Ito Soma (Ren Komai), a high school student in Aomori Prefecture, has a remarkable talent for playing the Tsugaru shamisen – a three-string instrument originating in Ito’s home prefecture. She picked up the skill from her late mother who was an accomplished shamisen player. However, Ito’s extreme shyness makes it hard for her to play in public, and together with her strong dialect, she struggles to find human connection in her social life. To change this, she decides to start a part-time job at a maid café, much to the concern of her father (Etsushi Toyokawa).
Based on the novel by Osamu Koshigaya, this charming coming-of-age film is set in the northern landscapes of Japan. Director Satoko Yokohama, who grew up in Aomori prefecture, skillfully mixes hidden gems of the local area and its heritage with a charming human drama. Enjoy the sound of the shamisen and the unique dialect spoken by the people of Aomori.
You can find the programme notes from The Japan Foundation here.