“Only Yesterday,” released in 1991 by Studio Ghibli, is a film that evokes childhood memories and nostalgia for the countryside among Japanese people. Its depiction of the contrast between urban and rural life brings deep empathy and serves as a chance to reflect on life choices.
What Is the Film “Only Yesterday”?
The protagonist is Taeko, a 27-year-old single woman. Living in Tokyo, she takes her summer vacation to travel to Yamagata Prefecture to help with farm work. The film alternates between her present life and memories of her fifth-grade self, allowing the audience to follow her emotional growth and inner struggles.
The film faithfully reconstructs life in Japan during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including school lunches, family conversations, and the awkwardness of first love. Because of this realism, many Japanese viewers strongly identify with the story.
Basic Information about the Film
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1991 |
| Director | Isao Takahata |
| Studio | Studio Ghibli |
| Protagonist | Taeko, a 27-year-old office worker |
| Theme | Contrast between city and countryside, memories of childhood |
Nostalgia and Empathy Felt by Japanese People
Most Japanese viewers describe the film in one word: “nostalgic.” The detailed depiction of elementary school life in the 1960s immediately resonates with those who lived during that era.
The curry rice and canned fruit served in school lunches, the atmosphere of classrooms, and conversations at home overlap with personal memories. Taeko’s childhood experiences are not extraordinary, but precisely because they are everyday moments shared by many Japanese people, they deeply touch the audience.
The contrast between urban convenience and rural simplicity is also central to the film. For Japanese people, this remains a timeless question: whether to pursue career and modernity in the city, or seek peace and fulfillment in the countryside.
Examples of Nostalgic Depictions
| Depiction | What Japanese Feel |
|---|---|
| School lunches | Childhood memories revived |
| Family conversations | Reminds them of relations with parents |
| First love | Rekindles bittersweet adolescent emotions |
| Countryside experiences | Nostalgia for Japan’s fading rural scenery |
Japanese Values Reflected in Their Impressions
Japanese reactions to the film reveal distinctive cultural values.
Japanese Impressions and Values
| Type of Impression | Content | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Nostalgia | Strong identification with school and family life | Many lived through the Showa era |
| Empathy | Viewers relate to Taeko’s inner conflict | Japan’s duality of city and countryside remains relevant |
| Comfort | Calmness and warmth of rural life | Deep-rooted Japanese longing for nature and fields |
| Realization | Encourages reflection on life choices | Growth of values that prioritize individuality |
Thus, “Only Yesterday” is not simply a story but a film that prompts people to rethink their lives.
Different Generations, Different Impressions
How viewers perceive the film varies significantly across generations.
Generational Impressions
| Generation | Impressions |
|---|---|
| Showa Generation | Feels strong nostalgia; depictions overlap directly with their childhood |
| Heisei Generation | Sees it as a window into parents’ or grandparents’ era; feels fresh and educational |
| Modern Youth | Finds the slow pace and analog lifestyle refreshing in contrast to the digital era |
This generational diversity of interpretation is one reason why the film has remained beloved for decades.
Perspectives Japanese People Want Foreigners to Understand
For foreigners, it is important to know that Japanese people regard the countryside not just as a region, but as a “spiritual homeland.” Cities provide convenience, but rural areas embody natural beauty and human warmth. The film contrasts these two lifestyles, encouraging reflection on what happiness truly means.
Japanese people also value the small, ordinary moments of life over dramatic events. Viewers empathize with Taeko because the film conveys the idea that “life is built upon small accumulations.”
Points for Foreigners to Note
| Perspective | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Meaning of countryside | Not just rural land but a symbol of one’s roots |
| Quiet storytelling | No flashy drama, but quietly moving |
| Japanese sensibility | Finding meaning in small, everyday moments |
| Cultural background | Harmony with nature and respect for family ties |
Conclusion
For Japanese people, “Only Yesterday” is not merely an animated film but a chance to reflect on their own past and reconsider life. It stirs feelings of nostalgia, empathy, comfort, and prompts the question: “What does it mean to live true to oneself?”
When foreigners watch this film, paying attention to the Japanese attachment to rural life and quiet reflection will enrich their understanding. Among Studio Ghibli works, it is especially introspective and oriented toward adults, making it an invaluable cultural resource for learning about Japanese values.
