The Moon Has Risen (Japanese: 月は上りぬ, Hepburn: Tsuki wa noborinu) is a 1955 Japanese romantic comedy film and the second film directed by Kinuyo Tanaka.
Contents
Plot
Setsuko and her older sister Ayako live in their father's house in Nara. Ayako's aunt, who is worried about Ayako's marriage prospects as she grows older, tries to set Ayako up with a bank manager's son. Setsuko is determined not to see her sister enter into an unhappy marriage, and sets about trying to spark a love interest between Ayako and Amamiya, a visiting friend from Ayako's past. Setsuko bounces her ideas off of Yasui, a family friend, and enlists his help, ultimately aiming to get Ayako and Amamiya to go for a moonlit walk together.
Cast
Chishū Ryū as Mokichi Asai
Shūji Sano as Shunsuke Takasu
Hisako Yamane as Chizuru
Yōko Sugi as Ayako
Mie Kitahara as Setsuko
Kō Mishima as Amamiya
Shōji Yasui as Shōji
Kinuyo Tanaka as Yoneya
Background
The screenplay was based on an unused script gifted to Tanaka by Yasujirō Ozu. Contemporary critics noted resemblances to Ozu's films like the use of low-angle shots or the casting of Chishū Ryū.
The Moon Has Risen was the screen debut of Shōji Yasui (born Masao Yomo), who took his stage name from his character in this film.
Legacy
The 4K restored version of The Moon Has Risen was selected for screening at the Classics section at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.