Super Hawk Volume III

For the poor, Edo is Hell on Earth, starving under the rule of Tanuma Okitsugi, corrupt councilor to the shogun. But the courageous vagabond called “Kageboshi” (Shadow Avenger), will fight for the common folk, robbing the rich so the people will have rice. Tanuma’s henchmen will hire an evil swordsman to pose as Kageboshi, starting a wave of murder, kidnapping and robbery, searching for two antique sword-guards that will reveal the hiding place of a fortune in buried gold. But who will claim the gold? The poor of Edo, or the conniving Tanuma? Only Kageboshi’s flashing sword, tearing through Tanuma’s bloodthirsty minions, can forestall his wicked schemes.

A western occupation propaganda film in which a boy repairs a western style doll that comes to life and uses a magic pen to rebuild his bleak and war torn world into a happy place resembling western civilization.

This is the story of a samurai who falls on hard times due to misunderstandings and follows the plots of his enemies.

Nanjo Mikisaburo is a young samurai trying to restore his ruined family to its past glory. Enduring the contempt and disdain of high-ranking samurai, Mikisaburo devotes himself to the way of the warrior, mastering the literary and martial arts. His master Kurahashi Jupeita's daughter Misao feels for Mikisahuro who maintains his pride in the face of the arrogant samurai's scorn. She sympathizes with and encourages him. However this sympathy ignites a passionate love for her in Mikisaburo.

Tokutaro is an orphan child who becomes a street candy vendor. He sells candies, humming a song he learned long ago from his mother. One day he met with thieves along the way and this encounter changes their lives in ways they cannot imagine.

Kataoka Chiezo stars as Murasaki Zukin, a mysterious hero of the people who helps those in need. Now under the rule of the evil Tanuma, the people look to Murasaki Zukin more than ever, to confront and punish those who bring misfortune upon the commoners. Will he be able to bring peace to the land? One of the greatest actors from Toei Studios, known mainly for his swashbuckling roles as powerful swordsmen such as Ryunosuke in SOULS IN THE MOONLIGHT, he appeared in 325 films both before and after the war, beginning with CHUSHINGURA in 1928, and including KUNISADA CHUJI in 1933, and DOKUGANRYO MASAMUNE. While best known for his swordplay, Chiezo really did not enjoy the action, but was able to use his menacing presence to stare down his adversaries. Although Kataoka Chiezo passed away in 1983 at the age of 79, he still has many fans today. This film shows him at his best.

The purple hood reveals the embezzlement of public money by officials. A remake of Masahiro Makino's 1923 film.

Japanese movie from 1930s

A historical drama directed by Yukiya Sato, and co-written by Rokuhei Susukita and Jiro Okuzawa. Seitarou, who travels from trip to trip, was asked by Fujisuke, who was killed in a mess at the Shinshu Oil Shop's gambling house, to deliver his child Shinkichi to his mother Megumi in the old Iwanjoya in Shiojiri, Shinshu. Megumi was crying day and night, worrying for her child. Masagoro, the boss of the land who had been aiming for the replacement of Iwanjoya, forced Megumi to marry his son Hyokichi. On the way, Seitarou and Shinkichi helped Rohno, who was looking for his fiancee....

Kageboshi, based on the screenplay by Rokuhei Rokuhei Susukita, depicts the life of the ‘jovial thief’, Kageboshi.

1929 Japanese movie