Shinran: Path to Purity (1987)

Shinran: Path to Purity (1987) poster

In the 12th century, Buddhism was still a relatively new religion in Japan. At that time, one school (Shingon) offered extensive training in complex and very demanding practices which might eventually bring about spiritual purification and realization. Various Zen schools offered students a lengthy path, literally composed of a blank wall and unceasing meditation. Yet another school (Tendai) emphasized complex metaphysics and the study of philosophical systems. Basically, all of them were designed to cater to the few who were able to give up everything else in their lives and focus on liberation, such as scholars and noblemen. In this historical and biographical drama, this is the situation that the young Shinran (1173-1263) discovered when he began exploring Buddhism as an alternative to the violence and ceaseless civil wars that racked Japan at the time.

Director: Rentaro Mikuni
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 139 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Yas-Kaz
Production: Kinema Tokyo Company, Nichiei, Shochiku
Country: Japan
Language: 日本語
Original Language: ja

Keywords

buddhism

More Films by Director: Rentaro Mikuni
More Films in Genre: Drama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shinran: Path to Purity about?
In the 12th century, Buddhism was still a relatively new religion in Japan. At that time, one school (Shingon) offered extensive training in complex and very demanding practices which might eventually bring about spiritual purification and realization. Various Zen schools offered students a lengthy path, literally composed of a blank wall and unceasing meditation. Yet another school (Tendai) emphasized complex metaphysics and the study of philosophical systems. Basically, all of them were designed to cater to the few who were able to give up everything else in their lives and focus on liberation, such as scholars and noblemen. In this historical and biographical drama, this is the situation that the young Shinran (1173-1263) discovered when he began exploring Buddhism as an alternative to the violence and ceaseless civil wars that racked Japan at the time.
Who directed Shinran: Path to Purity?
Shinran: Path to Purity was directed by Rentaro Mikuni.
Who stars in Shinran: Path to Purity?
Shinran: Path to Purity stars Junkyu Moriyama, Michiyo Yasuda, Ако, Izumi Hara, Guts Ishimatsu, Hanshiro Iwai.
How long is Shinran: Path to Purity?
Shinran: Path to Purity has a runtime of 2h 19m (139 minutes).
What genre is Shinran: Path to Purity?
Shinran: Path to Purity is a Drama film.
Where was Shinran: Path to Purity produced?
Shinran: Path to Purity was produced in Japan.