Takashi Miike's Sham: A Brutal Courtroom Drama on Japan's 'Murder Teacher' Case
Japanese cinema's master of extremity, Takashi Miike, has turned his attention to the relatively sedate world of the courtroom drama with his latest film, Sham. However, true to form, Miike injects this mainstream genre with his signature shocks and unsubtle tropes, creating a gripping and unsettling cinematic experience.
Based on a Real-Life Media Sensation
The film is rooted in a notorious real-life case from 2003 that captivated Japanese media and public opinion. In the city of Fukuoka, located in south-west Japan, primary school teacher Seiichi Yabushita faced serious allegations. He was accused of racially abusing and physically beating a pupil, driving the child perilously close to suicide. The purported grounds for this abuse were the child's supposed American grandfather, which allegedly tainted his pure Japanese blood.
Yet, a profound question hangs over the case: was the child lying under the instruction of his mother, who might have been the real abuser? Sham draws its narrative from investigative journalist Masumi Fukuda's 2007 book, Fabrication: The Truth About the "Murder Teacher" in Fukuoka, which meticulously examined the controversial trial.
A Two-Sided Narrative in Quasi-Rashomon Style
Mirroring the prosecution and defence cases presented in court, Miike structures the film to show both sides of the story. First, audiences witness the perspective of the boy's mother, Mrs. Himuro, portrayed by Kô Shibasaki. In this version, the teacher, played by Gô Ayano, is depicted as truly sinister and menacing.
However, after the prosecution's version concludes—taking up surprisingly little screen time—the film shifts to present the teacher's own account. It soon becomes apparent that this narrative represents the objective reality. The teacher emerges as a gentle, reasonable man, beloved by his pupils. He is portrayed as someone who wouldn't hurt a fly, with his remarks about the boy's family background shown to be entirely innocent.
The Tragic Consequences of Institutional Fear
The film reveals that the teacher's troubles stemmed from a fateful decision. Persuaded by the school's terrified headteacher, he apologised to the parents in a doomed attempt to make the case disappear. He also confessed to corporal punishment based on one misjudged chastisement following a bullying incident, which was intended to demonstrate how awful violence truly is.
Ultimately, Sham does not sit on the fence. There is no Rashomon-style mystery about where the truth lies. Miike's creative energies seem galvanised by depicting the teacher in his "evil" guise and portraying Mrs. Himuro as a virtual J-horror villain, complete with long straight black hair and a pale, impassive face. This characterisation is not far removed from the avenger Asami in Miike's classic chiller, Audition.
Echoes of Broader Themes and Inspirations
The film powerfully depicts the bullying scenes, the teacher besieged by slanderous rumours, and the school's insincere apologies, all enveloped in an air of ambiguity and mystery. It is noteworthy that the original 2003 case also indirectly inspired Hirokazu Kore-eda's mystery drama Monster from 2023, highlighting the lasting impact of this real-life story on Japanese cinema.
Sham will be screened at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London on 6 February, followed by a tour as part of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme. This film serves as a stark reminder of how fear, institutional pressure, and media sensationalism can distort justice and ruin lives.
