Kokoyakyu: Effort
This excerpt from Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball, shows the role of students supporting the baseball team, including through making origami paper cranes, a symbol of good luck. The excerpt also includes the opening of the selection process, in which the players who will be selected to play in the tournament, are revealed. In addition to teaching about baseball, this excerpt also provides a good introduction to the role and meaning of origami paper cranes and the importance placed on people playing supporting roles, not just players, in Japanese high school baseball. 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.
Kokoyakyu: Effort
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.
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 Loss - Shows the emotions of the favored Chiben High School team following their loss in the Prefectural Tournament. Illustrates the importance of the sempai/kohai (senior classmate to junior classmate) relationship.
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 Prefectural 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.
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