Is Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)
Oei, later known as Katsushika Oi, was born the third daughter of Edo’s talented painter Katsushika Hokusai and his second wife Koto. Although Oei became the wife of a town painter for a time, her love of the paintbrush more than her husband spelt disaster and she comes back home to Hokusai from the family she had married into. This is how Oei starts to help her father out in his painting of the “insurmountable high wall”. Meanwhile, Oei can only talk to the painter Ikeda Zenjiro, who is her father’s student, about her pain and worries. Zenjiro has taken Edo by storm as Keisai Eisen, the master of ukiyo-e portraying beautiful women. He visits regularly because he admires Hokusai and secretly likes Oei although their relationship is like childhood friends. Oei respects her father whose paintings fascinated her and continues to work as a painter who supports him behind the scenes. When Hokusai’s masterpiece Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji was completed, she was also by his side.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Drama, History, TV Movie cinema, then Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter offers a fresh and engaging experience that justifies its existence in the 2017 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama, History, TV Movie landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Oei, later known as Katsushika Oi, was born the third daughter of Edo’s talented painter Katsushika Hokusai and his second wife Koto. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, History, TV Movie are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Oei, later known as Katsushika Oi, was born the third daughter of Edo’s talented painter Katsushika Hokusai and his second wife Koto. Although Oei became the wife of a town painter for a time, her love of the paintbrush more than her husband spelt disaster and she comes back home to Hokusai from the family she had married into. This is how Oei starts to help her father out in his painting of the “insurmountable high wall”. Meanwhile, Oei can only talk to the painter Ikeda Zenjiro, who is her father’s student, about her pain and worries. Zenjiro has taken Edo by storm as Keisai Eisen, the master of ukiyo-e portraying beautiful women. He visits regularly because he admires Hokusai and secretly likes Oei although their relationship is like childhood friends. Oei respects her father whose paintings fascinated her and continues to work as a painter who supports him behind the scenes. When Hokusai’s masterpiece Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji was completed, she was also by his side."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Audiences are treated to a masterclass in acting by Aoi Miyazaki, whose portrayal of the protagonist is imbued with a depth and vulnerability that is rare in contemporary Drama. The chemistry with the supporting players is palpable, creating a gravity that pulls the viewer into the screen.
The direction by Taku Katô is marked by a bold and uncompromising hand. Technically, the film is a tour de force. The cinematography makes exceptional use of light and shadow, creating a visual language that mirrors the character's internal journey. The soundscape is equally impressive, with a score that is both haunting and celebratory, perfectly aligned with the thematic progression of the plot. The pacing, over its 73 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, History, TV Movie, then this is a mandatory viewing experience, a film that will haunt your thoughts long after you leave the theater.
The film's ability to transcend its genre labels is why it has earned its 8/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Taku Katô respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter is a rare gem that rewards the audience's attention with a profound and lasting impact. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Aoi Miyazaki or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.2 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.