Kakushi ken oni no tsume (2004)

Director:

Yôji Yamada

Writers:

Yôji Yamada (screenplay) &
Yoshitaka Asama (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 October 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

During the time of change of the mid-19th Century, Yaichiro is bid farewell by his fellow samurai friends...

Plot Keywords:

Clan | Samurai | Hostage | Japan | Swordsman

Awards:

3 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Masatoshi Nagase	...	Munezô Katagiri
Takako Matsu	...	Kie
Hidetaka Yoshioka	...	Samon Shimada
Yukiyoshi Ozawa	...	Yaichirô Hazama
Tomoko Tabata	...	Shino Katagiri
Chieko Baisho	...	Mrs. Katagiri (as Chieko Baishô)
Kunie Tanaka	...	Kanbê Katagiri
Toshiki Ayata
Hiroshi Kanbe
Sachiko Mitsumoto	...	Mrs. Iseya
Reiko Takashima	...	Hazama's Wife
Satoko Yamamura
Nana Saito	...	Bun (as Nana Saitô)
Kazuhiko Kasai
Ryôta Satô

Also Known As:

The Hidden Blade (International: English title) (USA) (festival title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violent material.

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:R-13 | Australia:MA | UK:15 | USA:R | New Zealand:R16 | Singapore:NC-16

Company:

Shouchiku Co.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Hazama is shot by a rifleman, it blows his arm off. A rifle bullet, particularly one of that era, does not have enough power to cleanly sever a limb in the manner shown.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Kie: Is that what you command... sir?
Munezo Katagiri: Yes. That is my command.
Kie: If it's your command, then I have no choice but to obey.

Movie Connections:

Follows Tasogare Seibei (2002)

Yamada Gives Us Another Brilliant Samurai Movie

The title of the movie suggests another action-packed "Crouching Tiger" wannabe, but this could not be farther from the truth. Minus one swordfight near the end of the film, there is hardly any action here. But the slow-burn narrative is a true blessing because it gives the viewer time to understand characters and historical background, which are the most important elements here anyway. The movie examines honor, loyalty and above all, the consequences of violence in feudal Japan. And there is a sort of basic moral logic operating here that you do not see often enough in movies nowadays. I'm not getting into the specifics because I do not want to take the risk of spoiling a few surprises, but I think it is safe to say that director Yamada has somehow managed to create a period piece that has the power to resonate with modern viewers. What you see feels not only authentic, but also relevant to our modern life, a rare accomplishment in a movie of this vintage. If you enjoyed Yamada's profoundly moving "The Twilight Samurai," I'm sure you will love this movie too.