rail & train in japanese cinema

[Peter Grilli]

Trains -- both real and metaphorical -- run constantly through Japanese films.

Other respondents to this list have already noted the trains in Ozu's films, and
the coupling locomotives in Ichikawa Kon's version of "Kagi."   (And then
there's Ichikawa's 1957 film which even has trains in its title:  "Man'in
Densha" -- A Full-Up Train).  Kurosawa's use of the Shinkansen in "Tengoku to
Jigoku" is unforgettable. Peter Tombs has just reminded us of Kurosawa's script
for "Runaway Train"  (which I just saw again on TV, and liked all over again!)

Someone recently noted  Tora-san's frequent train journeys in the "Otoko wa
Tsurai Yo" films.  Director Yamada Yoji also uses trains effectively in other
films like "Kazoku," and (as I recall) in "Kokyo" and "Hara-kara."

One film where the train-imagery is particularly significant is Hidari Sachiko's
rarely seen 1977 film (produced for the Naitonal Railway Workers Union) called
"Tooi Ippon no Michi"  or  "The Far Road."   This films details the life of the
family of a Hokkaido railroad worker from the end of the war until the late
1970s.  Trains are a central "character" in the movie, symbolizing --
predictably -- change and "progress."

There are many, many other examples.....and it will be interesting to follow the
development of this subject through letters from other members of this e-list.

Peter Grilli


Pete Tombs wrote:

> I seem to recall that the original story for the 1985 film RUNAWAY TRAIN was
> written by Kurosawa. I've no idea if this same script was ever used for a
> Japanese film
>
> Pete Tombs
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gay Jean Triplett <gjt2 at columbia.edu>
> To: <KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu>
> Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2000 5:16 AM
> Subject: Re: rail & train in japanese cinema
>
> > In Kurosawa's High and Low the Kidnappers use the shinkansen to ensure
> they
> > get their money without interfereence from the police ( it can't stop and
> the
> > windows don't open but a few inches)
> >
> > Gay Jean Triplett
> >
> > Luc BEAL wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi guys!
> > >
> > > can somebody recommend me  academic publication on the role of trains
> and
> > > railroads in japanese cinema? I am particularly interested by :
> > >
> > > - the representation of trains in Anime movies (high tech objects or
> > > nostalgic representation)
> > >
> > > - examples of 'detective movies'  in which Train timetables and
> connexions
> > > between trains play a key role in the solution of the investigation (I
> > > remember reading a novel called "tokyo express', by Guy stanley, on that
> > > theme).
> > >
> > > Also,  if somebody can suggest me an essay on the theme of trains in
> cinema
> > > (not only Japan).
> > >
> > > thank you very much in advance.
> > >
> > > Luc BEAL.
> > >
> > > PS : I cannot recall the name of the japanese movie (is it :"the tatooed
> > > woman"?) where a young woman travelsevery month during one year  by long
> > > distance train to have her body tatooed. Does anyone know which movie it
> > > can be?
> > >
> > > tks
> >