A lengthy period drama centered on kabuki, a traditional Japanese theatrical art form, rarely seems destined for box office triumph. However, Kokuho, a three-hour adaptation of Shuichi Yoshida’s novel directed by Lee Sang-il, defied expectations last year to become Japan’s highest-grossing domestic live-action film. Despite starring veteran actor Ken Watanabe, renowned for his roles in Hollywood hits like Inception and Detective Pikachu, the actor himself initially doubted the project’s potential success.
Watanabe admired the source material but expressed concern about adapting kabuki onto film.
“Kabuki is a very strict culture in Japan, and it’s hard for a normal actor to play in a kabuki play,”
he noted, voicing skepticism when director Lee first proposed the idea. Still, after overcoming those doubts, the film reached audiences far beyond Japan, with plans to release in theaters throughout the United States starting February 20th.
The Storyline and Its Intricate Characters
Kokuho explores the intertwined lives of two kabuki actors across five decades, from 1964 to 2014. One protagonist is Kikuo Tachibana, portrayed by Ryo Yoshizawa, an orphaned son of a yakuza boss who becomes an apprentice under the legendary kabuki master Hanjiro, played by Ken Watanabe. Alongside them is Shunsuke Ōgaki, acted by Ryusei Yokohama, the biological son of Hanjiro, carefully trained to take over his father’s role. Their journeys depict the intense dedication required of onnagata, male actors specializing in female roles within kabuki theater.
The film delves deeply into the passionate commitment demanded of these artists as they strive for perfection. It is both a celebration and a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made in pursuit of artistic excellence.
Physical and Emotional Demands on the Cast
Portraying onnagata required the lead actors to undergo extensive training to master the highly specific, graceful, and physically taxing movements characteristic of kabuki performance. Kikuo Tachibana and Shunsuke Ōgaki’s roles demanded approximately 18 months of preparation. Watanabe’s part, while less active on screen, still involved about four months of rigorous training to learn the choreography and precise gestures necessary for authenticity.
The challenges extended beyond movement. Heavy wigs, elaborate costumes, and prolonged shooting schedules added to the difficulty. Despite this, Watanabe reflected positively on the demanding process.
“All difficult things connect to joy,”
he said.
“It’s all part of a process of getting somewhere. So I never really felt like it was painful or extremely difficult. However, I do complain on occasion. Just sometimes.”
Watanabe’s Role as a Mentor Within the Film
Set mainly in the 1960s, Watanabe’s character Hanjiro serves as a mentor, guiding the fledgling kabuki actors who are portrayed as children by Sōya Kurokawa and Keitatsu Koshiyama. These two young actors develop a rivalry that partly centers on gaining Hanjiro’s approval, adding dramatic tension to the narrative. Watanabe described his character’s role as a steady presence throughout their growth.
“My role was to watch these two characters from being a child to becoming these great kabuki actors, so I was this watchful eye throughout their careers,”
he explained.
“The child actors worked really hard as well, so I got to see them grow up through the process of the film, which is a new experience for me.”
Watanabe Rejects Off-Screen Mentorship Role
Although his character in Kokuho plays a teacher’s role, Ken Watanabe clarified that, in real life, he prefers to treat his fellow actors as equals.
“When I was young, I always felt that acting with others was like stepping into the same ring, and that our career and level of experience doesn’t matter,”
he said.
“I still approach acting the same way. I don’t take the role of a teacher or someone who guides in real life, because we’re all equals stepping up into the same ring.”
This approach highlights Watanabe’s humble perspective on collaboration and performance.
Analyzing the Film’s Popularity and Impact
Despite his initial wariness about how well a kabuki film would resonate, Watanabe remains puzzled yet grateful for Kokuho’s popularity. Apart from its authentic performances and costumes, the production’s meticulous attention to period detail, including frequently changing sets that reflect the shifting decades, may have contributed to its broad appeal. After the movie premiered in Japan, he followed audience reactions on social media.
“I realized that young people love this movie. Then maybe a month later, we couldn’t believe the success,”
Watanabe revealed.
An Emotional and Nostalgic Journey for Watanabe
Before Kokuho, Watanabe had limited familiarity with kabuki specifically, though his own acting began on stage. His Broadway debut as the lead in The King and I in 2015 provided a foundational experience that made working on Kokuho feel reminiscent of earlier parts of his career. He described this sensation as “kind of like déjà vu.” The emotional weight of the film became clear to him during his first viewing.
“I couldn’t stop the tears seeing the final moment of this film,”
Watanabe admitted, showing how deeply connected he felt to the project’s conclusion.
The Ken Watanabe Kabuki Movie’s Broader Reach
With the upcoming U.S. theatrical release, Kokuho is poised to introduce the complexities and beauty of kabuki theater to international audiences unfamiliar with this venerable Japanese art. The film’s success challenges assumptions about what kind of period dramas can capture widespread attention, and its detailed depiction of dedication and rivalry among performers presents a compelling story that transcends cultural boundaries. For Ken Watanabe, this project has proved both a professional challenge and a personal triumph, reaffirming the power of traditional art forms to engage viewers worldwide.
