Specialties

Movie: Tonbi Filming location: Okayama

First film adaptation of the bestselling novel, Tonbi, by the author, Kiyoshi Shigematsu.
“Story of a family,” depicting the everlasting bond between a parent and a child.

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【STORY】

Showa era, year 37 (1962), in Bingo city, facing the Seto Inland Sea. Yasu, who works for a transport company is blasting a three-wheeler vehicle energetically as usual. He cannot hide how happy he is about his beloved wife Misako’s pregnancy, so he is teased day after day by his childhood friends Shoun and Taeko who is like an older sister to him. Yasu was separated from his parents at a young age, so to be able to make a family of his own was the greatest happiness to achieve. When Akira was born, many made a huge fuss saying a Japanese phrase “Tonbi ga taka wo unda (a black kite gave birth to a hawk),” which meant that a superior child can be born from ordinary parents. However, the happiness was brutally crushed by the death of his wife from a tragic accident. This was how the life of just father and son begins.
Akira does not understand his mother’s death and Yasu blames himself for her death. Kaiun, the Buddhist priest explains to Akira that everyone will step in to take the role as Akira’s mother. And to Yasu, he gives a strong encouragement telling him “you be the ocean.” Ocean quietly absorbs the falling snow. Don’t let Akira’s sadness pile up within him. Yasu became a father without knowing the love of his own parents. With the support from his friends, Yasu with his clumsy way of showing affection raises his child only wishing for his happiness. But one day, Akira insists on knowing the truth about his mother’s death. Yasu is forced to lie to him.

【Original Work】Kiyoshi Shigematsu「Tonbi」(Kadokawabunko)
【Director】Takahisa Zeze
【Screenplay】Takehiko Minato
【Cast】Hiroshi Abe
    Takumi Kitamura Anne Ken Yasuda Yuko Oshima
【Film Distribution 】KADOKAWA AEON Entertainment

Comment

Comment from the Director, Takahisa Zeze
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Comment from the Director, Takahisa Zeze

The original setting in the novel by Kiyoshi Shigematsu is based on a fictitious city, Bingo in Hiroshima prefecture. I wanted to find a town depicting an atmosphere unique to that region facing the Seto Inland Sea. Furthermore, Kiyoshi Shigematsu is from Okayama, and his father worked at a transport company which was also located in Okayama. So in a way the novel “Tonbi” held an autobiographical element, so I wanted to pay my homage, and start the filming in Okayama. That’s where everything started.

Comment from Hiroshi Abe, actor playing the role of Yasuo Ichikawa.  
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Comment from Hiroshi Abe, actor playing the role of Yasuo Ichikawa.  

The climate is mild and temperament of the people are also very calm. The people of the town supported our filming until the very end, and we were extremely happy that we could film in such a welcoming environment.
Also, I had fun speaking the Bingo dialect, but it was different from the Hiroshima dialect I knew from the movies I’ve seen.

Comment from Takumi Kitamura, actor playing the role of Akira Ichikawa.
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Comment from Takumi Kitamura, actor playing the role of Akira Ichikawa.

I really felt the warmth from the people there. It was a prefecture where the adjective “warm” is quite fitting and the weather was always clear, living up to the name “the sunny country.”
Also, fish was very tasty and it was my first experience to see sashimi inside a bento box passed out at the filming locations. I enjoyed the fine food and I was able to participate the shooting feeling calm every day.

Filming location scenery

We filmed at 8 different municipalities in Okayama prefecture for the duration of 1 month, from November to December, 2020.
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We filmed at 8 different municipalities in Okayama prefecture for the duration of 1 month, from November to December, 2020.

Because many local extras participated in the shooting, we were able to express the lively showa era.
Along with changing of the times, enjoy the changing scenery of the shopping district♪

Main filming locations

①Konko-cho, Otani-chiku District
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①Konko-cho, Otani-chiku District

This area served as the shopping district of “Bingo city” where the main character Yasu and other characters inhabits. The small restaurant “Yunagi,” where Yasu and his buddies frequently gathered was a set prepared in part of a rental space in this town. The set decoration of the entire town started one month prior to the shooting. The set decoration such as the signboards changes as the time moves forward in the film. Over 200 extras, mostly locals participated in shooting the scene of the festival to create a lively atmosphere.

