great man

What is the legendary silent film "Rain no Sato"? We look into the true nature of the lost local film produced in 192014.

During the Taisho period, when Japanese films were still silent, film production was carried out all over the country, and mobile screenings and educational films were actively being held in regional cities. One film produced in this historical context Reimei no Sato .

The film currently has no film or script left, and is treated as "Lost Film." However, in recent years, research activities by researchers and local citizens have gradually become clear.

Production year and director: Uchida Tomu's work in 1924

"The Land of Dawn" is a silent film produced in 1925 (Taisho 14), and is said to be Uchida Tomu Director Uchida was highly praised after the war for the Miyamoto Musashi series and the Earth, and is an important figure in the history of Japanese cinema. This is thought to be a work from his early career.

may have been produced as part of a social education film promoted by the Ministry of Education and local governments at the time

The setting is Yonekawa area, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture

Yonekawa

The story takes place the Yonekawa area of ​​Higashiwa-cho, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture . There is a spiritual spring called Reiming Well in this area

"Raining Village" is said to have been produced based on a true story that is passed down in the same area, and the character was modeled after a Shudo Kiyoki .

Synopsis: The story of a young teacher living in faith and education

Below, we will introduce the plot in detail based on local traditions and descriptions of the book Kaimeizaka.

Young teacher falls ill and loses vision

Dawn's Place

The main character of the story is Shuto Kiyoki, a young teacher working at a local extraordinary elementary school. He was a serious, honest, ideal educator who was genuinely concerned about the future of his children. However, one day, he becomes ill and suffers from an eye disease, causing him to lose his vision rapidly.

Even after receiving treatment, there is no chance of recovery, and doctors say that it is difficult to continue as a teacher. Loss of vision was a fatal situation for teachers at the time, and it seems that people around them were encouraged to quit.

Still standing at the podium

Dawn's Place

However, Professor Shuto continues to teach, believing that even if he is blind, "I can tell the children." I memorised all the contents of the textbook, learned the position of the blackboard with my body, and gave the lessons with assistance.

Not only children were impressed by this attitude, but also parents and local adults. Professor Shuto's actions became a person who asked the whole community about "what is true education?"

Recommendations from the villagers and "Reimei Well"

Dawn's Place

Eventually, older people in the area will tell you that there are sacred springs that have been known to be good for your eyes since ancient times. That was Reimei Well

This water is a sacred spring that has long been believed to be "effective against eye diseases," and Professor Shuto begins to visit with his students every day. On the day of Mangu, where he went for a few days, after a break from a cigarette, Professor Shuto tried to smoke, but his clogs were distorted and fell off a cliff.

However, at this time, a miracle arises for Professor Shuto.

Miraculous recovery and a new dawn

Dawn's Place

Perhaps due to the impact of falling off the cliff, the light gradually returns to your vision. It is reported that there was a faint sign of light at first, then a vague outline, and a few months later his eyesight has improved to the point of reading.

This event spread throughout the village and became known as a "miracle." His revival has also become a symbol of hope for the children, and has brought great excitement to the entire region.

This story is a true story, and Professor Shuto renewed his education, worked on education for the blind school and ended his life in 1991.

Current Situation: The Destiny as a Lost Film

Unfortunately, all screening films, scripts, cast information, posters, etc. remain undiscovered. It is not stored in the National Film Archives, and its existence as a video material has not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, local newspapers and educational magazines at the time featured some mentions of films, and it is likely that the film was broadcasted This is extremely valuable as proof that there was a local video culture that was transmitted to the region.

Community research activities and memory inheritance

In recent years, the Yonekawa area of ​​Tome City, where films are set, has once again become more active in excavating records of lost films. Local residents and library staff take the lead in interviews with old old newspapers, interviews with school officials, and more.

Fieldwork was also conducted to visit wells and former school sites, and "Raining Village" is re-evaluated as a "rememory of the local community" rather than just a film from the past.

Conclusion: Why do we shed light on the Dawn Village?

Even if the footage of "Rainbow Township" is a valuable cultural heritage in itself. It is thought that themes such as faith, education, and local ties were portrayed, and it still gives us many suggestions.

It is also a great example of the diversity of Japanese film history in terms of films produced in the region rather than in the central region.

If it is discovered in a film or part of a script in the future, it will have great significance not only for film history, but also for local history and educational history. "The Land of Dawn" is a work that still lives quietly in the hearts of people.

Reimeisui of Wakakusa Inari <Information>

  • Name: Wakakusa Inari Shrine
  • Address: 3 Yonekawa Nishitsunagi, Higashiwa-cho, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture, 987-0901
  • Phone number: 0220-45-2528
  • Official URL: Wakakusa Inari Shrine Official Website

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