A schoolteacher by day, corpse-creator by night. The original work-life balance nightmare.
Season 1 • Episode 12
LatestContinuing the adventures from the film series, Shikoro Ichibei is back with his cache of unique weapons and the quickest sword in all Japan. Having worked directly for the shogun in the past, he now runs a school in his secret identity as an educator. Meanwhile he takes on secret missions as ”The Bounty Hunter” (Shokin Kasegi). The touches of humor during the scenes around the school disappear once Ichibei takes on a contract. Powerful swordplay and brutal violence highlight these episodes as Japan’s greatest sword star Wakayama Tomisaburo stands tall against all odds in this dynamic television series.
Acting
Wakayama Tomisaburo's thousand-yard stare could stop a train
Direction
Kenji Misumi brings his Lone Wolf visual poetry to TV
Practical Effects
Pre-CGI swordplay where every slash required actual skill
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Wakayama Tomisaburo filmed this series simultaneously with the final Lone Wolf and Cub movies, essentially playing two iconic wandering swordsmen at once.
The 'secret identity as educator' trope here directly influenced later samurai series including the 2003 Zatoichi remake's masseuse cover.
JP
