Mukoku is a brilliant Kendo movie.

 

It's long overdue that I bring a little attention to another underrated movie. I did it with Shun Oguri's detective thriller, Museum and it instilled a desire to do more within me. The movie I am focusing on today is quite different as it is classified as a martial arts drama. Released in the very same year as Museum, Mukoku was directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, known for his graphic and ultra violent style and starred the great Go Ayano in the lead role. 

Kengo Yatabe is an alcoholic who spends much of his time getting drunk beyond function and fooling around with a girl. He seemingly has no regard for his own wellbeing and just exists in a meaningless emptiness. The truth is that Kengo is a well accomplished kendoka whom won medals under the harsh and at times, abusive tutelage of his father Shogo, whom he both loves and detests. After having been taught Satsujin ken, the murderous sword rather than Katsujin ken, the life giving sword, Kengo one day accidently delivers a brutal blow to his father's head. Shogo is left in a vegetative state and the incident haunts Kengo to the point where he gives up his teaching position. 

Toru Haneda is an aspiring rapper, always writing lyrics whenever he has the opportunity. After having been bullied by a group of seniors, he is introduced to the world of kendo and trains under the tutelage of master Mitsumasa. He is tasked with taking a letter to Kengo's address when Kengo notices the bokuto that Toru carries with him. Later on, Kengo arrives at the dojo where Toru trains and the 2 have a short sparring session where the youth manages to land a hit on the experienced Kengo. This causes Kengo to flip out and he beats up the students. The event also leads to Toru dedicating himself to training in preparation of facing Kengo again. 

I have to mention the fact that Shogo's teachings are rather harsh, with him constantly hitting his son severely harder than he should, to the point where Kengo's psyche is damaged. In Kengo's eyes, he sees Toru's character as a reflection of his father's dark side and this forces him to unleash some serious attacks in their brutal and epic showdown. This leads to him unwittingly becoming the same as his father within the moment. The fight's setting not being in a dojo, but rather the very same place in which he struck the blow that left his father in a vegetative state is symbolic of his distain for kendo and the fact that he refuses a bokuto and instead opts for a shinai, also reveals his desire to best his father. Although he is fighting Toru, he sees Shogo's image and that fuels his wrath. 

Kazuyoshi Kumakiri has proven that he can direct some very entertaining movies, with or without ultra violence involved. He managed to pull some rather great performances out of the talented cast and some of the cinematography is very inspired. There's a neat array of both static and moving shots with some shaky cam thrown in for good measure. One particular thing that I loved is how the scene in which Kengo accidently delivers the brutal blow to Shogo's head, is framed in a way that is mirrored by the showdown between Kengo and Toru towards the climax of the movie. The pouring rain is also symbolic for Toru as he attempts to overcome his past traumas suffered in a flood. 

The fight scenes were also well shot and framed clearly, with every action being easy to follow. Some of the shots in the main showdown are very cinematic and reminiscent of shots from samurai movies, as is the fact that the rain pours on the two combatants. The choreography is very well done, which I was pleasantly surprised by with it feeling like actually watching kendo sparring with the opponents using footwork and measuring distance with their shinai. I particularly enjoyed the big showdown as it was gritty, well choreographed and impactful. I also rather enjoyed Kengo taking down the students in the dojo using not just a shinai, but also his fists, knees, sweeps and throws. 

There's a heavy focus on the performances and rightly so with Go Ayano being utterly captivating as the haunted, tormented soul that is Kengo Yatabe. His versatility as an actor never ceases to amaze and he had made empathising with his plight even when in disagreement with some of the things his character did. He also excelled in the fight scenes and looked rather cool with the long hair, beard combo. I think that it is one of his best performances, which says a lot considering just how good he is.

Nijiro Murakami was also excellent as the aspiring rapper, Toru Haneda. He really did a good job of showcasing Toru's struggles with his past trauma as well as his determination and hot-headedness when it came to facing Kengo. 

Akio Emoto also helped to breathe life into the movie as the kendo master, Mitsumura. He is a character that feels like he truly wants to help both Kengo and Toru and free them from their torment and trauma of the past. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Mukoku and thought that it was exceptional. It took a unique approach to kendo and the martial arts genre, but delivered a compelling narrative and some tremendous fight scenes. I'd heartily recommend it within a heartbeat, especially to those who enjoy kendo, martial arts in general or just plain good movies.