This contemplative film on a walk by Kobayashi Issa, famous Japanese haiku poet (1763-1828) will be an opportunity to introduce students to the very particular poetic form of Japanese haikus.
“Issa”, which is also the title of the film, means “a (cup of) tea”.
The “Finding the Haikus” activity draws a parallel between the film and the author’s original haikus. “Questioning the film” initially can consist of listing what Kobayashi Issa encounters during his walk. Specify, before viewing, that all the scenes in the film are subjects often used in these poems.
Understand the story and themes, express your feelings and develop critical thinking.
1What are the elements that we discover during the poet's walk?
A broken roof (21 s), a paintbrush and an inkwell on a table (36 s), a kettle of tea (45 s), a cup of tea in the hands (48 s), the face of the poet (56 s), the red sun (1 min 5 s) which is also the symbol of Japan, cherry blossom branches (1 min 10 s), the landscape composed of the mountain, the cherry tree and the sun (1 min 15 s), birds in the sky (1 min 18 sec), a black cat (1 min 28 sec), fire, smoke and an ant (1 min 37 sec), reeds and a butterfly (1 min 48 sec), a pond (1 min 58 sec), a bee (2 min 07 sec), irises (2 min 14 sec), shiso leaves (2 min 18 sec), a young shoot (2 min 22 sec), a frog (2 min 27 sec s), the wind with the movement of the reeds and the kite (2 min 50 s), the rain (2 min 56 s), a young boy carrying a bag on his head (3 min 1 s), swallows and a spider web, (3 min 07 s), stones on the ground (3 min 11 s), geese and a young woman in a kimono (3 min 22 s), an illusion or the imagination of the poet, the young woman transforms into cherry tree (3 min 33 s), a wooden door (3 min 44 s), a village (3 min 53 s), the house (3 min 55 s), the bedroom (4 min 10 s).
2Among these elements, which are the most symbolic of Japan?
The character's clothing, the young woman in a kimono, the cup of tea, the sun in the middle of the screen in the image of the Japanese flag, the cherry blossoms, the music.
Created with the support of the Ministry of National Education and the CNC.
Watching the film with the family, educational activities with parents at home and with teachers in class.
