“Nikkatsu 100: A Century of Japanese Cinema”


by Tomohiro Osaki

Staff Writer

Tokyo’s National Film Center is holding an exhibition tracking the development of the Japanese film company Nikkatsu Corporation, which this year celebrates its centenary.

Nikkatsu is probably best known for its production of movies starring hugely popular Japanese actors such as Yujiro Ishihara, Akira Kobayashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.

However, in the face of financial difficulties brought about by the popularity of television during the 1970s and ’80s, Nikkatsu also began to produce soft-porn movies, known as “pink films.”

The exhibition relates the company’s entire history in six separate sections; till Dec. 23.

National Film Center; (03) 3561-0823; 3-7-6, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Kyobashi Station, Ginza Line. 11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. ¥200. Closed Mon., Sept. 10-17, Oct. 29-Nov. 5. www.momat.go.jp.d Tue. and March 21, open March 20. www.nact.jp