Highest-ranked title
Highest-ranked title
Michiyo Aratama has 6 titles in the CriticCrunch catalog across a career spanning the 1950s through the 1960s. 4 rank in the Top 10%, led by The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer.
Mouchette
1967
Drama
Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning "ghost story," this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his rescue comes at a cost. Blind musician Hoichi is forced to perform for an audience of ghosts. An author relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior's reflection in his teacup.
Dir. Masaki Kobayashi · With Michiyo Aratama, Rentaro Mikuni, Misako Watanabe
After the Japanese defeat to the Russians, Kaji leads the last remaining men through Manchuria. Intent on returning to his old life, he faces great odds in a variety of different harrowing circumstances as he and his men sneak behind enemy lines.
Dir. Masaki Kobayashi · With Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Tamao Nakamura
After handing in a report on the treatment of Chinese colonial labor, Kaji is offered the post of labour chief at a large mining operation in Manchuria, which also grants him exemption from military service. He accepts and moves with his newlywed wife Michiko, but when he tries to put his ideas of more humane treatment into practice, he finds himself at odds with scheming officials, cruel foremen, and the military police.
Dir. Masaki Kobayashi · With Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Chikage Awashima
Kaji, sent to the Japanese army labeled Red, witnesses cruelties in the army and revolts against the abusive treatment against a fellow recruit. He also sees his friend Shinjô defecting to the Russian border, and he ends in the front to fight a lost battle against the Russian tanks division.
Dir. Masaki Kobayashi · With Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Kokinji Katsura
Ryunosuke, a gifted swordsman plying his trade during the turbulent final days of Shogunate rule, has no moral code and kills without remorse. It’s a way of life that leads to madness.
Dir. Kihachi Okamoto · With Tatsuya Nakadai, Yūzō Kayama, Michiyo Aratama
The family of an older man who runs a small sake brewery become concerned with his finances and his health after they discover him visiting an old mistress from his youth.
Dir. Yasujirō Ozu · With Setsuko Hara, Yōko Tsukasa, Michiyo Aratama
Top Collaborators
Directors with 2+ shared titles, ranked by frequency
