Onibaba

Set in medieval Japan, Onibaba tells a popular folklore story of three peoples struggle for survival and the tragedy that befalls them after encountering a demon mask. In the mist of a war between two emperors fighting for power, Japan’s countryside is ravaged causing the inhabitants, who can no longer till their fields, to do anything to keep from starving. The story centers on a woman and her daughter-in-law who kill samurai that wonder too far away from battle in order to sell their armor and swords for millet. Dumping the bodies down an ancient dark hole the couple lives a meager and simple existence in a hut located in a thick grassy field that sways with the emotion of the characters. One day a neighbor returns home, having escaped the army that forced him to join; he brings the news of the death of the old woman’s son. Conflict arises as the young girl is drawn to the newly returned neighbor and the old woman and the girl struggle over their sexual desires. The old woman is desperate to keep the young girl with her because despite the jealously and hatred she holds for their neighbor without the girl she cannot kill the lost samurai on her own. However, we come to see that not only snakes live in the grassy field but also sometimes demons wonders through. The mask taken from this dead samurai brings misfortune upon the group leading to their tragic demise.

The lust portrayed in the film represents the basic element of human life as expressed in this simple existence. The director, Kaneto Shindo, chose to use black and white film for this movie, despite color being the standard at the time. He hoped this would further portray the simple elements surrounding the story of the characters lives without offering the many distractions color would. The film is accompanied by an original soundtrack of percussion instruments and an interesting sound effect of cooing doves to enhance the passion shown by the young girl as she runs through the field to make love with her neighbor.