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v A N A III A N
An Independent Organ for Conodions of Japanese Orig
in
VOL 18� NO. 28
T
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SATURDAY; APRIL 9, 1955
TORONTO. ONT.
with HENRY MQRITSIGU
HOrOH I' was : fortunate enough to see an advance
r''onirig of the movie Jigoku* n (Gate of Hell) about two �vvivks ago, somehow I haven't l;;i.i ihe/tim'e, till now, to discuss :r,y impressions of it. Jigoku-v.ior.. which last week won two ��(Wars" from the (U.S.) Aca-.<!<��.: riy of Motion lecture Arts a!:il Sciences�pne for best .co's-�'tunve.design in a color film', tho scoMid for the best foreign film for j[)54�will probably open e;u'y in May in Toronto. Ear-he!, this film was a prize-winner at the: Cannes (.France)' Festival. : , -..-'.
The- biggest impression or icieu 1 carried away 'from that .showing was that I'd like to see the ir.ovie again/perhaps' t\yo .
more times. V . '.'� � " �..
The m"a in., merit of Jigokumpn, the first successful Japanese color film, is the beauty of its color photography. Particularly � 'effective.,was" the action of the opening scenes: a samurai band is attacking the imperial palace: of the feudal lord then in- power -over nil Japan ... the people of the defending lord are seen in all manner of excitement, scurrying about, some devising a'sehe.me to protect their leader, others fleeing for their lives.. -Brilliant color is exploited to the ut!nost "\vith costumes of various hues, flashing.'.'by in a, very bright sunlight. ?
As far as I can judge it, the; acting was quite acceptable: my "moagVe knowledge of Japanese ways,, and the fact that the setting 'i? 12th century Japan are further handicaps to my: comprehension of the .way of life of the people in the story,
The principle of the plot is easily understood: the sentiment that force cannot conquer true love is carried through .with that typical ponderousness that westerners .have; noted in most Japanese movies, and in other. v-'ays of expression or thinking by Asians in general. When un-'[ic-r-tood that this is a typical trai- of Asians, the slowness of '�the plot can be quite bearable, -s:;.i�.oven" enjoyable. .
;T:;e beauty of the filming is * vrio its most commendable i'v.'tv.ire-. so I shall dwell further <�"'" tv.at. A very striking effect *^ achieved in* the change of �*r.- from the brilliantly color-*-"-. ~r.d. exciting battlefield to � lir.ist temple with a num-���: monks seated in rows, <i in white, contrasted ' ^ a relatively vague baek-
York CritlCS Differ In D�**�!*�.�. � i.> i �' "��' _..
in Review of Japan Film
XEW YORK.�The Shochiku production "Imposter", starring Utaemon Ichikawa and Keiko Kishi, opened Mar., 2'2 at the"oof.h Playhouse amid mixed reviews from the critics.
Dorothy Masters of the News, flatly stated,. "There > little to recommend the new film. It lacks the coloring the 'Nipponese have .used so effectively: there 'lire no Spectacular scenics; it has been severely chopped . . . the original must surely have been as. contusing .as the poorly spliced version." � ' . ;�' : "-"
However, William K. Xinssev, Herald Tribune;, has kinder words; "The- film hs\s not 'sacrificed the distinctive charm of Japanese art. It lacks the dazzling, beauty of "Gale uf Hell," but it.' does have a .stylized grace . .''-. certain scenes are like a Japanese"print come to .life. The action may be/ a bit/slow "for so'nuv movie-goers, but that's the way things are in the life�and art�s of contemplative Asia;". � The New York Tiine's critic,
� Rosjey Crow: her, said in his n-1-
. viow, � "Kvi'ntua.lly- it. hud to-be
' diseoveied � .then the. Japanese
cinema 'also has it-s feats of clay.
At least it has feats less im-
pressiyv, than .. "Ra^hoinon" or
;"(KltO oM'loll." ,
. Archer Wjnstenr New York
� Post.'says.���*�'I wouldn't say .that. "The Imposi'er"'is a flat failure, but it's hard to cite anything i.n. i-l 'Siis'tnii'.ed . long enovigh to aiv>u'se�' cheers in . an Occidental audience. V .
