TOKIJIRO: LONE YAKUZA (1966)
Region Code: Region-Free
Duration: 90 Minutes 23 Seconds
Rating: Unrated
Audio: Japanese PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Director: Tai Kato
Cast: Kinnosuke Nakamura, Junko Ikeuchi, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Shinjiro Nakamura
Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza (1966), directed by Tai Kato (Eighteen Years in Prison) is a period Yakuza story set in the 18th-centuy, where a weary wandering-gambler Tokijiro (Kinnosuke Nakamura, Goyokin) finds himself honor-bound to serve the Konoso clan after accepting lodging at one of their properties, and to returns the favor he is told he must slay a rival clan member who refuses to fall in line with the new Yakuza clan that has taken power in the territory. Tikijiro has strict code of honor and he takes no joy in violence, though the opening scene shows him slaughtering a trio of would-be thieves on a beach when they refuse to walk away. He's clearly a skilled swordsman, but he seeks a peaceful life free from Yakuza rivalries. Now finding himself in this predicament he does indeed slay the rival, Sanzo (Chiyonosuke Azuma, The Conspirator), who with his dying breath asks Tokijiro to protect his wife Okinu (Junko Ikeuchi, The Ghost of Yotsuya) and young son Tarokicho (Shinjiro Nakamura, nephew of star Kinnosuke Nakamura) from the Yakuza clan, and to make sure they get to the safety of a relatives house some distance away. He finds the wife and child nearby and is immediately wracked by guilt when he realizes he has met them earlier earlier in the day and quite enjoyed their company, now grieved by the guilt and honor bound by his own strict code they embark on a journey together to find safety for the mother and son. Along the way Tokijiro and Okinu finds themselves falling in love but unable to express it, both wracked by guilt, he for having slain her husband. she for falling in love with her husband's killer. As the story plays out the trio find moments of fleeting happiness, then drift apart when the guilt proves too much for the widow. Of course there are also more bloody encounters as the conflicted Tokijiro is forced to bloody his sword, with a terrifically tragic finale that packs an emotionally resonant punch. The overall tone is melancholic, punctuated by fleeting moments of happiness and tragedy, and of course some nicely stylized violence with bloody swordplay, but also some surprising moments of comedy during the first 15-minutes of the film before Tokijiro suffers a loss of a friend.
I have only seen one other Tai Kato film, the other being Eighteen Years in Prison (1967), which was also released by Radiance Films who are doing the cinema-lord's work for sure, and having only seen these two I am quite a fan of his work. I love his visual style, and the balance of melodrama, the way he shoots violence and action is electric, and his portrayal of men whose fates are dictated by their codes of honor is just fascinating stuff. I do hope Radiance keep unearthing these Tai Kato films because I am on the hook for more after watching these two.
Audio/Video: Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza (1966) makes it's North American debut Region A,B Blu-ray from radiance Films in 1080p HD widescreen (2.35:1) widescreen. sourced from an HD master supplied by Toei Co. Ltd.. Like many films of this era transferred by Toei there's a slight softness to the image with thick grain and pleasing amounts of detail and texture. Blacks are not ever truly inky black but they are solid enough, and colors fare quite well, especially the splashes of blood which are properly crimson and vivid. The source is also in terrific shape, a few speckles here and there but otherwise free of blemish. Audio comes by way of Japanese PCM 2.0 dual-mono with optional English subtitles. Dialogue is crisply delivered, the sounds of clanging swords and physical combat sound great, and the oft moving score by Ichirô Saitô (The Demon Crusader).
Radiance offers a couple of excellent extras, we get a
17-min Koushi Ueno on Tai Kato and Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza in which he talks at length about the career of director Kato and the film’s place in genre cinema history; plus a 18-min Young Master, a visual essay on star Kinnosuke Nakamura by Japanese cinema expert Robin Gatto that explores the lengthy career of actor Nakamura. Disc extras are finished-up with a 1-min Trailer.
The single-disc release arrives in a clear full-height Scanavo packaging with a Reversible Sleeve of Artwork featuring both original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow, I preferred the cool-looking original theatrical artwork on this one. We also get Radiance's signature Removable OBI Strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings if you so wish. With this initial Limited Edition pressing we also get a 24-Page Illustrated Booklet featuring new writing scholar Ivo Smits and a newly translated archival review, as well as notes about the cast, crew, transfer, and release credits.
Reversible Sleeve
Artwork without Obi Strip
Special Features:
- Koushi Ueno on Tai Kato and Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza (16:34)
- Young Master, a visual essay on star Kinnosuke Nakamura by Japanese cinema expert Robin Gatto (17:35)
- Young Master, a visual essay on star Kinnosuke Nakamura by Japanese cinema expert Robin Gatto (17:35)
- Trailer (1:18)
- Reversible Sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
- Limited Edition Booklet featuring new writing by scholar Ivo Smits and a newly translated archival review
- Limited Edition Booklet featuring new writing by scholar Ivo Smits and a newly translated archival review
Screenshots from the Radiance Films Blu-ray:
Extras:
Buy it!
#ad
