Using modern scientific biases to strip away the mystery behind ancient legends is an activity not confined to Europe or the Americas. In this Japanese film, the mythological foundations of Japanese society are explained away, albeit poetically. Here, the Sun Goddess responsible for the founding of Japan is seen as conniving woman Himiko (Masao Kusakari), who rules a small portion of the Japanese islands in the third century through her influence over several powerful men. When she is killed for reasons of political expediency, the film zooms back to reveal her mourners as figures in modern-day Japan. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi