Shinran: Path to Purity (1987) [N/A]

Release Date:
June 2, 1987

Original Title:
親鸞 白い道

Alternate Titles:
Shinran: Shiroi michi

Genres:
Drama

Production Companies:
Kinema Tokyo Company Ltd.
Nichiei
Shochiku

Production Countries:
Japan

Ratings / Certifications:
 N/A

Runtime: 139

In the 12th century, Buddhism was still a relatively new religion in Japan. At that time, one school (Shingon) offered extensive training in complex and very demanding practices which might eventually bring about spiritual purification and realization. Various Zen schools offered students a lengthy path, literally composed of a blank wall and unceasing meditation. Yet another school (Tendai) emphasized complex metaphysics and the study of philosophical systems. Basically, all of them were designed to cater to the few who were able to give up everything else in their lives and focus on liberation, such as scholars and noblemen. In this historical and biographical drama, this is the situation that the young Shinran (1173-1263) discovered when he began exploring Buddhism as an alternative to the violence and ceaseless civil wars that racked Japan at the time.

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Cinematography:
Yoshihiro Yamazaki

Director:
Rentaro Mikuni

Original Music Composer:
Yas-Kaz

Screenplay:
Rentaro Mikuni
Den Fujita

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