Nomugi Pass

Nomugi Pass is a 1979 Japanese film directed by Satsuo Yamamoto.

Premise

An indictment of the treatment of Meiji period silkworkers by their employers and the Empire of Japan.

Cast

Shinobu Otake as Mine Masai
Mieko Harada as Yuki Shinoda
Chikako Yūri as Hana Mishima
Yūko Kotegawa as Kiku Shoji
Rentarō Mikuni as Tokichi Adachi
Production

The film was one of the last made by director Satsuo Yamamoto and was followed by a 1982 sequel, his final work, Nomugi Pass II.

Release

A roadshow version of the film was released in Japan on June 9, 1979 where it was distributed by Toho. It received a general release on June 30, 1979. The film was Toho's highest-grossing film of the year and was the second highest grossing among domestic releases.
The film was released in the United States with English subtitles by Toho International on December 28, 1979.

Reception

At the 34th Mainichi Film Awards, Nomugi Pass won for Mainichi [Film Award for Best Film|Best Film], Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Score. At the Japanese Academy Awards, the film won the award for Best Sound, and Best Music Score.