Nemuri Kyoshiro discovers a conspiracy centering around a band of disgruntled samurai wanting to avenge the death of their sensei, a political reformer that pushed for better provisions for the lower classes until he was assassinated by Shogunate agents. Their plot, to set fire to the oil refineries of two rich merchants and unleash a raging inferno that will hopefully burn down the Edo Castle.
Acting
Raizō Ichikawa's sleepy-eyed menace — boredom as weapon.
Direction
Misumi builds tension through stillness, then cuts loose.
Cinematography
Shadow-drenched Edo streets that practically sweat intrigue.
Director
Kenji Misumi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This entry directly engages with the Ansei Reform debates, using the 1860s to critique 1960s Japan's economic inequality — pretty spicy for a franchise film.
Raizō Ichikawa filmed this during his legendary run of 9 Sleepy Eyes films in 4 years, often shooting multiple productions simultaneously. The exhaustion you see? Method acting by necessity.
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