Description

Madadayo (1993) is a Japanese comedy-drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Tatsuo Matsumura, Kyōko Kagawa and Hisashi Igawa. The narrative follows Professor Hyakken Uchida (Matsumura), a retired academic in post-World War II Tokyo, who maintains a cherished tradition with his former students. Each year on his birthday, they gather to celebrate, asking, Are you ready? to which he replies, Not yet, symbolizing his reluctance to embrace death. This ritual underscores themes of life, aging, and enduring friendships. The film was Kurosawa s final directorial work and was Japan s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 66th Academy Awards.