Post by usagigoya on Mar 14, 2016 0:20:05 GMT -5
If you are going to have a Musashi Miyamoto film marathon, you should consider the "other" version of the story, the one featuring Japan's most popular samurai film star (Mifune was the most popular Japanese samurai film star internationally or outside of Japan).
Nakamura Kinnosuke starred in 6 films as Musashi, the original 5 films made during the 1960's, and an additional film made in the early 1970's which covered an episode in the original story by Eiji Yoshikawa which was left out of the original 5 films.
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI (1961) Miyamoto Musashi: Zen and Sword
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.
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, MIKUNE Rentaro
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: HANNYAZAKA NO KETTO (1962) Miyamoto Musashi: Showdown at Hannyazaka Heights
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.
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, MIKUNE Rentaro
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: NITORYU KAIGEN (1963) Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of the Two Sword Style
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
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, MIKUNE Rentaro
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: ICHIJOJI NO KETTO (1964) Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijoji
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!
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, TAKAKURA Ken
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: GANRYÛ-JIMA NO KETTÔ (1965) Musashi Miyamoto: The Duel at Ganryu Island
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?
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, TAKAKURA Ken
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: SHINKEN SHOBU (1971) Musashi Miyamoto: Swords of Death
It's sword versus chain and sickle as a young Musashi Miyamoto (Kinnosuke Nakamura) develops his famous two sword technique. When Baiken Shishido discovers that Musashi killed his brother-in-law in a fight, he feigns ignorance and invites the swordsman to stay overnight. Determined to avenge his brother-in-laws death he gathers his men around the house and prepares to ambush Musashi at dawn. Sensing the plot Musashi attacks and defeats the men laying in ambush, he then must face his chain and sickle wielding opponent, Baiken. Since he has never faced these weapons before, he must use all his skill and intelligence to win.
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, MIKUNE Rentaro, TERUO Matsuyama, HIDEKO Okiyama, HIROSHI Tanaka, HIRONOBU Wakamoto
Nakamura Kinnosuke starred in 6 films as Musashi, the original 5 films made during the 1960's, and an additional film made in the early 1970's which covered an episode in the original story by Eiji Yoshikawa which was left out of the original 5 films.
By Zack Davisson - June 24, 2010
Ask an American samurai-film fan about legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi) on film, and they will probably think of Inagaki Hiroshi's Samurai Trilogy staring Mifune Toshiro. Ask the same thing to a Japanese samurai-film fan, and they will most likely think of this series, the five-film series by Uchida Tomo and staring Nakamura Kinnosuke (Portrait of Hell). Both are adaptations of Yoshikawa Eiji's famous novel Musashi, but in Japan the Uchida/Nakamura version is by far the more famous.
While I love the Mifune Toshiro, in Inagaki's trilogy it is hard to separate the actor from the role, and it is much more "Mifune as Musashi" than Nakamura's performance here. Over the five films, Nakamura develops the character of Musashi from the wild beast of his youth to the sage warrior who duels on Ganryu island. Nakamura was a kabuki actor who transferred over to film, and his acting style is more nuanced than Mifune's energetic performance.
Uchida's "Miyamoto Musashi" follows Yoshikawa's novel faithfully, from Takezo and Matahachi's survival at the Battle of Sekigahara, to Takezo returning alone to their home villiage and romance with Matahachi's fiancé Otsu. After three years of study, the wild Takezo is transformed into the educated warrior Miyamoto Musashi and sets out to test himself against the great fighters of Japan. Lurking in the background is Sasaki Kojiro, who watches Musashi's development as a sword fighter and who waits patiently for Musashi to refine his craft until the two face off at there famous duel at Ganryu Island.
This set contains all five films in Uchida's Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi - The wild youth of Takezo, who would become Musashi, and his relationship with Otsu, the former fiancé of this best friend Matahatchi, and who would be the love of Musashi's life
Duel at Hannya Hill - After devoting three years to study, Musashi's first test of his new skills is against the swordsmen of the Yoshioka Dojo and the spearmen of Hozo'in Temple.
Birth of the Nito-ryu Style - Musashi's next target is a duel with the famous sword master Yagyu Sekishusai, which leads to the creation of Musashi's renowned two-sword technique.
Duel at Ichijyo-Temple - Musashi's ongoing fued with the Yoshioka Dojo comes to a conclusion when he must face off against all seventy-three of its members.
Duel at Ganryu Island - Finally, the most famous duel in Japanese history plays out again on screen as Musashi stands against Sasaki Kojiro and his massive sword, the Drying Pole.
