Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive structural analysis of the film "National Treasure" (Kokuho, 2025) directed by Lee Sang-il, employing the PlantUML C4 model as an innovative analytical framework. The study examines the intricate multi-layered human relationships, artistic inheritance systems, and social hierarchical structures within the kabuki world depicted in the film through the four abstraction levels of the C4 model, revealing the intrinsic structure of this cinematic work. The C4 model, originally developed for software architecture visualization, offers significant academic value when applied to film analysis by enabling integrated analysis from macro to micro perspectives, facilitating the visualization of complex narrative structures, establishing reproducible analytical methods, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches. This methodology bridges system engineering concepts with humanities research, providing unique insights particularly suited for analyzing films that reflect contemporary society's systematization and networking. The analysis proceeds through four hierarchical levels examining the film's context within post-war Japanese society, organizational structures of kabuki families and yakuza organizations, relationships among major characters including the adopted son Kikuo performing as onnagata and the legitimate heir Shunsuke performing as tachiyaku under strict master Hanjiro Hanai, and the internal psychological systems of each character. The analysis reveals that the film possesses a multi-layered structure spanning from social contexts to personal emotions, effectively expressing the universal theme of conflict between bloodline and talent. The lengthy narrative employs transformation rituals through makeup scenes and spans fifty years to address generational succession issues. The film's commercial success demonstrates its appeal through exceptional casting, universal themes, visual perfection of kabuki scenes, and positive word-of-mouth effects. This research demonstrates the applicability of the C4 model to film analysis while clarifying the artistic value and social significance of "National Treasure." The findings contribute to establishing objective, reproducible methods in film studies and suggest future directions for comparative analysis with other performing arts films and international reception studies.
Author: Osamu Okumura
Language: English
Topic: Cinema History and Criticism
Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7117261128
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