- 14 Mar 2002
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"Kokuho," a film portraying the life of a kabuki actor, has exceeded ¥11 billion in box office earnings, making it the second-highest-grossing domestic live-action film. It is the first Japanese live-action movie to exceed ¥10 billion since "Odoru Daisosasen The Movie 2 Rainbow Bridge o Fusa Seyo!" ("Bayside Shakedown 2") in 2003. The film's success has also renewed interest in the original novel and in the kabuki world more broadly.
Photo credit: Shuichi Yoshida/Asahi Shimbun Publications/2025 Kokuho Film Production Committee
Directed by Lee Sang-il, the story follows a man born into a yakuza family who is later adopted by a distinguished Kamigata kabuki (上方歌舞伎) family, where he trains alongside the family's heir, who is his age. Ryo Yoshizawa, 31, stars in the lead role alongside Ryusei Yokohama, 28, who plays the heir. Both actors trained extensively in kabuki and performed all the dance sequences themselves, adding authenticity to the performances.
By Thursday, the film had reached ¥11 billion in revenue, 77 days after its release on 6 June, with over 7.82 million viewers. Kogyo Tsushinsha, which tracks Japanese box office data, notes that "Kokuho" is only the fourth domestic live-action film to surpass the ¥10 billion mark.
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
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Photo credit: Shuichi Yoshida/Asahi Shimbun Publications/2025 Kokuho Film Production Committee
Directed by Lee Sang-il, the story follows a man born into a yakuza family who is later adopted by a distinguished Kamigata kabuki (上方歌舞伎) family, where he trains alongside the family's heir, who is his age. Ryo Yoshizawa, 31, stars in the lead role alongside Ryusei Yokohama, 28, who plays the heir. Both actors trained extensively in kabuki and performed all the dance sequences themselves, adding authenticity to the performances.
"Kokuho" (国宝, National Treasure) tells the story of a man born into a yakuza family who is later adopted by a distinguished household in Kamigata, the traditional form of kabuki theatre from the Kansai region. Growing up alongside the family's heir, who is the same age, he trains rigorously in the art of kabuki, learning both the performance and the discipline that the tradition demands. The film follows his journey of personal growth, artistic mastery, and the struggles of balancing his past with his new life in the world of kabuki. It's a tale of identity, dedication, and the enduring pull of cultural heritage, told through the lens of Japan's theatrical tradition.
By Thursday, the film had reached ¥11 billion in revenue, 77 days after its release on 6 June, with over 7.82 million viewers. Kogyo Tsushinsha, which tracks Japanese box office data, notes that "Kokuho" is only the fourth domestic live-action film to surpass the ¥10 billion mark.
Kabuki Film ‘Kokuho’ Hits ¥11 Billion at Box Office; Popularity Spreads to Original Novel, Live Shows
<p>“Kokuho,” a film depicting the life of a kabuki actor, has made more than ¥11 billion at the box office, the second highest for a domestic live-action film, according to an announcement by distributor Toho Co.</p>
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
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Kabuki family drama 'Kokuho' cracks anime's lock on Japan box office
Distributor Toho uses anime promotional strategy as model for live-action success
asia.nikkei.com
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