Ejima and Ikushima(1955)

Ejima and Ikushima Synopsis

This period film is inspired by one of the most notorious scandals to have taken place in Edo-period Japan. The heroine, Ejima, was a lady of the Ooku, the harem of Edo Castle in which the Shogun’s mother, wife and concubines resided, forbidden from contact with any other man except in the presence of the Shogun. The institution played a key role in the Byzantine world of Japanese court politics during the Edo era. In 1714, Lady Ejima was sent to pay her respects at a Buddhist temple in the city, and chose to pay an unauthorised visit to the kabuki theatre – a violation of protocol that was to have tragic consequences.

Ejima and Ikushima (1955) is a drama film directed by Hideo Ōba, released on October 30, 1955 with a runtime of 2h 6m. It stars Chikage Awashima, Ichikawa Danjūrō XI, Mitsuko Kusabue and Mieko Takamine.