About Onibaba

Onibaba is a chilling 1964 Japanese film directed by Kaneto Shindo. The film, set in 14th century Japan during a civil war, tells the story of two women who kill soldiers to steal their belongings and sell them for food. Drama intensifies when a neighbor, a soldier, comes back from the war and exposes a dark secret kept by the women. A highlight of the film is the use of Noh masks to depict the older woman's transformation into a demon - reflecting the title "Onibaba", meaning "Demon Woman" in Japanese.

Making / Production

Onibaba was produced by Kindai Eiga Kyokai, directed by Kaneto Shindo, and shot in black and white. Due to budget limitations, Shindo had to overcome various challenges during production, including filming in a desolate, swamp-like field of reeds. This adverse environment later became one of the film's most distinctive elements, adding to its eerie atmosphere. Shindo's use of minimalistic music and jump scares has caused Onibaba to be considered a horror film, despite his intent to underline the horrors of war.

Actors

• Nobuko Otowa as Older Woman: Nobuko Otowa, the then-wife and muse of director Kaneto Shindo, portrayed the older woman. Her performance was characterized by escalating desperation and paranoia, escalating to a terrifying climax.
• Jitsuko Yoshimura as Young Woman: Jitsuko Yoshimura's performance as the young woman involved a beautiful yet complex portrait of a woman driven by both love and survival.
• Kei Sato as Hachi: Kei Sato expertly played Hachi, the returning neighbor, managing to be both charming and menacing as his character discloses the film's significant secret.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Kaneto Shindo was inspired by a Shin Buddhist parable when creating Onibaba. He reversed the original message of the parable, highlighting the harm caused by human greed and the horrors of war.
• Despite the austere filming conditions, no crewmember fell ill during the production, thanks to the nutritious meals provided by Shindo's wife.
• The film's original score was composed by Hikaru Hayashi, often using traditional Japanese instruments for a haunting effect.

Awards

Onibaba received international success and recognition, including the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Director (Kaneto Shindo) in 1965. It is also widely regarded as a masterpiece of Japanese cinema.

Quotes

• "Even in hell, a woman is a woman."
• "Such a pretty face. A pity."
• "Don't forget, every time you kill, you drink the blood of a man."

Music and Soundtracks

• "Onibaba Main Theme" - Composed by Hikaru Hayashi, the haunting melody perfectly sets the tone for this chilling narrative.
• "The Mask" - The suspense and eerie energy are palpable in Hayashi's musical representation of the cursed Noh*mask.