: Gelid-ally,'- at least among the :.critics, it. was agreed that action
was too slow for an .Amorican viewer and that this "Jidai-geki" ' lil>n: Homer S approached close to an .America.:!. Mary-treasurer, melodrama .'in' plot. - - ; ' There was some expression that being. in black and while, it was a letdown after a brilliantly coloivd job like the "Gate of Hell." '.'" -;��.-. . -. ":. "
Robbers Caught, Loot
� � -, _'.'-�-�*� i . � ' "_ ���'.. . ' �. ;
Recovered
Blenheim Youth Ties j For Spedking Honors ;
BLEMHftlM, Qnt � Mary J.eyn, Sass and Ronald IIiroshi Yaniada tied for top honors in the elenion-tary school, class in the'annual public speaking contest sponsored IQ^- Three .men have been charg-
cigar store owner phoned police the license number of the auto used by two bandits who robbed him of about -$5.0 early, today, a -police scout car crew', co'rnorcd men and recovered tht-
Rev. Shimizu To Receive Doctor Degree
N'ANdn'VKH. � Kov. Kosa-
b'uro Shimi/u, 'former./pastor of the Japanese Unitetl Church hero, m>\v pastor of the Japanese United Church in .Toronto, will r�'-eei\ e the dearer of piX-tor of Divinity � nt tho -'annual convtx'a-tion of tlie'Union College of H.C. on April ^I.
K(vv. Shin\iv.n is. to be honored, for his -work with tho Ja]>anese community in Cajuiila. During tl\e 'Second World AVar, ho served in (he 1>.C. Interior, then moved east to found' the Japanese Uiiit-�\rClutrch iit Toronto. So success-
The union'demanded -'reinstate-- !ful' were his efforts that - this mont in the Trades and Labor ; duirch became completelv self-
' ' ' ' -..-'. �:.'.' . . . - � � � 'I ' . � .. ' . -' �...-..�. , �
It lias-.been 'suspended /supporting' in 10 years.
After studying for his Kaehelor of Arls degree at llniyersity of H.C., and for his Master's degree at Harvard, Uev. Shimizu received his theological education by correspondence with Union College! .'�.: - ."���:-.
Current ly. on a world touV, Hev. Shimi7.ii will no doubt nu'ss tho eonvocatioiv ceremony as he will not return to Canada until July.,
B.C. Fishermen's Union Urges Curb on Japanese At Deventh Convention
Ky C.ENNYOHASUI
VANCOUYKK.- 100 delegates
from various Pacific (Toa.^t ffsh-vng vomMr.inities attetuloil th>1 1 Ith.-jjinnuiil- (.Convention of the Uivi'u'd ' �'Fish�;r-nieh ' ajul Allied Workers' l.'.nron M'ar. ^S-Apr. 1. A re.<vi!ution was approved .asking t!-e C;inad.ian �gi_>vtirntnent- to sup , port the -Jim it ing i^f the Japanese .n'lid-oeea'u ciitch' to. five m'illiou \-e:irly for four years ('JO-million salmon were netleil by tlu> Japanese last year\; and opposition to mid-ocean.''salmon fishing, "..-
All top executives of \\\* UFA-. WU were returned, by acelarna-Steveiis as seere-Alox (lord.on' as iHisiness agent, and Steve Staynes as president: �'� �
from "IDo.'i as leftist-donnnated.
by Branch 185, Canadian Legion.i'0t*.'wl recently. Soil of Mr. and Mrs. Toshio Yaniada^ Ronald spoke on Renieriibrance Day.
Last fall, Ronald was winner in a contest sponsored "by the East :/Kent; public schools, at-which time he discussed the story
reported
Toronto .'-.Telegram" last We'd-, nesday.' The rest of the news storv follows:"
The store owner chased .the
men into the street, yelling "Holdup*' and saw them jump into a car which roared west on Bloor st. . . ;
'I ran biick and phoixed police. I wrote: the license number oil', a1 toy .slate -we ^11 in the store/' he -said> -'�..-'
Seconds later jio.l'iec. broadcast the '.description and number of the wanted car and scout car
;s.-thai]''� 1.5--''mimi'los elapsed ] cruising on Caledonia rd. sj)ptted from "the. tinie Totaro Irie, B2,i it as the message caino over the ])roprietpr of the Oriental Gift j radio, ; .
and Ci^ar Store on
of Marilyn Bell's svfim. : .�'-.�: ;\
Lake Ontario ' s^ >v- Wt^s robbed and the crow . jof car 73 captured the suspects -. '.- � /Ion Davenport rd. � ��:
After a brief chase they forced it to the curb on Davenport r<i. P.C.'s Arthur Carefoote and John
^ B
There are
more
JAPANESE YOUTH ADVISED'GO NORTH
TOKYO.^'Go north/ young man," is the advice given in Japan. The Japanese are referring to the northern island of Hokkaido, where development could go a long way in relieving Japan of too much population and too little food.
