| Miss Oyu | |
|---|---|
 Japanese movie poster | |
| Directed by | Kenji Mizoguchi |
| Screenplay by | Yoshikata Yoda |
| Based on | The Reed Cutter byJun'ichirō Tanizaki |
| Produced by | Masaichi Nagata |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Kazuo Miyagawa |
| Edited by | Mizuzo Miyada |
| Music by | Fumio Hayasaka |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Daiei |
Release date | |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Miss Oyu (お遊さま,Oyū-sama) is a 1951 black-and-white Japanesedrama film directed byKenji Mizoguchi.[1][2][3][4] It is based on the 1932 novellaThe Reed Cutter (Ashikari) byJun'ichirō Tanizaki.
In 19th century Japan, Shinnosuke is visited by Shizu and her sister Oyū to see if Shizu is a suitable marriage prospect for him. Yet, Shinnosuke is more fascinated by the older Oyū. Tradition forbids the widowed Oyū from remarrying as she has to raise her son and future heir of her deceased husband's family. So, Shinnosuke and Shizu marry as a means for him and Oyū be as close as possible. When Oyū learns that Shizu declined to consummate the marriage as a sign of respect for the older sister and the affection between her and Shinnosuke, Oyū scolds her. Also, rumours about the true nature of their relationship start to spread, prompting Oyū to create distance between them. Later, Oyū's son dies, and she has to leave her husband's family, while Shizu dies shortly after giving birth to her and Shinnosuke's child. Shinnosuke, whose family has lost its fortune, leaves his child with the remarried Oyū, and asks her in a letter to raise the child as her own.