The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones film

Consulate General of Japan in Chicago presents a series of Japanese films in Chicago that illustrates mankind's connection to the natural world. Tonight's free screening: "The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones" (TSURUGIDAKE: TEN NO KI)

“This work is certainly not a film about the mountains: rather, it is a tale of human emotions and feelings and a film about life, set against the background
of the mountains.”

The year is 1907. Shibasaki, renowned for his skills as a surveyor, is suddenly called to General Staff Headquarters, where he receives orders to conquer Mt. Tsurugidake, the last uncharted region of Japan. At the time, the survey unit attached to General Staff Headquarters was in the process of charting Japan and had already created maps after triangulation of numerous mountain peaks. Aside from mountains climbing of which was prohibited for religious reasons, the survey group has climbed almost all the mountains in the country with the exception of Tsurugidake. Moreover, shortly after its inauguration, the Japan Alpine Club was already planning the tackle Tsurugidake and the army survey unit could not be seen to lose out to a civilian organization.

After receiving his orders, Shibasaki tackled the challenge of reaching the peak of Tsurugidake together with Chojiro, a local guide of good character familiar with the Tsurugidake area. Can they achieve the daunting task of crossing the precipitous mountain range and planting the survey records?

Director: Daisaku Kimura
(140min)

Location