The majority of funerals in Japan include a wake, the cremation of the deceased, a burial in a family grave, and a periodic memorial service. According to 2007 statistics, 99.81% of deceased Japanese are cremated.
A graveyard in Tokyo
Traditional mizuhiki design of the envelope for condolence money
Funeral arrangement, with flower arrangements, a portrait of the deceased, and an ihai, a spirit tablet. For privacy reasons, the name of the dead person, as well as the face on the portrait are censored out via pixellation.
Cremation in Japan, illustration from 1867
Departures is a 2008 Japanese drama film directed by Yōjirō Takita and starring Masahiro Motoki, Ryōko Hirosue, and Tsutomu Yamazaki. The film follows a young man who returns to his hometown after a failed career as a cellist and stumbles across work as a nōkanshi—a traditional Japanese ritual mortician. He is subjected to prejudice from those around him, including from his wife, because of strong social taboos against people who deal with death. Eventually he repairs these interpersonal connections through the beauty and dignity of his work.
Japanese release poster
Ryōko Hirosue, who had formerly worked with Takita, was cast as Mika.
Symbolism has been found in the film's use of cherry blossoms.
The Chicago Sun-Times' critic Roger Ebert gave Departures a perfect four stars.
