samurai
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Dai-bosatsu tōge (Great Bodhisattva Pass) Part 1 (1957)
Directed by Tomu Uchida It is 1858. The twilight of the shogunate. In a few years the feudal world would be gone forever. In the countryside, life continues to go on virtually unchanged as it has done for centuries. We… Continue reading
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Dai-bosatsu tōge (Great Bodhisattva Pass) (1957 – 1959)
Directed by Tomu Uchida Introduction A bodhisattva is a compassionate awakened being who helps others achieve enlightenment. Such beings are in short supply in Dai-bosatsu tōge, Tomu Uchida’s epic three-part adaptation of Kaizan Nakazato’s novel, a vast sprawling work comprising… Continue reading
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Obōzu Tengu (Tengu Priest) (1962)
Directed by Yasushi Sasaki The title refers to the protagonist’s nickname. Based on the novel by Kan Shimozawa, this is fairly formulaic stuff in terms of plot. Nevertheless it offers a number of things that make it worth a watch.… Continue reading
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Shinsengumi-Fest!
Lots going on this month. It’s my birthday month, for starters. July in Japan is very festive too. Folks have all sorts of seasonal festivals they can attend. There’s Tanabata on the 7th of July, marking the reunion of Orihime… Continue reading
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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
