The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum, also known as Zangiku monogatari in Japanese, is a historical drama film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. It was released in 1939.
The film is set in the late 19th century in Tokyo, Japan, during the Meiji period. Kikunosuke Onoue is the adopted son of a famous Kabuki actor, Kikugoro Onoue. Kikunosuke dreams of becoming a great actor like his father, but he soon realizes that he is only praised for his acting because of his family name. He becomes frustrated with the lack of recognition for his talent and decides to leave home.
When Kikunosuke meets Otoku, a lowly servant in his family's home, he finds comfort in their shared love of the theater. Otoku sees Kikunosuke's talent and encourages him to pursue his dreams. They fall in love, despite the class differences that separate them.
Kikunosuke leaves home and joins a traveling theater company. He struggles at first, but with Otoku's support and encouragement, he slowly becomes a better actor. However, their relationship becomes strained when Kikunosuke becomes successful and begins to attract the attention of other women. Otoku, who has always been loyal to Kikunosuke, watches as he becomes more arrogant and selfish.
As Kikunosuke's fame grows, he becomes more and more distant from Otoku. Eventually, he returns home to perform in a new play, but Otoku is not allowed to attend because of her low social status. Devastated, Otoku takes her own life, leaving Kikunosuke to grapple with his own guilt and the realization that he has lost the only woman who truly believed in him.
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum is a powerful examination of love, loss, and social class in early modern Japan. It is widely considered one of Mizoguchi's greatest films and a masterpiece of Japanese cinema.
