"Sakura Sakura" (Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms) is a biopic about Dr. Jokichi Takamine (1854-1922), the late biochemist known for successfully crystallizing and isolating adrenaline, which is also called epinephrine.Dubbed the father of modern biotechnology, Takamine also produced Takadiastase, a digestive enzyme still used as an ingredient in medicines.He could never have made the groundbreaking achievements without his American wife, Caroline Hitch.The subtitled film, "Samurai Kagakusha Takamine Jokichi no Shogai" (Life of samurai chemist Jokichi Takamine), depicts his life during turbulent times both in Japan and the United States.The story begins at a medical center in today's Kanazawa, capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, when a patient is brought in for emergency care. During the operation, a doctor calls a hemostatic agent "epinephrine."After the surgery, a nurse insists the agent should be properly called "adrenaline."She is Mariko (Sachiko Kokubu), a great-granddaughter of Takamine's younger sister. She is frustrated because she thinks Takamine is not fairly evaluated in Japan.In 1883, Takamine (Masaya Kato) returns to Japan after studying in Britain. Takamine tells his father he wants to be a chemist, not a medical doctor like his father. He explains he wants to save the lives of tens of thousands of people.He visits New Orleans, where the 30-year-old falls in love with an 18-year-old girl named Caroline (Naomi Grace).It is not easy for the couple to enter into an international marriage, especially when more than 100 years ago, they were quite uncommon.They have their ups and downs, but never give up and continue to devote great energy to their work. Takamine was also enthusiastic about establishing friendly relations between Japan and the United States. He was responsible for a gift of 3,000 cherry trees in the U.S. capital, Washington D.C.Veteran actor Kato plays Takamine, while jazz pop singer Grace makes her screen debut as Caroline. Director Toru Ichikawa has directed 68 films and written 22 scripts.Directed by Toru Ichikawa, starring Masaya Kato, Naomi Grace and Sachiko Kokubu; opening March 5 at theaters in Tokyo, Yokohama and Chiba, to be followed by theaters nationwide
「世界は広い！いつか必ずこの海を渡るぞ！」150年前、化学を志す一人の少年がいた。後の世界的化学者となる高峰譲吉である。その後若くして海を渡った彼は、タカヂアスターゼ、アドレナリンといった世界的発明をし、アメリカで成功するも、日本とアメリカの文化の違いに苦労した。彼を支えたのはアメリカ人妻だった。日露戦争下の中、日本とアメリカの二つの国を愛した彼は、心と心で結ばれた絆をつくろうとした。ニューヨークのハドソン川に桜を咲かせたい。彼はそう願った。同じ時期、ワシントンD.C.で、彼と同じ思いを持った女性がいた。旅行家兼文筆家で首府社交界の華であったシドモア女史である。彼女は20代の頃に来日し、横浜で見た満開の桜に魅了され、ポトマック河畔に日本の桜を植樹したいと願っていた。そして、シドモア女史に幸運が訪れる。かねてから親交があった、タフト夫人がファーストレディとなりこの企画に賛同したのである。さらに幸運は続いた。仕事でワシントンに滞在中の高峰博士が二人のもとを訪れ自費での寄贈を申し入れたのである。足掛け25年〜シドモア女史の夢が叶ったのである。
TAKAMINE
