Release Date: 1965-06-12
Released by: Daiei Films
Directed by: Mori Issei
Plot Summary: “In the 14th year of Kanei, Toyotomi’s men who managed to survive the battle of Sekigahara went to fight in the battle of Shimabara but there weren’t enough and they were soundly defeated.
Matsudaira Izunokami, a leading general of the Tokugawa side led his men up the road to Edo but there is a man who is thinking of Tokugawa as his deadly enemy.”
This is one of the most complicated plots of any of the Shinobi no Mono films! Therefore, this synopsis is a little light on details.
Kirigakure Saizou tells his son and daughter that he will continue to fight against the Tokugawa. He then reveals that the girl is really the daughter of Sanada Yukimura who he’s raised as his own. He tells his son, Saisuke to protect Princess Yuri. Saizou then shoots Izunokami. The ninja is wounded in the ensuing battle. He finds himself cornered and kills himself as the children watch.
10 years later, there are many plots forming to fight against the Tokugawa Shogunate. One is lead by Yui Shosetsu and his men. Saisuke, now older and skilled in Ninpo (the way of the ninja) meets Yui and begins forming plans to create uprisings throughout the country in order to avenge his father.
Saisuke meets Yuri, who was separated from him when they were children. She has been raised by Izunokami as his daughter and as a Koga ninja. Her loyalty to her past and to Izunokami create conflict as she switches sides several times.
There are many subplots and double-crosses in this film. It’s very interesting and quite entertaining. This film contains some of the best ninja against ninja combat!
Cast:
ICHIKAWA Raizou as KIRIGAKURE Saizou / KIRIGAKURE Saisuke
YACHIGUSA Kaoru as SANADA Yuri-hime (Oran)
YAMAGATA Isao as MATSUDAIRA Izu-no-kami
SUZUKI Mizuho as YUI Shousetsu
IMAI Kenji as MARUHASHI Chouya
SHIMADA Ryouzou as II Kamon-no-kami
KITA Ryuuji as TOKUGAWA Yorinobu
KAGAWA Ryousuke
TONOYAMA Taiji as KOUGA Genshinsai
MIZUHARA Kouichi
DATE Saburou as KANAI Hanbei
HARA Seishirou
NANJOU Shintarou as ABE Bungo-no-kami
KIMURA Gen
TAMAOKI Kazue
SENGOKU Yasuzou
SHIGA Akira
KUROKI Hideo
HIRAIZUMI Seishichirou
MATSUBAYASHI Shunji
UNO Masaaki
NAKAJIMA Michiko