Movie-Kikujiro

I recently watched a Japanense movie --Kikujiro No Natsu meaning Kikujiro's Summers. The story is in chapters which goes like this....

There a young boy Masao who lives in Tokyo with his grandmother. One summer day he receives a package with a seal and details of his lost mother.
She lives in Toyahasi in Japan some many miles faraway. Upon this the little boy gathers his little bagpack with some 5000 yen to meet his mother.
On the way he meets his neighbours Kikujiro (an ex-yakuza, bad mannered man & bad mouthed, not fond of kids) and his wife. Kikujiro's wife forces him to go with Masao. Kikujiro initially has
no plans to take Masao to his mother instead he goes to the horse races, gamble and splurge all the money.

Kikujiro's mind changes he saves Masao from a Child Molestor in park. They then head to Toyohashi where they stay a lavish hotel only to find out there is hardly
any money left.. from there on starts there real journey when the taxi breaks down and they have to take down to hitch hiking ( you must watch it to see kikujiro's funny actions)
They get lifts from juggler, poet etc.. On reaching Toyohashi and the address.. They find out that Masao's mother has married another man and has a daughter.
Contrary to what expected and known she lived a very different life and forgotten Masao. Kikujiro rushes back to Masao and says that his mother has moved away
even when he knew that Masao has seen his mother.Masao runs around crying. Kikujiro is moved he takes Masao to the beach,he goes to the highway bullies two bikers and gets a blue colored angel bell to make Masao happy.Masao rings the bell manytimes only tosee that maybe an angel will come down and take him to his mother and help him. This scene ends with Masao crying even more.
Then they go to the Shinto Shrine and Masao dreams of dancing Tengu ( Tengu's are supernatural creatures in japanese art & theatre, infact borrowed creatures from Chinese art creatures)
On the way back they meet the bikers again and again a whole fun trip with a camp and traditional games alongwith funny Red Indian Dance, to nude statues etc.
All this reminds Kikujiro of his own mother who abandoned him when he was a young boy, he goes to see her but never meets her. They continue for a few days making Masao happy and loved.
finally the bikers leave and the poet drops them back to Tokyo. Before Masao and Kikujiro part, Kikujiro says "Let's do it again sometime" and Masao thanks him. Kikujiro tells Masao to take care of his grandma.
Masao asks Kikujiro's name and Kikujiro answers "Kikujiro! Now scram!" Masao passes a small bridge with the Angel bell ringing while we see him in the distance.


The movie was very touching and explores many facets of the Japanese society. More so, if clearly shows how as human beings we are alienated and how each one us reacts due to it in most circumstances.
Masao & Kikujiro both depicting normal humans who are alienated inside and each respond in different way to vent out the isloation and coldness felt inside.
we might be living in a society or with people who appear to leading perfectly normal lives yet living in a sea of loneliness and isolation inside.

Interestingly Masao and Kikujiro along there journey realise and unknowningly always react everytime to situations due to there internal residents--anger, loneliness, sadness, non acceptance.
The various characters are almost socially non acceptable people who also seem to need to be valued and accepted for what they are.
Masao ringing the angel bell many a times in the hope of some miracle It was from their journey to Toyahashi they realise how alike they are though unsaid.The summer camp was nicely depicted showing the characters find comfort in each others isloation and learn to understand and value onself and others. It was touching to seehow Kikujiro does all he could to make a little sad boy happy again.. truly unconiditionally and how very much it is important to give.

In the end Masao and Kikujiro being friends and the once sad Masao turned into happy Masao running back home to his grandmother with the angel bells ringing and the now kind of nice, loving Kikujiro asking Masao "Lets do it again sometime" .


Well it as they said towards the end of the movie... the two of them end at a destination which neither of them could have imagined ( at least not without each other)