝」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 7 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "渡辺謙、主演・吉沢亮を絶賛「代表作になるね」 覚悟と執念を評価". Oricon (in Japanese). 23 April 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Fumitaka Otsuka (2025-06-02). "Ryo Yoshizawa and Riku Yokohama embodying their roles fully, the true meaning of dedicating oneself to art ["National Treasure" interview]". Eiga.com. Eiga Dot Com Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "『リロ＆スティッチ』が2週連続で1位! 新作は3位に『フロントライン』、5位に『ドールハウス』がランクイン(2025年6月13日-6月15日)". Kogyo Tsushinsha (in Japanese). 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "『国宝』興収100億円突破! 邦画実写22年ぶりの快挙、吉沢亮＆横浜流星らが感謝". Cinematoday (in Japanese). 18 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.