Ask This of Rikyu
Storyline
Sen no Rikyu (Ebizo Ichikawa) is the son of a fish shop owner. Sen no Rikyu then studies tea and eventually becomes one of the primary influences upon the Japanese tea ceremony. With his elegant esthetics, Sen no Rikyu is favored by the most powerful man in Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Nao Omori) and becomes one of his closest advisors. Due to conflicts, Toyotomi Hideyoshi then orders Sen no Rikyu to commit seppuku (suicide). Director Mitsutoshi Tanaka's adaptation of Kenichi Yamamoto's award-winning novel of the same name received the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the 37th Montréal World Film Festival, the Best Director Award at the 2014 Osaka Cinema Festival, the 30th Fumiko Yamaji Cultural Award and the 37th Japan Academy Film Prize in nine categories, including Best Art Direction, Excellent Film and Excellent Actor.
Cast & Crew
Ichikawa Ebizo XI
Sen no Rikyu
Lead
Miki Nakatani
Son
Nao Omori
Hideyoshi Toyotomi
Clara Lee
Joseon noblewoman
Yūsuke Iseya
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Ichikawa Danjūrō XII
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Riko Narumi
—
Seiji Fukushi
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What People Are Saying
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Mitsutoshi Tanaka's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. Ask This of Rikyu is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
