A few weeks ago I watched Hiroshi Inagaki’s The Rickshaw Man (1958) for the first time. One of the many aspects of that film that I fell in love with was the score by composter Ikuma Dan. It’s sentimental in all the best ways and will gently sweep you up into the emotional narrative.
After a bit of searching, I was able to locate this compilation of the The Rickshaw Man movie soundtrack performed by the Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra. It’s the only music from the film I could find streaming online.
I’m far from an authority on Ikuma Dan, but even a brief look at his career makes it clear he was a musical legend. Seven operas, six symphonies, and twelve feature films scores, just to name a few accomplishments under his belt.
If you’ve never seen The Rickshaw Man, I can’t recommend it enough. Hideko Takamine and Toshirô Mifune really shine in this film. It’s a bittersweet story that wears it’s heart on its sleeve. Look for it on Criterion Channel.
Cinematic Point Of View 
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