Essay Questions

Why is the film titled “Double Suicide”?

The idea of double suicide, in Japanese shinjū, has a deep-rooted meaning in Japanese history. It is self-explanatory from the name and the plot of the film also shows the meaning behind. Throughout history, it was believed that lovers committing a double suicide would reunite and be happy in the afterlife. The meaning is also rooted in Buddhism. Lovers who aren’t able to be together in this life, usually because of societal, marital obligations, find their escape in shinjū. The term is also closely connected to the Japanese puppet theater, as shown in the film.

How does the film portray women?

The film is interesting in its portrayal of women of the time shown, and it can be interpreted to criticize the view of them. It shows two completely opposite women, one being a courtesan, and the other a wife. Solely based on their roles in the society, one would assume that the wife is happier with her life than the courtesan, but the film shows otherwise. Osan, the wife, is just as unhappy, or even more than Koharu, the courtesan. She has to show composure and happiness to the outside world, but the reality is different. She also suffers a tragic ending, having her family and her children taken away from her. Koharu is similar in the way that she also has to show happiness on the outside due to the nature of her occupation, but is miserable because she is not allowed to fall in love like any other woman.

What does the opening scene of the film tell us?

The opening scene shows footage of preparation for Japanese traditional puppet stage play, with kuroko-the men dressed in black preparing the puppets. Along with the footage, there is a recording of the director discussing the film, the graveyard scene in particular, and wanting that scene to have a strong impact with the suicide scene following. This scene represents a postmodern idea and adds the element of metafiction to the film. The audience is supposed to be aware of the fictionality of the film right from the start, and watch the film for its message rather than criticize it for its structure. This is even more strongly enforced with the footage of the puppets and kuroko. Characters in the film are meant to be seen as puppets which serve a purpose to the film’s message.