The gift of last memories|Sep. 13, 2008|Japan|130 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama
Description: Daigo Kobayashi, a cellist, loses his job after his orchestra disbands. He and his wife Mika relocate from Tokyo to his hometown in Yamagata, where they settle into his childhood home, inherited after his mother’s passing two years earlier. The house features a coffee shop once run by his father, who abandoned the family when Daigo was six, leaving behind unresolved resentment and guilt. Daigo still holds onto a “stone-letter” given by his father years ago, a sentimental token carrying emotional weight.
Desperate for work, Daigo responds to a vague job advertisement for “assisting departures,” assuming it’s related to travel. During the interview, he discovers the role involves preparing bodies for cremation through a ceremonial process called encoffinment. Despite initial reluctance, Daigo accepts the job, receiving a cash advance from his new employer, Sasaki. He conceals the true nature of his work from Mika, fearing her disapproval.
Daigo’s first assignment involves assisting with the encoffinment of a woman who had passed away at home and remained undiscovered for weeks. The experience leaves him physically and emotionally shaken, and he struggles with the stigma associated with his profession. Over time, however, he grows more comfortable in his role, finding fulfillment in the gratitude of bereaved families.
As Daigo grapples with societal judgment and personal conflicts, including Mika’s discovery of his job and her subsequent departure to her parents’ home, he remains steadfast in his commitment to his work. Despite facing ostracism from former acquaintances and the challenges of his profession, Daigo finds meaning and purpose in honoring the departed.
Cast director: Yojiro Takita
Cast actor: Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Kimiko Yo, Takashi Sasano
Original name: おくりびと