Akanezora Beyond the Crimson Sky Film Guide
Akanezora, also known as Akanezora Beyond the Crimson Sky, is a Japanese film released on March 31, 2007. Directed by Masaki Hamamoto and distributed by Kadokawa Pictures, the movie has a runtime of 120 minutes and is set during Japan's Edo period in Fukagawa.
Background and Production
The film is based on an award-winning novel by Yamamoto Ichiriki. The screenplay was written by Masaki Hamamoto and Masahiro Shinoda, with production managed by Masaharu Inaba and cinematography handled by Tatsuo Suzuki.
Plot
Eikichi trains at an established tofu maker in Kyo before moving to the traditional town of Fukagawa Hamaguri-cho in Edo to open his own shop. He meets Ofumi, a lively local girl. With assistance from Ofumi's father, Eikichi finds accommodation in the same tenement and eventually opens his long-planned tofu shop, named "Kyo-ya". Eikichi and Ofumi marry and build a home together. Although the business thrives, their eldest son grows tired of tofu making and becomes involved with gambling. Consequently, a rival tofu maker takes over the shop to cover debts, leaving the family near collapse. Following Eikichi's sudden death in an accident, Ofumi and the children resolve to protect Kyo-ya.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast portraying the central characters and residents of Edo:
- Masaaki Uchino as Eikichi / Denzo
- Miki Nakatani as Ofumi
- Baijaku Nakamura as Hirataya
- Masanobu Katsumura as Kajiro
- Shigeru Izumiya as Genji
- Kazue Tsunogae as Omitsu
- Renji Ishibashi as Seibe
- Shima Iwashita as Oshino
- Kohei Takeda as Eitaro
- Yoshihiko Hosoda as Goro
- Miyu Yagyu as Okimi
Additional cast members include Kazuyoshi Hayashi, Seminosuke Murasugi, Naomasa Musaka, Takahiro Azuma, Takashi Ito, Takashi Tsumura, Yukiko Tachibana, Shoji Kokami, and Erika Asakura.