The Fossil

is a Japanese TV miniseries which screened in eight parts between 31 January and 20 March 1972. It was directed by Masaki Kobayashi and based on a novel by Yasushi Inoue. The series received the same year's Nippon Television Technology Award for photography. A re-edited version was released theatrically in 1975. The theatrical version was Japan's submission to the 47th Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, but was not accepted as a nominee. Plot Tokyo business tycoon Tajihei Kazuki is given a diagnosis of terminal cancer and must now re-assess his life and values. Cast Shin Saburi as Tajihei Kazuki Mayumi Ogawa as Akiko Kazuki Keiko Kishi as Woman (Death) Komaki Kurihara as Kiyoko Kazuki Haruko Sugimura as Mother-in-law Hisashi Igawa as Funazu