The Definitive Watchlist Seeking the Same Brilliance as Tange Sazen...

Dir: Daisuke Itô

Chanbara (sword fighting film) about a servant who accompanies his master on a mission of revenge. Forerunner of trend-films glorifying nihilism and rebellious spirit as opposed to vassal loyalty of the Edo period.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

Set in the Edo period, the film deals with two brothers falling in love with the same girl. The younger brother is badly injured in a sword fight and while nursing him back to health, the girl falls in love with him. Having lost out in love, the older brother gets into a desperate fight in which he's eventually slain.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of An Unforgettable Grudge perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

In medieval Japan, a brutal and corrupt magistrate is planning to kill the child who is about to become the heir to the estate and position of the local lord and substitute his own "heir", an orphan, in order to get control of the late lord's estate and rule as the impostor's "regent". However, a mysterious stranger appears and sets out to thwart the magistrate's plans and free the people from his oppressive rule.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Slashing Swords perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

Trilogy about the travels of the kindly bakuto Kunisada Chuji. Film depicts Chuji's attempt to save the geisha Oshina, a rebellion against the rigid social structure of Edo Japan. Part 2. "Shinshu Blood Laughter"

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Ikiryô perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

Tange Sazen is ordered by the feudal lord to possess the magic swords. A battle begins between five mysterious men in fiery robes who are also sword hunters.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

Trilogy about the travels of the kindly bakuto Kunisada Chuji. Film depicts Chuji's attempt to save the geisha Oshina, a rebellion against the rigid social structure of Edo Japan. Part 1. "Koshu Swordfighting" - First film is lost

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Shuchû nikki perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Daisuke Itô

Trilogy about the travels of the kindly bakuto Kunisada Chuji. Film depicts Chuji's attempt to save the geisha Oshina, a rebellion against the rigid social structure of Edo Japan. Part 3. "The Chuji Patrol"

Dir: Daisuke Itô

The only completely preserved silent film directed by Daisuke Ito, this film relates the life of a legendary thief, Jirokichi the Rat in an exquisite original story and through the revolutionary use of dynamic intertitles. The skillful benshi narration featuring a mixture of Edo dialect and Kansai dialect is highly entertaining.