The Burmese Harp

The Burmese Harp

Year: 1956

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Kon Ichikawa

WarDramaWar and historical adventureMilitary combat and heroic soldiersHistorical battles and epic heroism

In Burma during the closing days of WWII, a Japanese soldier separated from his unit disguises himself as a Buddhist monk to escape imprisonment as a POW.

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Timeline & Setting – The Burmese Harp (1956)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Burmese Harp (1956). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s, World War II

The events take place during the 1940s, in the Burma Campaign of World War II. It traces the buildup of conflict, the moral strain of long deployments, and culminates with the Japanese surrender. The timeline emphasizes the transition from active combat to postwar consequences and remembrance.

Location

Burma (Myanmar), Mudon region, Burmese jungle camps

The story unfolds in the Burmese theater of World War II, focusing on a Japanese unit stationed in villages and jungle camps around Mudon. The landscape is dense with bamboo huts, monsoon rain, and the tension of occupation and retreat. The village and camp settings serve as a stark backdrop for the soldiers' morale battles and the mounting cost of war.

🇲🇲 Burma 🗺️ Jungle terrain ⚔️ World War II conflict

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:35

Main Characters – The Burmese Harp (1956)

Meet the key characters of The Burmese Harp (1956), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mizushima

A private Japanese soldier who becomes the harp player of Captain Inouye’s group, using music to buoy morale. After surviving a brutal fight, he hides his identity to continue his solitary mission of burying fallen soldiers, eventually choosing a monk’s life and the quiet duty of memorializing the dead over returning home.

🎖️ Duty 🌸 Sacrifice 🕊️ Pacifism

Captain Inouye

The unit’s captain, who uses song and laughter to mislead British observers and keep his men calm under pressure. He demonstrates compassionate leadership, recognizes the emotional toll of war, and holds onto hope for Mizushima’s fate, guiding his troops toward surrender at the war’s end.

🧭 Leadership 🌟 Inspiration

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:35

Major Themes – The Burmese Harp (1956)

Explore the central themes of The Burmese Harp (1956), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎶 Music as Morale

Music becomes a lifeline for the troops, turning song into a tool of psychological resilience. The soldiers’ singing masks fear, boosts camaraderie, and momentarily blurs the line between friend and foe. The shared melody, including the famous Home! Sweet Home, underscores humanity amidst war and ultimately helps bridge the gap between opposing sides.

🕊️ Peace and Remembrance

The narrative centers on honoring the dead and choosing a path of remembrance over revenge. Mizushima’s monk-like mission to bury fallen comrades frames peace as active, ongoing work rather than a simple surrender. The film treats remembrance as a quiet form of resistance against the brutality of war.

🌿 Duty and Sacrifice

Duty is portrayed as a complex, morally charged force—binding soldiers to their brothers, even as it tests their humanity. Mizushima’s transformation from harper to grave-bearer embodies sacrifice beyond personal survival. The captain and crew navigate duty, loyalty, and the cost of choosing life for others.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:35

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The Burmese Harp Summary

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The Burmese Harp Summary

The Burmese Harp Timeline

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The Burmese Harp Timeline

More About The Burmese Harp

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The Burmese Harp (1956) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Burmese Harp (1956) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Burmese Harp (1956) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow