Enjou (Conflagration)

• Japan 1958, 99 min., B&W

Director:

• ICHIKAWA Kon

Starring:

• ICHIKAWA Raizo
• NAKADAI Tatsuya

Notes:

• Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), the most outstanding building of the temple "Kitayama Rokuonji", proclaimed as a national treasure and regarded as one of the tourist attractions of Kyoto, was burnt down by an apprentice priest in the year 1950. This is a film version of the novel written by MISHIMA Yukio (1925-1970) based on the fact. Long sessions of arguments took place prior to the filming with Kinkakuji, whose priesthood refused to have that name used, and hence the name Shukaku was used.
  

• The leading figure, whose admiration of Shukaku borders on the absurd is well played by ICHIKAWA Raizo who won the Kinema Junpo and Blue Ribbon Award for the best performance of an actor. The part of the depraved and corrupt priest played by NAKAMURA Ganjiro won the Mainichi Film Contest and Blue Ribbon Award for the best performance of a supportive actor.