Ornamental Hairpin is currently streaming on The Criterion Channel

Ornamental Hairpin (1941)75 minComedy, DramaRating 63/100

Two bruised souls enact a tender, hesitant romance in Hiroshi Shimizu's alternately poignant and playful wartime love story. A soldier (Chishu Ryu) is forced to prolong his stay at a rural spa when he accidentally cuts his foot on the titular object. Soon enough he tracks down its lovely owner (Kinuyo Tanaka) and finds himself smitten.

Cast: Kinuyo Tanaka, Hiroko Kawasaki, Tatsuo Saitō, Chishū Ryū, Shinichi Himori, Hideko Mimura, Kanji Kawara

Director: Hiroshi Shimizu