Miyamoto Musashi
was the most famous swordsman in Japanese history. His legendary
exploits have been portrayed in many books and films. The most
famous version of his life story was written by Yoshikawa Eiji,
and formed the basis of the Academy Award winning SAMURAI TRILOGY
starring Mifune Toshiro which is the version most Americans
are familiar with. While that trilogy is a great introduction to the
samurai, it omits much of the most interesting and important parts
of the story.
The best and most
complete version of the Musashi story was filmed 6 years later as a
5 part series starring Nakamura Kinnosuke and directed by Uchida Tomu. Needless to say, this has always been the most
popular version of the Musashi story in Japan, with all the
important developments and duels missing from the earlier
production. This series also featured noted Yakuza star Takakura
Ken in the pivotal role of Sasaki Kojiro, Musashi’s arch enemy,
his last samurai role until 1994. Alternately known as ZEN & SWORD, or UNTAMED FURY we have the
entire series available on home video with English subtitles for the
very first time.
1)ZEN & SWORD
(Miyamoto Musashi)
Toei 1961 color 110 min.
Starring: Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kimura Isao, Mikune Rentaro
Directed by Uchida Tomu
Also known as UNTAMED FURY, this film starts as 2
survivors of the Battle Of Sekigahara struggle to escape.
The two childhood friends, Takezo and Matahachi manage to
get away, and are helped by a mother and daughter who rob
the dead of their weapons and armor to sell for a modest
living. When brigands come to take the women’s hoard, Takezo
bravely steps forward and defeats them single-handedly. When
he tries to go back to his hometown he’s hunted down like a
dog by the victorious Tokugawa forces, and has to survive
cruel treatment. This film introduces us to some of the main
characters in Musashi’s life who are seen throughout the
entire series.
2) SHOWDOWN AT
HANNYAZAKA
(Hannyazaka no
Ketto)
Toei 1962
color 107 min. Starring: Nakamura Kinnosuke, Mikune
Rentaro Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Also
known as DUEL AT DEVIL’S MASK PASS this film begins
when, after spending 3 years of study in isolation, Takezo
is brought before the Clan Lord and made a Samurai. At this
time he receives the new samurai name that he is to be
remembered for, Miyamoto Musashi. Now he travels Japan
seeking to develop his sword skill, and goes to Nara near
Kyoto to learn from the Hozoin Priests about their unique
method of fighting with spears. Along the way he runs afoul
of a group of ronin who have been terrorizing the area, and
they must meet at Devil’s Mask Pass to see who will live.
None of this is in the Mifune/Inagaki version of the
Musashi story, though it is one of his greatest battles.
3) ELEVATION TO
THE 2 SWORD STYLE
(Nitoryu Kaigan)
Toei 1963 color
104 min.
Starring: Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kimura Isao, Takakura Ken
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
In this film, alternately known as THE WORTHLESS DUEL,
Musashi has just slaughtered the vile ronin and vilified the
Hozoin Priests for their duplicity, when he sets off to
challenge the most famous sword fighting schools in Japan, the
Yagyu and the Yoshioka. As the great Grandmaster Yagyu
Sekishusai is refusing to meet the young swordsmen from
Yoshioka, Musashi comes along looking to challenge the masters
of both schools.
This is from another part in the book which was not covered at
all in the SAMURAI TRILOGY, and is really critical to the
understanding of Musashi’s development as a martial artist. When
Sasaki Kojiro comes into the picture, the final element
is there for the rest of the story to play out. But first
Musashi must defeat Yoshioka Seijuro in a challenge
against the successor of that famous style
4) DUEL AT
ICHIJOJI TEMPLE
(Ichijoji no Ketto)
Toei 1964 color
128 min.
Starring: Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kimura Isao, Takakura Ken
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
After defeating Yoshioka Seijuro in a match, Miyamoto
Musashi has become a marked man. Countless people want revenge
against him for a variety of reasons, and he is challenged by
the Yoshioka family to a rematch, only since the new titular
head of the Yoshioka school is a mere child, they can bring in
over 100 skilled samurai to fight him in the most memorable
version of the famous showdown with the Yoshioka by the lonesome
pine tree near Ichijoji Temple.
This is the most action packed entry in the series as should be
expected. Unlike the whitewash given to Musashi in the earlier
version from Toho, Musashi does not hesitate to carry out what
needs to be done in order to win a duel against 100 men!
5) THE FINAL DUEL
(Ganryujima no
Ketto)
Toei 1965 color
121 min.
Starring: Nakamura Kinnosuke, Takakura Ken
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
The final showdown between the two rival swordsmen comes on
Funajima Island when Musashi has to somehow find a way to defeat
the 37” long sword that his arch enemy Kojiro uses for his
“Swallow-tail” cut. While the clan lord who backs Kojiro plans
to ambush Musashi, the time is ripe for one of Musashi’s most
famous tricks, that of using an oar to defeat the extremely long
sword of his arrogant foe! But how can he escape the vengeance
of those who are defeated?
ALL 5
NEWLY REMASTERED EPISODES FOR ONLY $125!!!
Down from $189.95 for our
older version, Individual episodes are $29.95 (down from
$39.95)
BUY
RIGHT NOW !!!
EMAIL US
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DEAL!
THE ORIGINAL
ONE & ONLY
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