Umekichi, Omocha and Feminism in Kenji Mizoguchi’s “Sisters of Gion”

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Umekichi, Omocha and Feminism in Kenji Mizoguchi’s "Sisters of Gion"
Kenji Mizoguchi’s seminal film, Sisters of Gion, is one of his many works of fine filmic art. Mizoguchi has also directed such important films as Ugetsu, The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums, and Naniwa Elegy. Though Sisters of Gion or in Japanese, Gion No Shemai, was released in 1936, it is surprisingly feminist in its portrayal of Geisha in Japan. This dramatic film is both a tragedy and a cultural elegy to the women who were Geisha during this time period. Not only does Mizoguchi do a great job of directing the film, but the actors also do a wonderful job of showing the very real drama and pain that comes with their stories. Isuzu Yamada and Yoko Umemura play very...

.....en though she might not be incredibly happy. Omocha, however, is shrewder and feels much more repressed by her job as a geisha. IN her resistance of her place in life, Omocha becomes more proactive in inciting change in the world of the geisha, and in society as a whole. With her being injured at the end, Omocha has a very harsh punishment. She is punished for being more against the geisha lifestyle, and for doing what she thinks is right for her sister and herself. The viewer is moved by her fall, and in this way, Mizoguchi wants to viewer to understand her and feel for her more than Umekichi.
Bibliography
Sisters of Gion. Dir. Kenji Mizoguchi,. Perf. Isuzu Yamada, Yoko Umemura, Benkei Shiganoya. The Japanese Classic Collection, 1936. DVD.