"Rikyu"
1990
Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara

Drinking tea was once a casual ritual around which social and diplomatic relationships were practiced. In the 16th Century, Sen-no Rikyu refined the art of the tea ceremony to aesthetic and spiritual heights. His revolutionary ideas brought him to the forefront of Japanese politics when war lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi confided in him as Tea Master, and together they sought what to each was most high: for Rikyu it was beauty, for Hideyoshi, power. Teshigahara presents a poignant film exploring the struggle between art and power. Thoughtful performances from Rentaro Mikune, Tsutomu Yamazaki and Yoshiko Mita bring this historical allegory to its full, tragic power. Japanese with English subtitles.  116 minutes.