Hokkaido, with an area of 19,385,475 acres, offers the Japanese people unexplored natural resources, untouched mountain slopes, and lake shares..similar to those of the pioneers of the American west.
The island is one-third the size of Honshu with a population of approximately 4.5 million compared to the 80 million on Honshu* However, in ten jrears only 27,000 settlers have migrated to Hokkaido, the island with a. future, because -f �W victers.
The Japanese prefer th^
tTffptfi 1TMJ ^rh*m tkoy th^nk <vf
tkdr population excess, they �if nu^ratttK to th�
! .Kails' jumped put .with guns
| Mr. Irie said lie was alone in"} drawn /and arrested: three men. .'the store when two men;�one/ i weighing more than- 25li pounds "�r�walked, in and paid for soft �; drinks. " � . .." � "."'.-.-.
j . 'They" kept .wandering--around i in the corner and 1 had mv eve
Montreal Nisei Wins Hair Sty ling Prize
; MOXTRKAL.r-Koso yashi, "proprietor- of the StyTette Hcauty Salon, was winner of the silver cup first prize for hair .styling at the Kastern Canada Huirdn users' ; Convention held Tuesday, .March 20 at the Mount Royal Hotel. There Were 1-1 con testants in all. . .
Miss Wakabayashi is daughter of M r. and Mrs. N obumi Waka-
An INTERVIEW with MASAICHINAGATA
on them. I had an idea thev were
up. to something.
'Then atfer asking about magazine one grabbed me around the .throat and the other pulled out a big black gun. .He went to
(Concluded)
By SABl'RO KIJK) |G}en Miller Story, 167,^38,256
I^os Angeles '� yen in -13 nvonths; Quo \radis, Information revealed by Mr. i H)5,74i;912 yen in 16 months; a Nagata indicated that there were j The Robe, 158,152,032 yen in 13 around^ 3,900 movie houses in '{ months; Japan." Around .350 to 379 fea-
Tolls,
For Whom .the Bell 134,947,228 yen in 27
tures are made in Japan every 'months; Cinderella, 134,563,752
tho till and :totik_out ;h"e said.
Urge English Needed For U.S. Citizenship
WASHINGTONV D.C. �The Daughters of the American Rev-
4he money/ I ycar- Melodrama films are the ' y*'ri in 22 months; From Here to �most . popular although comedy /"Eternity, 12T>,715,981 yen in 16 'and musicals have the larges: ; months; Ta.sk Force, 125,460,776 attraction in. other parts of Asia, Lv<^ in 18 months; Dambo 112,-There are about 100 movie houses - 487,G2l yen in 10 months; and with ciTiV-mascope and 70 capable Living Dfrsert is expected to gross accommodating .vista-visirm. �>''fi>,fKH'i/KK'> yen.
of
There are two cinerama houses,
Congress to require- that all f-x a mi nations for natyraliza-tior. bo taken in English. A waiver of the English language re-uuiren^AL wa.< sponsored by the JACL f-r,. irrounds that good ritizenship is riot based soieiy upon knowledgre of the kmguag0.
!- Around this tinw, coffee came
brve adopted a resolution | one in Toky� and the other in out u*ith coffee cakes. Conver-
Osaka. 170 films are permitted -l.sation then shifted to the powi-to be iraported into Japan out of bilities of making-Japanese films whkh 140 are American made. ;^ith English dialogues. Mr. Na-Statbttcs were released aboot ' Rata claimed that this was most the roost popubir American film? difHruIt to realize for many and their gross recHpts. They are -reasons. He stated th* exper-a� follows: Gone with the Wind, iwent being made>r the A�er-grossed 336^13^550 yen in 28 kvi prodoeerB may develop M>me-metttba; Roman Holiday, 268,- rtbinr to make this feasible for 724367 in 9 mootta; The Great- ; Japanese films.
Emrtk, 209.2ZM41 By this time, some of the
r
� Censorship i� to preTent thinking' about polities and MX,
m the tetter m to the