②Osabana Kaigan Coast
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②Osabana Kaigan Coast

This is where the heartwarming scene of Unkai and Yasu was filmed. The scene where Unkai encourages Yasu “be the ocean.” The shooting took place on a pitch dark beach using bright lighting equipment. Many onlookers gathered even though the shooting took place in the night time.

③Kasaoka-shi, Kaneura-chiku District
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③Kasaoka-shi, Kaneura-chiku District

This location appears in the film as an area where Yasu and Akira’s house stands. The area along the Yoshidagawa river still holds nostalgic atmosphere of the passed period. The shrine “Konpira Daigongen,” where Yasu visits to pray is also located in this area.

④Kyu-Oshima Higashi Shogakko Elementary School
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④Kyu-Oshima Higashi Shogakko Elementary School

Former Oshima East Elementary school (Currently used as Ocean Schoolhouse)
This location was used for the filming of Akira’s elementary school graduation ceremony. The local students, their parents and school teachers participated in the filming of the scene.
*The former school building is now “The Ocean Schoolhouse,” a studio shared by creators, and holds regular workshops and markets. As an open studio, it is now drawing attention as a place to connect with the community.

⑤Ryusho-in Temple
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⑤Ryusho-in Temple

This temple appears in the film as the “Yakuji-in Temple” of Shoun and Unkai. For the funeral scene, an actual funeral company participated in the set decoration. The tranquil Seto Inland Sea seen in the distance over the temple’s gate and the historical wooden temple is a sight to see.

⑥Kaizo-ji Temple
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⑥Kaizo-ji Temple

This temple was used for the scene where Yasu and Misako pregnant with Akira visit the grave. This location overlooks the Seto Inland Sea and the view is breathtaking. The Head Priest of the temple participated in the shooting and overseeing the funeral procedures and reciting of the sutras.

⑦Uki-bashi (drum-kan bashi) Bridge
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⑦Uki-bashi (drum-kan bashi) Bridge

Floating bridge (Oil barrel bridge) was used in a scene where Yasu is riding a bicycle with Akira, trying to cheer up Akira, who fought with a friend at the nursery school. This scene was filmed by the camera operator from a rowboat on the water. The view from the bridge is a showa period houses along the riverside.

⑧Tamashima-ku District (In front of Nakaya store)
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⑧Tamashima-ku District (In front of Nakaya store)

In this scene, Yasu is cheerfully singing and driving his compact pickup truck.
Meticulous attention to the details can be seen on the set for this scene, including an old town along the river, Showa period vending machines, the fish displayed on the fishmonger’s counter were the correct fish for the season.

⑨Yobimatsu Gyoko Fishing Port
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⑨Yobimatsu Gyoko Fishing Port

This location appears in the scene where high school student Akira is going home chatting happily with his friend and finds his father watching a close parent and a child with gentle eyes. The melancholic ambience of the port makes Yasu’s bittersweet feelings stand out.

⑩Hachiman Jinjya Shrine
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⑩Hachiman Jinjya Shrine

Akira is brought to the shrine for “Omiyamairi, the new born child to first blessing.” Memorable scene was shot here, father Yasu lifting the baby high up in the air.

⑪Yanahara Fureai Kozan Koen Park
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⑪Yanahara Fureai Kozan Koen Park

Shooting of Yasu’s workplace “Setouchi Transportation” platform and arriving freight train. Paint was applied to the locomotive to match the period of the film. The actual locomotive in motion looked very powerful on film.

⑫Azumayu Bathhouse
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⑫Azumayu Bathhouse

Azumayu appears in the scene where Yasu and Akira are holding a conversation in the bath. It is located at a corner of a residential area. Passing through the entrance curtain, you will be welcomed by the proprietress sitting on the Bandai (door keeper’s stand) that has a retro Showa period ambience. Azumayu has been loved by locals and remains an active facility!

Copyright Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation. All Right Reserved.
Copyright Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation. All Right Reserved.

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