Kabuki, one of Japan’s most revered traditional performing arts, has long stood as a cultural symbol of the nation. Originating in the Edo period and recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kabuki is not merely a stage performance but a legacy passed down through generations. In this world, lineage often determines destiny—not everyone is granted the honor of standing on its sacred stage. From this reality emerges Kokuho, a film that explores ambition, sacrifice, and the struggle for identity.
Directed by Lee Sang-il, Kokuho was screened at the Jogja Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 2025 at Empire XXI, Yogyakarta, on Thursday (December 4). Over nearly three hours, the film immerses audiences in the grandeur and pain of the Kabuki world through the life journey of Kikuo Tachibana.
Kikuo is not born into a Kabuki family. Instead, he comes from a yakuza lineage—an existence starkly opposed to the discipline and refinement of traditional theater. Yet from an early age, Kikuo displays extraordinary talent in Kabuki. His fate takes a dramatic turn after his father is murdered, leading him to be adopted by Hanjiro Hanai, a highly respected Kabuki actor. There, Kikuo grows up alongside Hanjiro’s only son, Shunsuke.
Thus begins an epic story. Kikuo and Shunsuke mature together as close friends and fierce rivals, inheriting the “blood” of two opposing worlds—Kabuki and yakuza—while sharing a single purpose: to devote their lives to the perfection of Kabuki art.
Kikuo’s ambition is powerfully captured in a reflective dialogue with his daughter.
“I don’t pray to God—I make a deal with the devil to become the greatest Kabuki actor in Japan,” he says.
The line encapsulates both his unwavering determination and the tragedy that shadows his path.
Spanning five decades, Kokuho portrays the rise and fall of fame, the clash between talent and lineage, scandals, glory, and the fragile interplay of trust and betrayal. Beyond its emotional depth, the film offers breathtaking visuals, presenting authentic Kabuki performances with remarkable detail. Classical pieces such as Ninin Dojoji and Sonezaki Shinju are filmed in full without dubbing, offering audiences a rare glimpse behind the curtain of this ancient theatrical tradition.
Produced by Sony Pictures, Kokuho features a stellar cast, including Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinobu Terajima, Min Tanaka, and Ken Watanabe. Yoshizawa and Yokohama’s performances as onnagata—male actors specializing in female roles—have drawn widespread acclaim and become one of the film’s defining highlights.
Breaking Records: Kokuho Becomes Japan’s Highest-Grossing Live-Action Film
Beyond its artistic achievement, Kokuho has made history at the Japanese box office. Distributor Toho Co. announced that as of November 24, 2025, the film had earned 17.377 billion yen (approximately USD 120 million), officially becoming the highest-grossing live-action film of all time in Japan.
The milestone ended a 22-year reign held by Bayside Shakedown 2. Since its release in June, Kokuho has attracted more than 12.3 million viewers, an extraordinary feat in a market typically dominated by animated films and manga adaptations.
The film’s success is widely regarded as a cultural phenomenon. Strong word-of-mouth promotion drew younger audiences who had previously shown little interest in Kabuki. Its impact was immediate: the Kabuki Society of Japan reported that between July and October, approximately 10,000 people visited the Kabukiza Theatre for the first time. Meanwhile, the original novel by Shuichi Yoshida experienced a resurgence, with cumulative sales surpassing two million copies.
Kokuho has also received enthusiastic responses on the international stage. The film has screened at major global festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, and has been officially selected as Japan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Academy Awards.
The global rise of Kokuho demonstrates that stories deeply rooted in local culture—when told with honesty and cinematic mastery—can resonate worldwide. More than just a film, Kokuho serves as a bridge between tradition and a new generation, uniting ancient art with modern audiences.
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