FILM · 1964 · JAPAN
鬼婆
- Directed by
- Kaneto Shindō
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Studio
- Kindai Eiga Kyokai
69 archived facts 7 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
While her son, Kichi, is away at war, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who stray into their swamp, then selling whatever valuables they find. Both are devastated when they learn that Kichi has died, but his wife soon begins an affair with a neighbor who survived the war, Hachi. The mother disapproves and, when she can't steal Hachi for herself, tries to scare her daughter-in-law with a…
69 Interesting Facts About 鬼婆
Interesting Facts (22)
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Historically, the events of Onibaba take place shortly after the Battle of Minatogawa. That battle ignited a 50-year civil war known as the Nanboku-cho period, which lasted from 1336 to 1392. In the film, the character Hachi mentions an attack by General Takauji Ashikaga, who historically would rise to power in the 1330s.
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The film is set at the beginning of the Nanboku-cho period (also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period, 1336-1392). Two rival lines of the Japanese imperial family disputed their claims to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The Northern claimants were puppet rulers under the direct control of the Kamakura and Ashikaga shogunates, while the Southern claimants sought to restore imperial authority over the country.
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At the start of the film, soldiers have fled the battlefield and been ambushed. They are returning from the Battle of Minatogawa (1336). In that historical battle, imperial forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo tried to intercept an invading force led by generals loyal to the Ashikaga clan. The imperial force was surrounded and destroyed by the numerically superior Ashikaga. However, the defeated general Kusunoki Masashige earned posthumous heroic status for the courage he displayed in the face of certain death.
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Production Story (23)
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The film is set immediately after the 1336 Battle of Minatogawa, at the beginning of the Nanboku-chō period. This period was a 50-year civil war, lasting from 1336 to 1392, in which two rival imperial lines fought for the throne. General Ashikaga Takauji, mentioned by the character Hachi, rose to power in the 1330s in history and laid the foundations of the shogunate that controlled the Northern Court. In the film, soldiers fleeing the rout of the forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo, who were surrounded and destroyed by the numerically superior Ashikaga forces, fall into an ambush; General Kusunoki Masashige, defeated in this battle, became a hero for his courage in the face of death.
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Onibaba is part of the jidai-geki genre, meaning 'period drama.' This genre generally deals with Japan's feudal past, samurai and historical events. The film moves away from the genre's typical sword-fight scenes and focuses on the story of ordinary people struggling to survive in the shadow of war.
Behind the Scenes (9)
Easter Eggs & References (1)
Deeper Meaning (8)
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The film is set at the beginning of the Nanboku-cho period (also known as Northern and Southern Courts period, 1336-1392). Two rival lines of the Japanese imperial family were engaged in conflict over their respective claims to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The Northern pretenders were puppet rulers under the direct control of the Kamakura and Ashikaga shogunates, while the Southern claimants were attempting the restoration of imperial authority over the country.
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At the start of the film, the soldiers have fled from the battlefield and walked into an ambush. They are returning from the Battle of Minatogawa (1336). In the historical battle, the Imperial forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo attempted to intercept an invasion force led by generals loyal to the Ashikaga clan. The Imperial force was surrounded and destroyed by the Ashikaga, who were numerically superior. However, the defeated general Kusunoki Masashige posthumously gained heroic status for his display of courage in the face of certain death.
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Historically, the events of Onibaba take place a brief time after the Battle of Minatogawa. This battle sparked a 50 year civil war known as the Nanboku-cho period, and lasted from 1336 to 1392. In the film, the character Hachi speaks of an attack by General Takauji Ashikaga, historically, Ashikaga would come to power in the 1330s.
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The film takes place immediately after the 1336 Battle of Minatogawa, at the beginning of the Nanboku-cho period. This period was a 50-year civil war lasting from 1336 to 1392, in which two rival imperial lineages fought over the throne. General Ashikaga Takauji, mentioned by the character Hachi, rose to power in the 1330s in history and laid the foundations of the shogunate that controlled the Northern Court. In the film, soldiers fleeing the rout of the forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo, who were surrounded and destroyed by the numerically superior Ashikaga forces, fall into an ambush; General Kusunoki Masashige, defeated in this battle, became a hero for his courage in the face of death.
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Onibaba is part of the jidai-geki genre, which means 'period drama.' This genre generally deals with Japan's feudal past, samurai and historical events. The film moves away from the genre's typical sword-fighting scenes and focuses on the story of ordinary people struggling to survive in the shadow of war.
Career & Awards (5)
Life & Family (1)
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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