Chambara: The Art of Japanese Swordplay

Chambara: The Art of Japanese Swordplay

2015 · 84 min · ★ 7.5 · Documentary

Veteran director Nakajima Sadao examines the appeal, background, context and transition of chambara, or period sword-fighting and samurai films, in Kyoto. Not only interviews with actors, choreographers and critiques are included, but the director orchestrates an original chambara scene for the documentary.

Directed by Sadao Nakajima

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Hulu

Rent or Buy

Amazon Video

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 55m together

Chambara: The Art of Japanese Swordplay

The Three Ginza Rascals

Both from Sadao Nakajima.

More from Sadao NakajimaSee all →

The Scoundler vs. The Viper BrothersThe Scoundler vs. The Viper Brothers · 1974
The Scoundler vs. The Viper Brothers
★ 10.01974
MovieActionComedy
A crossover between Wakayama's Gokudo and Sugawara Mamushi series. Gokudo runs a restaurant and makes Takuzo Kawatani his kitchen bitch. He tries to do the same for the Mamushi bros. but the boys don't play along, which pisses Gokudo off. Things get worse when he starts helping a young teacher and Bunta has a crush on a pretty girl... and unbeknownst to them it's the same woman! Yes, the film has not one but two romantic subplots! Of course it all ends in bloodshed.
The Three Ginza RascalsThe Three Ginza Rascals · 1976
The Three Ginza Rascals
★ 10.01976
Movie
Three men, all named Masa, join forces to capitalize on each of their unique yet questionable talents against a hyper-competitive Tokyo underworld.
Theater Of LifeTheater Of Life · 1983
Theater Of Life
★ 9.01983
MovieDrama
Adaptation of Shiro Ozaki's novel.
A Modern Yakuza: Three Decoy Blood BrothersA Modern Yakuza: Three Decoy Blood Brothers · 1971
A Modern Yakuza: Three Decoy Blood Brothers
★ 9.01971
MovieCrimeAction
When a large crime syndicate seeks to invade Gifu's underworld, three brothers and their yakuza family are the only ones that stand in their way.
Down with The Big BossDown with The Big Boss · 1979
Down with The Big Boss
★ 8.01979
MovieDramaCrime
In pre-war Japan, two members of a large yakuza syndicate instigate a turf war that embroils the highest echelons of Tokyo's underworld.
Shadow WarriorsShadow Warriors · 1980
Shadow Warriors
★ 8.01980
SeriesDramaAction & Adventure
Shadow Warriors is a Japanese television jidaigeki show featuring Sonny Chiba that ran for four seasons in the early 1980s. Chiba played different ninja characters in each series. In the first series he played Hattori Hanzō III, in second one he played Tsuge Shinpachi, in the third one he played Tarao Hanzō, in the fourth series and in Bakumatsu Hen, he played Hattori Hanzō XV. In the 2003 direct-to-DVD series Shin Kage no Gundan he played Hattori Hanzō I.
Operation Plazma in OsakaOperation Plazma in Osaka · 1976
Operation Plazma in Osaka
★ 7.71976
MovieActionCrime
Amidst Japan's postwar economic boom, yakuza factions in Osaka fight for survival when Japan's largest crime syndicate plans a hostile takeover.
Japanese Godfather: AmbitionJapanese Godfather: Ambition · 1977
Japanese Godfather: Ambition
★ 7.71977
MovieCrimeDrama
An ambitious Kansai yakuza don moves in on Tokyo using financial and political tactics, sparking conflict with a local criminal association.
The Great Okinawa Yakuza WarThe Great Okinawa Yakuza War · 1976
The Great Okinawa Yakuza War
★ 7.61976
MovieDramaAction
Chiba, looking gnarly, and acting as animalistic as ever, stars alongside Matsukata as violent gangsters battling their way through fight after bloody fight with rival yakuza on the streets of Okinawa.
She-ShogunShe-Shogun · 1990
She-Shogun
★ 7.51990
MovieHistoryDrama
The rise to power of the famed Lady Kasuga no Tsubone, who established the 'Ooku' (the women's quarters at Edo castle) and acted as nursemaid to Tokugawa Iemitsu, the future 3rd Shogun is chronicled in this historical drama. Intrigue and suspicion abound as the two brothers Iemitsu and Tadanaga vie for the post of Shogun, while behind the scenes the remnants of the defeated Toyotomi faction, lead by Lord Ishida Mitsunari attempt to discredit the Tokugawa Shogunate and regain their former position as rulers of the nation. The hidden battles between Shogun Hidetada's wife and mistresses of the 'Ooku' come to light as they force the two brothers into a life or death struggle.
Withered Tree, the Adventures of MonjiroWithered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro · 1972
Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro
★ 7.31972
MovieActionCrime
Kogarashi Monjiro is a lone samurai who agrees to take responsibility for a murder that his friend committed so that he can stay with his dying mother, with the expectation that his friend will confess and get him pardoned once she dies. Monjiro is sentenced to an island for prisoners. When he discovers that his friend's mother has died over a year ago, Monjiro seeks to escape with a group of prisoners in order to get his revenge.
Japanese Godfather: ConclusionJapanese Godfather: Conclusion · 1978
Japanese Godfather: Conclusion
★ 7.21978
MovieDramaCrime
The three-film saga comes to a conclusion as three leaders of the underworld battle it out to determine who will become Don of Japan.
Japan's DonJapan's Don · 1977
Japan's Don
★ 7.21977
MovieCrimeDrama
A yakuza leader must balance his violent tactics necessary for the rough streets of 1960s Tokyo with the domestic needs of his daughters.
Shogun's ShadowShogun's Shadow · 1989
Shogun's Shadow
★ 6.91989
MovieHistoryAction
A shogun's eldest son must do whatever it takes to survive a series of attempts on his life. He receives much-needed aid from seven warriors who are led by a strong leader.
The Rapacious JailbreakerThe Rapacious Jailbreaker · 1974
The Rapacious Jailbreaker
★ 6.61974
MovieActionCrime
Convicted of murder, Masayuki Ueda is sent to Hiroshima Prison along with his accomplice. But for a man like him, breaking out of prison is easy.
The Seburi StoryThe Seburi Story · 1985
The Seburi Story
★ 6.61985
MovieDrama
The culturally isolated, nomadic Seburi people of western Japan are the subject of this tragedy about a few of the community's members who especially experience difficulties as modern Japan encroaches on their world. The setting is World War II, and conflicts have already arisen when the military police come to take Seburi men away into the army. Still following their own customs that can be harsh at times, and are particularly cruel to women (women must give birth alone and unaided, a woman's adultery is punished by burying her up to her neck in the earth and then leaving her for days), the Seburi are mainly treated with fear and animosity by the non-Seburi townspeople of the region. Along with the hardships arising from cultural clashes, nature's own vagaries present other challenges to the Seburi -- who still lived in tents until the 1950s. Winter avalanches and snowstorms cause as much havoc as the tensions engendered by the slow encroachment of the modern world.

More Like This

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter