Kazuko and Umeko have been friends since college. They are modern businesswomen who have many obligations in life and are not ready for marriage. Their families think differently and strive to arrange their personal happiness.
Direction
Ichikawa's playful framing mocks patriarchy gently
Acting
Wakao and Kyō's crackling chemistry carries everything
Costume
Western suits vs kimono = visual rebellion
Director
Kon Ichikawa
Ayako Wakao
Kazuko Aota
Shin Saburi
Gosuke Aota
Machiko Kyō
Umeko Ichige
Hiroshi Kawaguchi
Kataoka
Eiji Funakoshi
Torao Ichige
Hitomi Nozoe
Michiko Aota
Kenji Sugawara
Watanabe
Kumeko Urabe
Restaurant owner
Jirō Tamiya
Salesman
Mantarō Ushio
Clothing shop owner
Bontarō Miake
Miyamoto
Mayumi Kurata
Office lady
Hikaru Hoshi
Sales manager Ito
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during Japan's postwar economic boom, the film captures women entering corporate life while marriage pressure intensified.
Ichikawa reportedly clashed with studio over the ambiguous ending—he refused to punish the women for independence.
JP
