TORASAN SERIES

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TORA-SAN SERIES
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Otoko Wa Tsurai Yo Its Hard Being a Man

• 48 films in the series
• Directed by Yamada Yoji
• 1 out of every 2 Japanese attended a film
• More than 100 fan clubs
• Pricipal Character Tora-san played by Atsumi
  Kiyoshi(1928-1996)

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Tora-san

• A persuasive talker and itinerant
  merchant(tekiya) who sold inexpensive merchandise
  at festivals

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Tora-sans Family

• His hometown is Katsushika Shibamata in downtown
  Tokyo
• His uncle, aunt half-sister work in the snack
  shop

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Basic Plotline of Each Film

• Tora-san, during his travels, develops the urge
  to settle down and returns to his hometown, falls
  in love, is disappointed by a pretty,
  unattainable girl, then hits the road

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Atsumi Kiyoshi 1928-1996

• Tora-san played by Atsumi Kiyoshi

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A Symbol of Free Spirit

• Neither well-educated nor ambitious nor patient
  enough to be pinned down into stable employment

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A Cultural Hero

• In society that frowns upon open displays of
  emotions, Tora-san laughs and cries

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