Comedy, Period

Opening

Dreaming of the Meridian Arc

大河への道

Directed by: Kenji Nakanishi
2022 / 112 minutes / Unclassified all ages

The witty historical drama rewriting Japanese history!

In present-day Japan, Katori City’s Chief of General Affairs, Ikemoto (Kiichi Nakai), is assigned by the Head of Tourism (Keiko Kitagawa) to oversee development. In an attempt to attract visitors to the city, Ikemoto decides to sponsor a historical TV drama about Tadataka Inō, the cartographer renowned for being the first to complete a map of Japan in 1821. But during the process of creating the series with the help of his colleague Kinoshita (Kenichi Matsuyama), the pair uncover a startling truth—that the map was not actually made by Tadataka! 

Back in the Edo period, Tadataka dies without seeing the completion of his lengthy enterprise. To honour his vision, Tadataka’s dedicated band of disciples decide to conceal his death and carry out a convoluted secret operation to finish their master’s life’s work.  

Inspired by Shinosuke Tatekawa’s original rakugo story, director Kenji Nakanishi wisely selects a star-studded cast to portray both the past and present in this entertaining comedy, unveiling a surprising truth that’s evaded textbooks.