This most celebrated all-star movie version of the popular series features Tsukigata Ryunosuke as Mito Komon, the sage who wanders the countryside rectifying government corruption along with his faithful attendants Suke-san and Kaku-san. Based on the life of historical character Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the Shogun's uncle, who nonetheless finds that his nephew Ietsune has lost his perspective, and values the lives of animals above that of people.
While the story of the Ako Clan's vendetta has been told countless times, never before has there been an array of major motion picture stars to bring new life to this timeless tale. Starting with the corrupt practices of Lord Kira and Yanagisawa, the Shogun's Secretary, which in essence led to the incident of Lord Asano's attacking Kira in the Pine Corridor of the Shogun's Palace, this is the definitive version. Asano Takumi no kami was a young lord with high scruples, who refused to join in the general corruption and bribery which ran rampant in the capital at that time. This massive story is told in two parts, and features one of the most exciting swordfights in the history of film. Forty seven masterless samurai are willing to give their lives to avenge their lord. Nothing could match the courage of these warriors as they show that truly the sword is the soul of the samurai, and the samurai is the soul of Japan.
Adventures of the famous Lord Mito continue. Upon hearing news of his son, Matsudaira Yoritsune, going mad, Lord Mito rushes to Yoritsune's ruling country Takamatsu along with his loyal assistants Suke and Kaku. With the help of kind strangers, Lord Mito's gang must evade the evil attacks of those who disrupt his journey.
This is the first film in the long running series based on the real-life exploits of Edo’s North Magistrate, Toyama Kagemoto, who as a youth led a life of dissipation. While many in power do not take him seriously, Kin-san proves his worth by solving a mystery and rooting out corrupt government officials involved in a plot to assassinate the Shogun. He’s most famous for the ”Blizzard of Cherry Blossoms” tattoo which he displayed by baring his right shoulder when confronting criminals. Later in court, he calls the tattoo to the attention of those denying their involvement by again baring his shoulder before sentence is passed. While not all the stories are true, Magistrate Toyama did make a major impact on the policies of the Tokugawa Shogunate during the early part of the 19th Century.
In 1691 a terrible fire broke out in Denmacho, Yotsuya, burning down the towns around it, up to the shores of Shibaura. A month and a half later, another fire broke out, this time in Komagome, burning down the two gates of Asakusa and Sujikai, and continuing on into the night. As the government Elders consider evidence that these fires were arson, a fire breaks out in Hirakawa-cho, outside of Hanzo Gate. Nishonmaru catches on fire and burns down completely. When this rash of fires even strikes Kyoto, the task of finding who's behind the arson, and stopping them falls to the Shogun's uncle, the Elder Lord of Mito. Together with his trusted bodyguards, Kaku and Suke, the trio set of to save Japan from this scourge of evil. Featuring virtually all of their most famous stars, this is the best film in the Toei series about Mito Komon, one of Japan's most popular historical figures who traveled through the country incognito to check on the people and fight injustice.
