Shôgo Shimada

Isolde Standish:
With the change in the aesthetic of the yakuza genre that occurred in the 1970s towards the realist style of the innovator Fukasaku Kinji ‘jitsuroku’ film series, the ninkyo ethic of the 1960s films again shifted genre. After the great success of the three-part epic War and Humanity (Senso to ningen), based on the six-part novel by Gomikawa Junpei (1916-1995) and released by Nikkatsu between 1970 and 1973, epics based on the war or military themes became increasingly popular throughout the 1970s and 1980s.Read More »

Synopsis:
After paying his respects at the grave of a man he accidentally killed, the legendary blind swordsman Zatoichi (played in top form as always by Shintaro Katsu) arrives at a village where the impoverished locals are in mid-celebration. It seems they’ve finally gathered enough money to pay off their heavy tax burden – a great relief to everyone in this drought-stricken area. At first, they invite Ichi to join in their fun. When the money is stolen by a group of samurai thugs, however, the villagers blame Ichi too, thinking that he’s in on the heist. Desperate to clear his name, Ichi swears to find those responsible and return the money. But it won’t be easy. First, Ichi has to investigate a local and much loved boss, who has gone into hiding. Then he’ll have to tangle with those thugs… including one of his toughest adversaries yet – a samurai by the name of Jushiro who wields a dangerous bullwhip as skillfully as a sword.Read More »