Lanterns on Blue Waters

Lanterns on Blue Waters (波の盆) is a 1983 Japanese television film. Akio Jissoji was the director.

Nippon Television produced the film.

Story
It is about a Japanese American in Hawaii, Kosaku Yamanami, who recalls his life during historical events. A family get-together takes place in the present day as he recalls his past.

Production
Filming took place in Lahaina, Hawaii, in the summer of 1983. 300 extras who were Japanese Americans were used to film a scene at a temple.

Music
Tōru Takemitsu did the musical theme. Kyōko Koizumi, author of "Tōru Takemitsu's Seigenki (Time within Memory) An Anti-Experimental, Tonal Film Score," stated that fans "loved" this theme, and Takemitsu's friend Tanikawa stated that the best musical score Takemitsu made was the one for this film; Takemitsu disliked his friend's statement.

Cast

 * Kosaku Yamanami (山波 公作 Yamanami Kōsaku) - Chishū Ryū
 * Misa (ミサ) - Eri Ishida

Release
The film was aired in Hawaii on Nippon Golden Network (NGN). The English subtitles were done by James Araki, the chairperson of the University of Hawaii at Manoa East Asian Language and Literature Department.

Reception
In 1983, the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture ranked Lanterns on Blue Waters as the best television drama.