Product Description

The Award-winning PBS documentary!

* The only Western film ever to explore the Japanese Way of Baseball

* Experience the baseball culture that produced MLB superstars Ichiro Suzuki, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Hideki Matsui

* NEW! DVD extras include interviews with Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees, Author Robert Whiting, deleted scenes, and more

* An exciting way for your class to learn about Japan!

Taking Western viewers inside a never-before-seen world, Kokoyakyu (High School Baseball)" follows two schools of the 4,000 in Japan striving to make it to the National Championships at Koshien Stadium. Much more just than a game, this martial arts baseball has a deeper purpose: the forging of the spirit. Through the stories of two schools, the film brings audiences inside this closed world where an American game has become a Japanese discipline.

A Tale of Two Schools: Chiben is a private, powerhouse baseball academy led by Japan's most legendary tough-as-nails coach, Takashima. Over 35 years, Takashima has led his teams to Koshien a record 21 times, and won 3 National titles. Through extensive interviews we reveal the mindset of the man many Japanese consider a "living Samurai". His training regimen focuses not on technique, but rather on developing fighting spirit. In blistering heat or driving rain, the team trains at least 8 hours a day, 360 days a year.

The Chiben Cheer Squad is legendary throughout Japan, and their senior leader, Furukawa, explains why they too must train so hard. Whenever Chiben plays a game, they bring the cheer squad, the brass band, cheerleaders, and most of the student body (one thousand strong). Chiben enters the Wakayama tournament as defending champions and coasts through their first few games. But in the world of high school baseball, there are no "sure things".

Tennoji is one of the top public schools in Osaka, and students must pass a rigorous exam to get in. Their baseball coach, Masa-sensei , explains how high school baseball will train his students' hearts for life outside baseball. All the same, everybody dreams of Koshien. With such an intense focus on academics, baseball is squeezed into the early morning or late afternoon. Nevertheless, they practice year-round, six days a week -- before and after school hours -- as well as during vacations, with financial support from their alumni."

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

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Product Details

Publisher	CustomFlix
EAN	0883629050522
Region Code	0
Format	DVD NTSC
UPC	883629050522
Label	CustomFlix
Studio	CustomFlix
Title	Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball
Release Date	2006-07-13
Manufacturer	CustomFlix

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Customer Reviews

For the Passionate HS Baseball Fan

Review by rjd1959, 2010-06-24

If the love of baseball runs through your blood and you want to see a broader view on how the game viewed in a different part of the world you would enjoy this movie. It is true that the subtitles can be cumbersome, but if you can get past that then I would recommend this movie. I believe that part of the reason that we Americans love baseball is that it embodies many virtues that we carry with us in our lives. As culture has changed so has the way we have viewed the game. Some of it for the better.....some of it for the worse. In any case, the virtues of hard work, team work, persistence, overcoming adversity and other virtues are still on full display in the great game of baseball. This movie shows the Japanese culture's respect for these virtuous lesson's through the mundane way they prepare for an all important Country Wide High School Baseball Tournament. Players getting up at predawn hours to get to practice is just one small example. The various conversations and interviews with the players and the coaches shows a pure love of the game and the high drama that ensues when a young man is faced with the conclusion of his High School Baseball career. The player and coach reflections as the end the end draws near are poignant and nice moments. My favorite moment in the film is when one coach announces the roster for his team for the tournament and selects the last player on the roster....the player has nominal skill but a great work ethic. The praise from the coach and the sincere reaction from the player were the highlights of the movie for me. This movie is not for everyone...but if you love the game...you would enjoy adding this movie to your collection.

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This is what Japan is all about

Review by Ainji, 2007-08-29

If you want to understand Japan and the Japanese people, watch this DVD. It will teach you how a Japanese mind works a lot better than any lengthy book written by scholars on Japanese culture; moreover, it will do so a lot more enjoyably.

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saw part of it on public TV

Review by high alt, 2007-03-21

I saw the last half of this on TV last summer, I thought it was really interesting how they used baseball to relate the culture of America to Japan. Really, it was just a story about high school baseball in Japan, but in their dedication and hard work you can see the values that define the Japanese culture. It was dramatic and emotionally moving in parts, and that was one thing I really liked about it. It sends a heartfelt message to the viewer and that is what made me want to buy it to see the whole film.

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Impact of the Game

Review by B. Cherry, 2007-03-11

A revealing peek into Japanese High School ball. The importance of the National Tournament there is more like hoop "March Madness" here. Their passion for the game is a marvel, as is the dedication and work ethic of the kids and coaches. After watching this film, it is no small wonder Japan won the 1st World Baseball Classic. Could have been edited with more drama from some of the games, but a nice film capturing the passion for the Tournament and its impact on all involved.

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Great Insight into the Heart of Baseball in Japan

Review by Hondo, 2007-01-05

I loved the way the movie followed the passion of the 2 very different teams, and how they each dealt with elimination in very different ways. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to gain new insights into the heart of baseball in Japan. High school baseball is not life or death in Japan -- it is bigger than that. Well done!

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