A COMPARISON BETWEEN “MAKIOKA SISTERS” AND “TOKYO STORY”

The purpose of this research paper is to compare and contrast “Makioka Sisters”
and “Tokyo Story.” I shall emphasize women, their roles, and overall, the direction, the
society, and also changes which have been taking place. These films, in my opinion, are
rather ‘heady’ films, and I have found both of them particularly intriguing. At the same time,
there also exists common themes, which are both indigenous to the Asian way of life, and as
well, have been seen in the literature of western civilization, i.e. “Romeo & Juliet.” In brief,
the “Makioka Sisters” presents us with a drama centering around the lives of four Japanese
sisters who are heiresses to the family fortune and, hence, must be found proper husbands.
The efforts of the older sisters to “match” the younger siblings are entwined with a gradual
change of role on the part of the elders, and are representative of their own formative years
which are passing away with the advent of World War II. Similarly, and at this point, I
should like to proffer a brief synopsis of “Tokyo Story.” Nothing ...