Koibumi

One-and-a-half years after the end of the Allied occupation of Japan, Tanaka combined two prototypical figures from Japanese post-war cinema in her debut film: the soldier returning from war and the “panpan” (Japanese for street prostitute). In KOIBUMI, these archetypes become marine veteran Reikichi and his adolescent love Michiko. Reikichi earns a living as a translator. His clients include Japanese women, for whom he writes love letters to Western soldiers (first and foremost American GIs) previously stationed in Japan. When Reikichi meets Michiko again, it emerges that she also had a relationship with a US soldier. A Bible quote (!) ushers in the reconnection process between them—"Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone”. A cinematic plea for the need to engage with war, capitulation, and the era of the occupation. (mg)