JSB Joint Book & Film Club: In a Grove / Rashomon

Join us for a special collaborative Book & Film Club meeting to celebrate the end of the year! We will be reading Akutagawa's short story "In a Grove" and watching the film adaptation, Rashomon.

"In a Grove," a short story by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, is a compelling exploration of truth and perspective centered around a murder mystery in a secluded grove near Kyoto. The narrative unfolds through the testimonies of seven characters, including a woodcutter, a priest, a notorious thief named Tajomaru, and the wife of the murdered samurai, Takehiro. Each character provides a conflicting account of the events leading to the samurai's death, creating a complex tapestry of perspectives that challenges the notion of objective truth. (Lou Thompson)

A riveting psychological thriller that investigates the nature of truth and the meaning of justice, Rashomon is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. Four people give different accounts of a man’s murder and the rape of his wife, which director Akira Kurosawa presents with striking imagery and an ingenious use of flashbacks. This eloquent masterwork and international sensation revolutionized film language and introduced Japanese cinema—and a commanding new star by the name of Toshiro Mifune—to the Western world. (Janus Films)

Find a copy of the book here and film available to stream online.

Please read the story and watch the film independently ahead of the meeting. Discussion will be in English, but you are welcome to read the book and watch the film in any language. 

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The JSB Book Club and JSB Film Club meet on the last Wednesday of alternating months to discuss great modern Japanese novels and classic and contemporary Japanese films. The purpose of the clubs is to strengthen the community of Japan enthusiasts in the New England area by creating a space for thoughtful and sociable discussion.

The JSB Film Club Website has supplementary materials for past films available to members. See the JSB Member Portal for the code to access the blog!

The clubs are limited to Japan Society of Boston Members. Interested in joining but not yet a Member of the Japan Society of Boston? Consider becoming a Member today!