Part of the 2026 season: Knowing Me, Knowing You

Hakkenden: Fiction and Reality

Hakkenden, 八犬伝

Director SORI Fumihiko

Cast YAKUSHO Koji, UCHINO Seiyo, TSUCHIYA Tao, KUROKI Haru

2024, 149 min, English subtitles

Action | Fantasy | History | Literature

In early 19th-century Edo, celebrated novelist TAKIZAWA Bakin (YAKUSHO Koji) embarks on an ambitious story of eight samurai warriors, bound by a mystical orb that grants them supernatural powers to lift the curse afflicting the Satomi clan. Seeking an illustrator, Bakin turns to his close friend, the legendary ukiyo-e master KATSUSHIKA Hokusai (UCHINO Seiyo). Though Hokusai declines to collaborate, he continues to visit, eager to hear each new chapter as it unfolds.

Nearly three decades pass, but when his life’s work reaches its climax, Bakin’s private life takes its toll — in addition to family strife, he begins to lose his sight. Just as despair sets in, his devoted daughter-in-law, Omichi (KUROKI Haru), offers to assist him, rekindling his determination to complete the masterpiece.

Hakkenden has been adapted for film numerous times since the 1950s, but this adaptation is different. Masterfully directed by SORI Fumihiko (Pinpon, 2002), it effortlessly blends the intimate true story of some of Japan’s most renowned artistic historical figures with the world of fascinating heroes Bakin created, alongside breath-taking visual effects.

Contains fictitious action sequences

©2024 “Hakkenden: Fiction and Reality” Film Partners

公式サイトはこちら:https://www.hakkenden.jp/

Screening dates

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