A wandering ronin with a bamboo hat full of secrets and a body count to match.
1961 Japanese movie
Acting
Tomisaburō Wakayama's simmering restraint before explosive release.
Cinematography
Black-and-white shadows that swallow characters whole.
Director
Kinnosuke Fukada
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of the 'Hatchoblood' subgenre, these 1960s rush-job samurai flicks were shot in under two weeks for rural cinema circuits.
Wakayama would become iconic as Ogami Itto in Lone Wolf and Cub; this is basically his audition for stoic slaughter.
JP
