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GO SPOTTING: Yojiro Takita’s New Film

Yojiro Takita’s next film has an interesting historical connection to the game of go.

Takita (r) – who won an Oscar in 2009 for Okuribito (Departures) – is adapting the novel 'Tenchi Meisastsu,' about a 17th century astronomer and mathematician. The film is an adaptation of To Ubukata’s novel of the same name, based on the life of Shibukawa, who later took on the name of his father, champion go player Yasui Santetsu, first head of the Yasui house. The novel has won literary awards in Japan on its way to selling 380,000 copies. It was published by Kadokawa, which is collaborating with Shochiku on the movie. Tenchi Meisastsu -- which roughly translates as "insights into the universe" -- is being shot at Shochiku’s Kyoto studio until the middle of August, and is slated for an autumn 2012 release. - based on Gavin J. Blair’s story in The Hollywood Reporter, with thanks to Ramon Mercado for spotting the reference.