Bored with school, 15-year-old Daisuke Kawashima embarks on a pilgrimage to visit the 7,000-year-old cedar tree on distant Yakushima Island. Through his journey, Daisuke meets a number of interesting people, including friendly truck driver Sumire and a mysterious mountaineer girl.
Direction
Yamada's patient, unhurried observation of ordinary lives
Cinematography
Yakushima's ancient forests shot with reverent stillness
Director
Yoji Yamada
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yakushima's Jomon Sugi cedar was discovered in 1966; its exact age remains debated, adding mythic weight to Daisuke's quest.
Yamada shot this during his '90s resurgence, treating teenage restlessness with the same dignity he gave samurai in his Tora-san films.
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