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White Clothing: Harakiri

Name: White Clothing: Harakiri
Director: Akio Fuji
Released: 1990
Duration: 45 min

Representation Score

1.9/10

Minimal

1990

Director

Akio Fuji

Runtime

45 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film 'Harakiri' is a traditionalist historical horror piece that centers on a specific cultural ritual. It uses imagery from World War II to anchor the story in a particular period of Japanese identity. While the film provides a deep dive into Japanese traditions and historical contexts, it does not aim to challenge conventional social structures. Instead, it focuses on the importance of historical and spiritual duties without engaging with diverse identities or modern social issues.

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Category Breakdown

Does White Clothing: Harakiri have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-straight or non-cisgender identities. The story focuses solely on a traditional ritual.

How does White Clothing: Harakiri portray gender?

Fair

A female character performs a ritual suicide that is traditionally associated with women. She plays a significant role in driving the story, but the narrative leans on familiar gender clichés of sacrifice and tragedy.

How racially and ethnically diverse is White Clothing: Harakiri?

Fair

This film is specifically about Japanese culture. It offers a deep look into a particular ethnic context through traditional clothing and historical military footage.

How does White Clothing: Harakiri represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film emphasizes traditional religious practices and rituals. It uses historical imagery to highlight a moment of strong traditionalism and spiritual duty.

Does White Clothing: Harakiri include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about characters with visible or invisible disabilities in this film.

Present on Screen

Offers a deep look into a specific Japanese ethnic and historical context.
Features a female protagonist who plays a significant role in the story.

Limited or Absent

Does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight characters.
Relies on traditional gender clichés instead of challenging gender hierarchies.
Does not address diverse racial identities or multi-layered themes.

Official Synopsis

A black and white preface shows a woman in a traditional kimono climbing the stairs as WWII era Mitsubishi Zeros fly through the sky and footage of the Japanese military of the era is superimposed over the footage. She stops at the top of the stairs to say her prayers, rings a bell, and heads inside where the footage is shot in color. She unravels her kimono and rubs her face with the cloth before wrapping her blade and lovingly touching it. She pulls it across her stomach and slits herself open, falling to the mat. She crawls across the mat, dying, slipping in her own slick blood until she can't move anymore.

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