YUDO
Original Title
湯道
YUDO
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Release : February 2023 Duration : 127min. Genre : Drama ©︎2023 YUDO Film Partners
STAFF
Planned and Written by : Kundo Koyama (Departures) Directed by : Masayuki Suzuki (Masquerade Hotel) CAST
Toma Ikuta ([The Mole Song] series) Gaku Hamada (What to Do with the Dead Kaiju?) Kanna Hashimoto ([KINGDOM] series)
INTRODUCTION
The Japanese spirit is embodied in “the tea ceremony”, “ikebana flower arranging”, “calligraphy” and yes, even “the bath.”
Curative effects of viewing: Laughter and Tears
Steep yourself in a unique form of bathing entertainment!
Kundo Koyama is a Renaissance man of many talents and ideas. Known most
notably as screenwriter for the celebrated 2009 Academy Award winner for Best
Foreign Language Film Departures (’08), Koyama has also penned some of
Japan’s most popular television series and is the father of Kumamoto
Prefecture’s bear mascot “Kumamon”, which launched a nationwide trend by
every prefecture to launch their own local mascots. Now Koyama sets his keen
sights on a unique aspect of Japanese culture - bathing - with an original
screenplay that pays homage to the “way of the bath,” as a worthy art form he
has been advocating since 2015.
The film stars popular actor Toma Ikuta who has amassed a brilliant career
across the television drama, film and stage genres including Japan’s traditional
kabuki. Ikuta poignantly renders the conflicted soul of Shiro Miura, a young man
who reluctantly returns home from the big city when his business flounders. Co-
stars include the immensely talented actor Gaku Hamada as Shiro’s younger
brother Goro, and trending versatile actress Kanna Hashimoto as Izumi
Akiyama, a part-time worker at a public bathhouse run by the two brothers.
The film is directed by ensemble master Masayuki Suzuki who is best known for
directing such hits as the HERO and Masquerade film series.
Next spring, prepare to be steeped in the warm curative waters of a new genre
of “bathing entertainment” sure to purify and refresh both your body and soul!
You’ll laugh, cry and be invigorated!
In 2023, soak in a wellspring of laughter and tears!!
STORY
Architect Shiro Miura (Toma Ikuta) suddenly returns to his country hometown
and the family business he left behind years ago- a public bathhouse called
“Marukin Hot Springs.” Since the recent death of his father, Shiro’s plan as
eldest son is to close down the antiquated bathhouse and replace it with state-
of-the-art condominiums. But he meets with a cold reception from his younger
brother, Goro (Gaku Hamada), who has kept the bathhouse open since their
father’s passing.
One day when a boiler room fire breaks out putting Goro in the hospital, Shiro
has no choice but to spend the next few days as bathhouse manager with the
aid of trusty part-time worker and bathhouse devotee, Izumi (Kanna
Hashimoto). There, he encounters a host of bathhouse-loving customers, from
elderly couples to families and gets a glimpse of the sheer happiness and
democratizing power the place offers.
As he gradually learns the ins and outs of the trade and encounters a host of
lovable people, Shiro finds the constriction inside him begin to melt.