Issa

Film commentary : Issa

This contemplative film about a walk by the famous Japanese haiku poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) will be an opportunity to introduce students to the very special poetic form of Japanese haiku.
"Issa", which is also the title of the film, means "a (cup of) tea".

The activity "Looking for haiku" draws a parallel between the film and the author's original haiku. "Questioning the film" can start by listing what Kobayashi Issa encounters on his walk. Before viewing, point out that all the scenes in the film are subjects often used in these poems.

Questioning the film: Issa

Understand the story, the theme, express your sensibility and exercise your critical thinking skills.

What are the elements that we discover during the poet's walk?
A broken roof (21 sec), a brush and inkwell on a table (36 sec), a tea kettle (45 sec), a cup of tea in his hands (48 sec), the poet's face (56 sec), the red sun (1 min 5 sec), which is also the symbol of Japan, cherry blossom branches (1 min 10 sec), the landscape with the mountain, cherry tree and sun (1:15), birds in the sky (1:18), a black cat (1:28), fire, smoke and an ant (1:37), reeds and a butterfly (1:48), a pond (1:58), a bee (2:07), irises (2:14), shiso leaves (2:18), a young shoot (2:22), a frog (2:27), wind with the movement of reeds and a kite (2:50), rain (2:56), a young boy carrying a bag on his head (3:1), swallows and a spider's web (3:07), stones on the ground (3:11), geese and a young woman in a kimono (3:22), an illusion or the poet's imagination, the young woman turns into a cherry tree (3:33), a wooden door (3:44), a village (3:53), the house (3:55), the room (4:10).

Which of these elements are the most symbolic of Japan?
The character's clothing, the young woman in a kimono, the cup of tea, the sun in the middle of the screen like the Japanese flag, the cherry trees in bloom, the music.

Download PDF of the film's educational activities

Created with the support of the Ministry of Education and the CNC.
Family viewing of the film, educational activities with parents at home and with teachers in class.
In search of haikus (French) (Cycle 2 and 3)
Educational activities proposed by Christophe Defaye based on the film Issa.

Discover other educational sheets created with the support of the French Ministry of Education and the CNC...