The Garden of Women

is a 1954 Japanese drama film written and directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. It is based on the novel by Tomoji Abe. Plot After the opening sequence, documenting the uprise of students at a women's boarding school following the death of one of their fellow students, the preceding events are told in a flashback narration: Among a number of young female students, opposition is growing against the conservative-authoritarian school administration and its strict doctrines. The opposing students are divided into fractions themselves, left-wing like Akiko versus unpolitical like Tomiko, and ones who call for action now versus those who urge not to act prematurely. The latter is a repeated cause for debate between Akiko, an overt socialist of upper-class descent, and Toshiko, who acts as sort of a leading figure and ideologue. Catalyst of the events is student Yoshie, who is behind in her studies, but not allowed to work late at night according to the rules. Yoshie enrolled in the school in an attempt to escape her rigid father, who also rejects her wish to marry her friend Shimoda once both have their degrees. Picked on by teacher Mayumi and suffering from social distancing by the other girls, Yoshie finally commits suicide. While she is mourned by Tomiko and Shimoda, with Tomiko, Akiko and Mayumi blaming each other for her death, the other students block the auditorium under Toshiko's guidance and sing their unofficial student's hymn which the administration had banned. Cast Mieko Takamine — Mayumi Gojō, teacher Hideko Takamine — Yoshie Izushi Keiko Kishi — Tomiko Takioka Yoshiko Kuga — Akiko Hayashino Kazuko Yamamoto — Toshiko Takahiro Tamura — Sankichi Shimoda Masami Taura — Yoshikazu Sagara Chieko Higashiyama — President Kikue Mori — Dean Kuniko Igawa — Yoshie's sister Nobuo Kaneko — Kihei Hirato Yūko Mochizuki — Landlady Chieko Naniwa — Tomiko's aunt