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Kokoyakyu: Chiben Loss

by Kenneth Eng, Director , August 11, 2008 This excerpt from Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball, shows the moments after heavily favored Chiben High School loses in the prefectural tournament.  The excerpt does an excellent job of illustrating the emotions felt not just by the players but by most of the students of the high school, including the cheering section.  The speech by the head of the cheering section can also be used to help illustrate the sempai/kohai (or senior student/junior student) system that is central to Japanese schools. The documentary explores the world of Japanese high school baseball, especially the journey to reach the national tournament at Koshien Stadium in Osaka.  The National High School Baseball Tournament is a huge cultural phenomenon in Japan, drawing tens of thousands of live attendees as well as a television audience in the millions. 

This copyrighted excerpt appears for educational purposes courtesy of Projectile Arts, and was directed by Kenneth Eng. 

Post Chiben Loss

More Clips from Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball

Introduction - Introduction to the important role of high school baseball in Japanese society.  Includes interviews with managers as well as footage from the National Tournament at Koshien Stadium in Osaka.

Heart - Following a player through his morning routine from 4:15AM, this excerpt illustrates the role of baseball in teaching about both developing a strong spirit and leadership skills, as well as including good footage of daily life in urban Japan.

Fighting Spirit - Manager of the Chiben High School team explains the role of baseball in teaching life lessons.

Youth - Explores the motivations for making the commitment to play high school baseball, and includes footage of practice, player interviews, as well as shots inside a players home.

Effort - Illustration of the importance of students who play a supporting role for the baseball team, as well as footage of the selection of members of the team who will participate in the tournament.

Last Player Chosen - Footage of the announcement of the final three players being selected to participate with the Tennoji team to play in the tournament.  Illustrates the importance of being the final player chosen.

Post Chiben Win - Footage immediately following a victory by heavily favored Chiben High School.  Excellent illustration of focusing on areas of weakness following a victory.

Post Tennoji Loss - Follows the underdog Tennoji High School team after their loss in the regional tournament.  Illustrates the bond between the players and the manager, as well as the emotions felt by the players after the loss.

 

External Links

Find more information about this documentary on Point of View on PBS. 

William W. Kelly, Professor of Anthropology & Sumitomo Professor of Japanese Studies at Yale University, offers links to many of his articles analyzing baseball in Japan on his website.