OSHIN (2013)

OSHIN, Old Japanese Story, Very Touching and Heartbreaking 

Stars   :  Kokone Hamada, Aya Ueto, Goro Inagaki 
Score   :  7.5 / 10
 

I'm still the lucky ones because knew OSHIN. Some generations after me definitely do not know anything about OSHIN. What is OSHIN? OSHIN is a Japanese television series that aired on Indonesian television, TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) in 90s. I've forgotten when exactly aired on TVRI, but certainly, I watched it. I also had OSHIN cassette when I was in elementary school and often played it. My father had bought it for me at that time. Unfortunately, I've actually forgotten the story. I only remember that OSHIN is a heartbreaking story from the land of cherry blossom (in Bahasa: Negeri Sakura), Japan. 

OSHIN tells the story of a little girl struggle, who had to work hard for her poor family. But OSHIN is clever and diligent. In my cassette, told that OSHIN hold a baby while learning in school. She learn and work as a babysitter. OSHIN grew up as a beautiful lady and being old as a successful woman, the owner of supermarket. That was story on television. As far as I remember, the series played by more than one person to represent OSHIN childhood, adult and old age. Here's a little information about OSHIN from Wikipedia :

"Oshin (ja:おしん) is a Japanese serialized morning television drama, which originally aired on NHK from April 4, 1983 to March 31, 1984. The 297 15-minute episodes follow the life of Shin Tanokura (田倉 しん) during the Meiji period up to the early 1980s. In the work, Shin is called Oshin, an archaic Japanese cognomen. 

OSHIN the series
(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshin)

It was one of the country's most watched serials of all time and has aired in 58 other countries, with subtitles ranging from English to Arabic. In 1984, the earlier episodes of the drama (focused on young Oshin) were made into an animated movie by Sanrio. The movie reused Sugako Hashida's scripts, and Ayako Kobayashi, who played young Oshin, did Oshin's voice over.

Background :

Oshin is based on the biography of a Japanese woman, modeled after the mother of Kazuo Wada, a Japanese businessman who created Yaohan, a Japanese supermarket chain. The structure of the story was developed through a collection of anonymous letters assembled by Sugako Hashida (橋田壽賀子 Hashida Sugako, May 10, 1925 – ). "It is the untellable past of a woman of the Meiji period, composed right on her deathbed, "Hashida said. "I felt that the telling of her hardships while serving as an apprentice and being sold at a brothel was an obligation our generation needed to honor. However, the themes were so harsh and dark that the show was rejected by every [Japanese] television network. Even NHK opposed it. Hashida said she was told "We can't confront Meiji issues. "It was settled when then-station director Mikio Kawaguchi (川口幹夫 Kawaguchi Mikio) gave his approval.^[1]"  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshin)

A few weeks ago when I go to the mall, I saw a DVD with kanji, titled OSHIN. I immediately thought of OSHIN the series and without thinking, I bought it. I'm correct, because this is a movie version of OSHIN the series. Just information, this movie did not aired in cinema 21, only aired in Blitzmegaplex, so OSHIN will never aired in Surabaya :(. So, for OSHIN fans, who could not watch it, you can buy the DVD.

In this movie version, the story tells about OSHIN childhood. Is the next sequel will be made? I also do not know. But do not worry; this movie successfully brought me such as back to the 90s, when I was watching the OSHIN series. You surely remember the soundtrack, snowy places and snowflakes, a typical in OSHIN series. All of it also can be found in this movie.

The story begins in Meiji era, 1907, in the winter time. There is a family comprised of grandmother, a husband and wife and their four children. One of them is OSHIN. OSHIN is the eldest daughter in the family. At that time, OSHIN was 7 years old. They live in poverty. They can not eat rice every day, they eat rice only when the big day came. Unfortunately, it is not clearly mentioned what the job of OSHIN father, mother and her brother. It looks like they are farmers who works for the others.

Oshin and her family, living in poverty

Without asking to another family member, the father received a job to OSHIN. He forced OSHIN to work. His wife and OSHIN grandma can not do anything. OSHIN forced accept it to help her family, althought she actually wants to go to school. OSHIN finally went to the city to work for a year. Before leaving, her grandma gave a coin as a gift, while her mother made a warm kimono.  

Oshin went to work for a year

Oshin also worked as a babysitter

OSHIN worked in unfriendly family. She has to get up early in the morning to start working. She helps in the kitchen, sweeping, mopping, washing and caring their baby. Do not expect to eat if the job was not completely finished. When mealtime came, she just get leftover rice that is still stick in crock. She also received rude words and rough acts from them. The climax is when they accuse OSHIN stealing a coin.

Oshin suspected stealing money

OSHIN did not want to be called as a thief, because she did not steal it. She chose to leave the house; though the snow fell heavy in the outside. OSHIN then fell unconscious in the middle of road. Two men, father and son, helped and brought her into their homes. When they would ask OSHIN go back home, OSHIN refused it. She very scared the father would be angry. OSHIN begged to stay with them. They finally allow OSHIN to stay. They love OSHIN and taught her to read, write and play harmonica.

Oshin met her mom

After a few days, they asked again to OSHIN to go home. It looks like they were in serious trouble. They do not want to make OSHIN in a dangerous position. OSHIN forced to go home. One of them accompanied OSHIN on the way home. Inadvertently, they met a group of policemen. The police suspect them and intend to take them to the police station for questioning identity. But the young man refused, he chose to run before police shot and die. OSHIN continue her journey alone to get home. What happens when she arrival at home? Is the father can receive OSHIN?

After so long did not watch a heartbreaking movie, yyaaayyy!! finally, I watched it. OSHIN made me cry. :( For fans of heartbreaking movie, could choose this movie as an alternative, because some of scene and dialogue are very touching. OSHIN also has some good messages for the audience, like the memory of family, patience and hard working. This film also good for kids, but they still need  a guidence from parents, because the content will be invite questions.

Kokone Hamada as OSHIN, successfully caught my attention. She played very well and live up her role. She has a cute face, adorable, funny but also pity. It's supported to play OSHIN. Honestly, I prefer Kokone Hamada than OSHIN cast in the series.