This is one of the many films based on the legend of Chuji Kunisada, a wandering gambler and a defender of the weak in the Edo period. In other words, he was the Japanese Robin Hood. In this film Kunisada (Chiezo Kataoka) arrives to a small town terrorized by an evil gang. He insists that he is not Kunisada, as the word is Kunisada has been executed, but of course the audience know better. Sonny Chiba plays an unusual supporting role as a helpless young man unable to defend himself from the gangsters. He does, however, get to play taiko drums and dance with Junko Fuji (who makes her film debut here). Chiba's father, an old judge who helps Kunisada, is played by Takashi Shimura. The film hardly anything exceptional, but it's a pretty decent jidai geki / yakuza drama.
Acting
Chiezo Kataoka's weary charisma carries every frame.
Direction
Masahiro Makino's efficient, no-fuss storytelling.
Score
Sonny Chiba on taiko drums—unexpected and delightful.
Director
Masahiro Makino
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chuji Kunisada is one of Japan's most filmed folk heroes, with over 30 adaptations since the silent era—this is pure comfort-food cinema for Japanese audiences of a certain age.
This was Junko Fuji's very first film; she'd become the definitive female yakuza icon in the 1970s Red Peony Gambler series, making this a fascinating origin point.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
JP
