A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies
Encyclopedia
is a 2007 Japanese film directed by Ryuichi Inomata. It was released in Japanese cinemas on 8 December 2007. It is based on a true story in the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake
.
, being taken in by a family which recently has lost its mother. A year later she herself has three puppies, just in time for a major earthquake which strikes the mountain village where she lives. Although valiant herself in trying to rescue the family‘s grandfather, there is no choice but to leave her behind in the evacuation.
The film follows her adventures as well as those of the two children to whom she belongs during two long and arduous weeks of separation.
struck Niigata and devastated the village, causing almost all of its homes to collapse. During the quake the puppies are jolted away from their mother. Because she is bound by a leash, Mari cannot reach them. Eventually the collar loosens. Mari picks up her puppies, moves them to a safe place, and runs to her ruined house.
. After the earthquake, he is trapped beneath a wardrobe. Mari appears in his room on the second floor, licks him, and checks on her pups before quickly returning to the man’s room. She ran back and forth many times even though her paws had been injured by the shards that lay on the floor. The grandfather was inspired to push at the wardrobe and free himself. He spent two hours climbing down the stairs.
s, on October 25 the villagers were evacuated by helicopter. The grandfather was forced to leave Mari behind. The villagers stayed in temporary housing in a neighboring city. Being in charge of advertising for the village committee, the son was busy so he placed Mari and her pups with another family. While the grandfather was still in hospital, Mari's caretaker took her to visit him.
In April 2005 the grandfather was discharged and began living with his son and Mari in an apartment. Mari's three puppies were adopted.
Mari’s story has frequently been reported in the media and has also made into a book.
2004 Chuetsu earthquake
The occurred at 5:56 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2004 . The Japan Meteorological Agency has named it the Heisei 16 Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake or The Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake of 2004...
.
Plot synopsis
A Tale of Mari and the Three Puppies (Mari to koinu no monogatari) starts with a puppy, Mari, a Shiba InuShiba Inu
The is the smallest of the six original and distinct breeds of dog from Japan.A small, agile dog that copes very well with mountainous terrain, the Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. It is similar in appearance to the Akita, though much smaller in stature...
, being taken in by a family which recently has lost its mother. A year later she herself has three puppies, just in time for a major earthquake which strikes the mountain village where she lives. Although valiant herself in trying to rescue the family‘s grandfather, there is no choice but to leave her behind in the evacuation.
The film follows her adventures as well as those of the two children to whom she belongs during two long and arduous weeks of separation.
Born on the day of an earthquake
On October 23, 2004, a dog named Mari gives birth to three puppies in Yamakoshi. That evening, a severe earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
struck Niigata and devastated the village, causing almost all of its homes to collapse. During the quake the puppies are jolted away from their mother. Because she is bound by a leash, Mari cannot reach them. Eventually the collar loosens. Mari picks up her puppies, moves them to a safe place, and runs to her ruined house.
Courageous rescue
The grandfather of Mari’s family was home alone that day. He lived on the second floor, but suffers from a neurological disorderNeurological disorder
A neurological disorder is a disorder of the body's nervous system. Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord, or in the nerves leading to or from them, can result in symptoms such as paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures,...
. After the earthquake, he is trapped beneath a wardrobe. Mari appears in his room on the second floor, licks him, and checks on her pups before quickly returning to the man’s room. She ran back and forth many times even though her paws had been injured by the shards that lay on the floor. The grandfather was inspired to push at the wardrobe and free himself. He spent two hours climbing down the stairs.
Further ordeals
After the earthquake Yamakoshi was isolated as local roads had been cut off. And with continuous aftershocks increasing the danger of landslideLandslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
s, on October 25 the villagers were evacuated by helicopter. The grandfather was forced to leave Mari behind. The villagers stayed in temporary housing in a neighboring city. Being in charge of advertising for the village committee, the son was busy so he placed Mari and her pups with another family. While the grandfather was still in hospital, Mari's caretaker took her to visit him.
In April 2005 the grandfather was discharged and began living with his son and Mari in an apartment. Mari's three puppies were adopted.
Mari’s story has frequently been reported in the media and has also made into a book.
Cast
- Eiichiro Funakoshi as Yuichi Ishikawa
- Akiko MatsumotoAkiko Matsumotois a Japanese TV personality and actress.-TV:* Dempa Shōnen series * Daisuki! * TV Champion * Tsubasa -External links:* *...
as Saeko Hasegawa - Ryohei Hirota as Ryota Ishikawa
- Mao Sasaki as Aya Ishikawa
- Yu Tokui
- Kenjiro Nashimoto
- Chihoko shigeta
- Yukijiro HotaruYukijirō Hotaru-Filmography:*Sexy Battle Girls *Time Adventure: Zeccho 5-byo Mae *Itoshino Half Moon *Subway Serial Rape: Lover Hunting *Zeiram *Aiyoku Shūdōin: Jukujo, Chijo, Seijo...
- Kazue Tsunogae
- Yoshikazu Ebisu
- Hiroki Miyake
- Masanobu TakashimaMasanobu Takashimais a Japanese film and television actor.-Career:He has appeared in over twenty television productions and ten films in Japan and other countries as well....
- Mao KobayashiMao Kobayashiis a Japanese junior idol. Her books and DVDs sell heavily in Japan according to Amazon.co.jp sales figures. She has also released a CD single as part of the J-pop group Doll's Vox in 2005, and is a member of the idol group momo mint's since 2006.- Photobooks :...
- Takehiko Ono
- Ken Utsui
- Akiko MatsumotoAkiko Matsumotois a Japanese TV personality and actress.-TV:* Dempa Shōnen series * Daisuki! * TV Champion * Tsubasa -External links:* *...