2. Karihara, Don. "Kabuki, Cinema, and Mizoguchi Kenji" from Cinema and Language (Frederick, MD: University Publications of America, 1983) 97-106.

This work analyses the styles and techniques of kabuki theater and Japanese cinema as they appear in the film, The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums. Sources other than the film by Mizogchi include works by F. Bowers, E. Ernst, J.R. Brandon, and D.H. Shively. This article is probably written by an academic or fan of film and is part of a collection of works titled, Cinema and language. This work seems to be intended more for the general public, as the author tends to explain much of the terminology that he uses and introduces kabuki briefly in the beginning of the article to set the stage for his discussion. As a result, the work demands little background knowledge.

This article has many positive qualities. Its discussion of Kabuki contains quite a bit of useful information, especially in regards to the complex role of the kabuki actor. The analysis of the segments of kabuki in the film are also quite thorough and informative. Karihara systematically addresses each of the three theater scenes in the film and comments on the techniques used by Mizoguchi. The shortcoming in my mind was how little he discussed the style of Mizoguchi in comparison to Hollywood filmmakers. This work does not provide a great deal of information on exactly what made Mizoguchi so unique.

- Brad Alexander