samurai
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Chūshingura: Hana no Maki, Yuki no Maki (Chūshingura: Story of Flower, Story of Snow) (1962)
Directed by Hiroshi Inagaki The end of the year approaches, and with it all the usual holiday stress. Escape with me now to 18th century Japan, a world of grace and beauty, honor and courage. This is the world of… Continue reading
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Yūrei-sen: Zenpen (Ghost Ship) (1957); Yūrei-sen: Kōhen (Ghost Ship Part 2) (1957)
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda A two-part action/adventure tale with fantasy overtones and faint echoes of the Disney classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: the eponymous ship attacks other vessels and vanishes, retreating to a secret island base which blows up… Continue reading
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Akahige (Red Beard) (1965); Yoi-dore Musoken (Drunken Sword) (1962)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa / Directed by Tadashi Sawashima Both of the films that are the subject of today’s review feature an unorthodox middle-aged doctor and his arrogant young disciple who clash when the younger man joins the older man’s… Continue reading
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Gorotsuki-bune (Ship of Outlaws) (1950)
Directed by Kazuo Mori I discovered this action-packed gem from Daiei hidden in the depths of YouTube. The YouTube copy has no English subtitles and is a low-resolution transfer of a poor quality print. You know it’s a good movie… Continue reading
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Tange Sazen Yowa: Hyakuman Ryō no Tsubo (Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryō) (1935)
Directed by Sadao Yamanaka I’m delighted to say that today’s film has no shortage of reviews online. Unlike my blog’s usual fare, it’s a comedy. I tend to avoid reviewing comedies from other countries because appreciating humor typically requires a… Continue reading
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Hangyakuji (Conspirator) (1961)
Directed by Daisuke Itō A bleak historical drama about a young nobleman caught in the middle of a dynastic power struggle, Hangyakuji is stunning to look at, gorgeously shot in Eastmancolor by cinematographer Makoto Tsuboi and features strong performances across… Continue reading
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Jūsan-nin no shikaku (13 Assassins) (1963)
Directed by Eiichi Kudo To my astonishment 13 Assassins currently has four reviews on IMDb. I’m sorry but that’s just wrong. A classic movie deserves better than four paltry reviews. One of the purposes of my blog is to introduce… Continue reading
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Teki wa Honnō-ji ni ari (Honnō-ji in Flames / The Enemy is at Honnō-ji) (1960)
Directed by Tatsuo Ōsone This should be all the incentive you need to watch Teki wa Honnō-ji ni ari immediately: That is the great Kabuki actor Matsumoto Kōshirō VIII. I’ve mentioned him before, and will no doubt be mentioning him… Continue reading
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Tenpō Rokkasen – Jigoku no Hanamichi (Passage to Hell / Runway to Hell) (1960)
Directed by Masahiro Makino In a departure from his upright samurai detective character the Bored Hatamoto, Utaemon Ichikawa is on the wrong side of the law this time around. I’m not sure which crimes he’s supposed to be guilty of.… Continue reading
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Real Men Wear Eyeliner
A casual viewer of Japanese period dramas might wonder what to make of some scenes. The men wear makeup, and they are sometimes depicted weeping openly. What’s going on? Let’s deal with the makeup first. This doesn’t faze me because… Continue reading
Ukiyo-e Owl 