Animeigo has put out a beautiful collection of these five important films. (Although I have come to the conclusion that Animeigo can't help but put out a beautiful collection, because their standards are so high!). The five films are packed in space-saving slim cases, and extras include commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV (The Emperor and the Wolf: The Lives and Films of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune) on the first film, and program notes and trailers for all films.
Ask an American samurai-film fan about legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi) on film, and they will probably think of Inagaki Hiroshi's Samurai Trilogy staring Mifune Toshiro. Ask the same thing to a Japanese samurai-film fan, and they will most likely think of this series, the five-film series by Uchida Tomo and staring Nakamura Kinnosuke (Portrait of Hell). Both are adaptations of Yoshikawa Eiji's famous novel Musashi, but in Japan the Uchida/Nakamura version is by far the more famous.
While I love the Mifune Toshiro, in Inagaki's trilogy it is hard to separate the actor from the role, and it is much more "Mifune as Musashi" than Nakamura's performance here. Over the five films, Nakamura develops the character of Musashi from the wild beast of his youth to the sage warrior who duels on Ganryu island. Nakamura was a kabuki actor who transferred over to film, and his acting style is more nuanced than Mifune's energetic performance.
Uchida's "Miyamoto Musashi" follows Yoshikawa's novel faithfully, from Takezo and Matahachi's survival at the Battle of Sekigahara, to Takezo returning alone to their home villiage and romance with Matahachi's fiancé Otsu. After three years of study, the wild Takezo is transformed into the educated warrior Miyamoto Musashi and sets out to test himself against the great fighters of Japan. Lurking in the background is Sasaki Kojiro, who watches Musashi's development as a sword fighter and who waits patiently for Musashi to refine his craft until the two face off at there famous duel at Ganryu Island.
This set contains all five films in Uchida's Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi - The wild youth of Takezo, who would become Musashi, and his relationship with Otsu, the former fiancé of this best friend Matahatchi, and who would be the love of Musashi's life
Duel at Hannya Hill - After devoting three years to study, Musashi's first test of his new skills is against the swordsmen of the Yoshioka Dojo and the spearmen of Hozo'in Temple.
Birth of the Nito-ryu Style - Musashi's next target is a duel with the famous sword master Yagyu Sekishusai, which leads to the creation of Musashi's renowned two-sword technique.
Duel at Ichijyo-Temple - Musashi's ongoing fued with the Yoshioka Dojo comes to a conclusion when he must face off against all seventy-three of its members.
Duel at Ganryu Island - Finally, the most famous duel in Japanese history plays out again on screen as Musashi stands against Sasaki Kojiro and his massive sword, the Drying Pole.
Animeigo has put out a beautiful collection of these five important films. (Although I have come to the conclusion that Animeigo can't help but put out a beautiful collection, because their standards are so high!). The five films are packed in space-saving slim cases, and extras include commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV (The Emperor and the Wolf: The Lives and Films of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune) on the first film, and program notes and trailers for all films.
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI (1961) Miyamoto Musashi: Zen and Sword
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.
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, MIKUNE Rentaro
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: HANNYAZAKA NO KETTO (1962) Miyamoto Musashi: Showdown at Hannyazaka Heights
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.
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, MIKUNE Rentaro
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: NITORYU KAIGEN (1963) Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of the Two Sword Style
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
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, MIKUNE Rentaro
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: ICHIJOJI NO KETTO (1964) Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijoji
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!
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, TAKAKURA Ken
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: GANRYÛ-JIMA NO KETTÔ (1965) Musashi Miyamoto: The Duel at Ganryu Island
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?
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, TAKAKURA Ken
MIYAMOTO MUSASHI: SHINKEN SHOBU (1971) Musashi Miyamoto: Swords of Death
It's sword versus chain and sickle as a young Musashi Miyamoto (Kinnosuke Nakamura) develops his famous two sword technique. When Baiken Shishido discovers that Musashi killed his brother-in-law in a fight, he feigns ignorance and invites the swordsman to stay overnight. Determined to avenge his brother-in-laws death he gathers his men around the house and prepares to ambush Musashi at dawn. Sensing the plot Musashi attacks and defeats the men laying in ambush, he then must face his chain and sickle wielding opponent, Baiken. Since he has never faced these weapons before, he must use all his skill and intelligence to win.
Directed by: Uchida Tomu
Cast: NAKAMURA Kinnosuke, KIMURA Isao, MIKUNE Rentaro, TERUO Matsuyama, HIDEKO Okiyama, HIROSHI Tanaka, HIRONOBU Wakamoto