KOKUHO Press Notes and Photo Gallery From Toho

Source: Toho Co., Ltd
Official Site: kokuhou-movie.com (Japan)

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and images from KOKUHO (国宝), opening in Japanese cinemas on June 6th. Based on the novel of the same name, the title translates to "National Treasure."

SYNOPSIS

"A magnificent art film that appears once in a century" - author Shuichi Yoshida

A beautiful, passionate, overwhelming masterpiece that will be engraved in the history of Japanese cinema is born.

Shuichi Yoshida himself wore the black robes of a kabuki actor for three years, and he wrote Kokuho based on his experiences. The novel is a magnificent biography depicting the 50 years of the protagonist Kikuo, who was born into a clan of yakuza but was adopted by a kabuki actor's family and dedicated his life to the arts. This "national treasure" has now been made into a major film bringing together some of the world's best filmmakers.

The director of KOKUHO is Sang-il Lee. The release of each of his films are always highly anticipated by audiences, and he moved all of Japan to tears with HULA GIRLS (フラガール, Fura Gāru, 2006) which won the 30th Japan Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

The screenplay is by Satoko Okudera. She is one of Japan's leading screenwriters, having won various screenwriting awards for her work on anime and live-action films such as SUMMER WARS (サマーウォーズ, Samā Uōzu , 2009) and the television drama DEAREST (最愛, Saiai, 2021), which highlight the complex web of human relationships and the innermost parts of the human heart.

The cinematographer is Sofian El Fani, who won the Palme d'Or at the 66th Cannes Film Festival for BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (2013), and participated in this film at the request of director Lee. The art director is Yohei Taneda, who worked on KILL BILL (2003). He beautifully and vividly depicts the forbidden world of Kabuki.

In addition, famed wagotoshi actor Nakamura Ganjiro IV is in charge of Kabuki instruction for this film, and also participates as an actor in the main story. He instills his precise and delicate mannerisms in the actors playing female roles, elevating the film to even greater heights.

The cast is also filled with some of Japan's top actors. The lead role of the female impersonator Kikuo Tachibana is played by Ryo Yoshizawa (Kamen Rider franchise, GINTAMA, FAMILIA), who is well known for his good looks and overwhelming acting ability that allows him to play any role.

The role of Shunsuke Ogaki, the heir to a prestigious Kabuki family and Kikuo's rival, is played by Ryusei Yokohama (RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER), who recently won the Best Actor Award at the 48th Japan Academy Awards for his performance in FACELESS (正体, Shotai, 2024).

And the head of the prestigious Kabuki family, Hanjiro Hanai, is played by Ken Watanabe, who is already a world-famous actor for THE LAST SAMURAI (2003), INCEPTION (2010), GODZILLA (2014) and GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019).

The supporting cast features highly regarded actors of Japanese cinema, including Mitsuki Takahata (GOLDEN KAMUY), Shinobu Terajima (R100), Min Tanaka (THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES), Masatoshi Nagase (SAKURA), Nana Mori (TOKYO GHOUL 'S'), Takahiro Miura (SHIN GODZILLA, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR: GUARDIANS), Ai Mikami (BLANK CANVAS: MY SO-CALLED ARTIST'S JOURNEY), Soya Kurokawa, Keitatsu Koshiyama, Kyusaku Shimada (SHIN ULTRAMAN, WHAT TO DO WITH THE DEAD KAIJU?), and Emma Miyazawa (HIT ME ANYONE ONE MORE TIME).

KOKUHO is produced by CREDEUS, the studio behind the KINGDOM and GOLDEN KAMUY series.

SYNOPSIS

A man who would later become a national treasure was born into a clan of Yakuza.

After losing his father in a feud, Kikuo, who has an otherworldly beauty, is taken in by Hanjiro Hanai, the head of a prestigious Kamigata Kabuki family, and plunges into the world of Kabuki. There, he meets Shunsuke, Hanjiro's real son and heir to a wealthy family who has been promised a bright future since birth.

The two men are of opposite bloodlines, with different upbringings and talents. As rivals, they push each other to improve, devoting their youth to the arts, but many events greatly disrupt the gears of fate...

The forbidden world of Kabuki, never before seen by anyone.
Bloodline and talent, joy and despair, trust and betrayal.
At the end of a life of struggle and hardship, come tears of joy and enthusiasm.

Why does he cling to the world of art, live through turbulent times, and rise to become the only "national treasure" in the world?

The stunning climax will shake the souls of all who watch.

CREDITS

Japanese Theatrical Release: Friday, June 6, 2025
Japanese Release Information: Roadshow at Toho Theaters Nationwide

Cast
Kikuo Tachibana: Ryo Yoshizawa
Shunsuke Ogaki: Ryusei Yokohama
Harue Fukuda: Mitsuki Takahata
Sachiko Ogaki: Shinobu Terajima
Akiko: Nana Mori
Teppei Takeno: Takahiro Miura
Fujikoma: Ai Mikami
Soya Kurokawa
Keitatsu Koshiyama
Gongoro Tachibana: Masatoshi Nagase
Umeki: Kyusaku Shimada
Matsu Tachibana: Emma Miyazawa
Nakamura Ganjiro IV
Mangiku Onogawa: Min Tanaka
Hanjiro Hanai: Ken Watanabe

Staff
Director: Sang-ilLee
Original Story: Kokuho by Shuichi Yoshida (published by Asahi Bunko/Asahi Shimbun Publications)
Screenplay: Satoko Okudera
Cinematographer: Sofian El Fani
Art Director: Yohei Taneda

Production Manager: MYRIAGON STUDIO
Production Company: Credeus
Distributor (Japan): Toho

About Toho Co. Ltd.

Toho Company provides high-quality entertainment to a wide range of customers through its film production, distribution, and exhibition business, which is solidly supported by its real estate business including the Shinjuku Toho Building and Hibiya Chante, animation production, DVD software production and sales, and TOHO Cinemas' efforts to expand its network of multiplex cinemas. Among these, "Godzilla," which has been around since 1954, is Toho's flagship IP that has many fans around the world and has been loved for many years.