Search

Description

The upstart Hoshino gang tries to assassinate the boss of the Kiyatatsu syndicate, setting in motion a spiral of violence. Osaka, 1907. The upstart Hoshino gang tries to assassinate the boss of the Kiyatatsu syndicate, who are in charge of the construction business. The attempt fails but sets in motion a spiral of violence, as the Hoshino sabotage building sites and kill a junior Kiyatatsu member. When the old boss dies of his wounds, senior lieutenant Kikuchi (Koji Tsuruta, Big Time Gambling Boss) decides to take on the Hoshino gang alone. Director Tai Kato's first yakuza film is a feast for the eyes, with bold set design, vivid colours and daring shot compositions bringing to life a timeless tale of honour and vengeance. Co-written by Red Peony Gambler creator Norifumi Suzuki and featuring a stunning central performance from Tsuruta, this is one of the finest of Toei's classic "chivalrous" yakuza films. Bonus Materials High-Definition digital transfer Uncompressed mono PCM audio Lice Are Scary - short film by Tai Kato (1943, 14 mins) Junko Fuji: Flower and Storm - a visual essay by Mark Schilling (2025) New English subtitle translation Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Earl Jackson and an archival review of the film Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings Cast & Crew Actors: Koji Tsuruta Junko Fuji Tetsuro Tanba Director: Tai Kato

Description

A former soldier is jailed after black-market crimes while his partner rises in the underworld, setting up a bitter reckoning.

Description

The illustrious Junko Fuji stars as the beautiful and badass Oryu, the eponymous and benevolent female gambler who uses her incredible might for right. In the series' premiere she rambles into town searching for her father's killer with a wallet left at the crime scene as her only clue. At a card game she meets a kindred spirit, the noble and handsome yakuza Katagiri (Ken Takakura) and soon they are a force to be reckoned with. Part 2 finds Oryu under the arm of the kind gang boss of a silk farming town. When ruthless loan sharks encroach and their treachery leads to murder, it is Oryu's sworn duty to exact justice. Maestro of Japanese cinema Tai Kato simultaneously satiates and transcends genre tropes in his masterful direction of the celebrated third film in the series. From it's classically melodramatic opening set piece involving an oncoming train, the stage is set for a visually rich tale of good versus evil. Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Red Peony Gambler I - III [Blu-ray set]

Description

The illustrious Junko Fuji stars as the beautiful and badass Oryu, the eponymous and benevolent female gambler who uses her incredible might for right. In the series' premiere she rambles into town searching for her father's killer with a wallet left at the crime scene as her only clue. At a card game she meets a kindred spirit, the noble and handsome yakuza Katagiri (Ken Takakura) and soon they are a force to be reckoned with. Part 2 finds Oryu under the arm of the kind gang boss of a silk farming town. When ruthless loan sharks encroach and their treachery leads to murder, it is Oryu's sworn duty to exact justice. Maestro of Japanese cinema Tai Kato simultaneously satiates and transcends genre tropes in his masterful direction of the celebrated third film in the series. From it's classically melodramatic opening set piece involving an oncoming train, the stage is set for a visually rich tale of good versus evil. Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Red Peony Gambler I - III [Blu-ray set]

Description

The illustrious Junko Fuji stars as the beautiful and badass Oryu, the eponymous and benevolent female gambler who uses her incredible might for right. In the series' premiere she rambles into town searching for her father's killer with a wallet left at the crime scene as her only clue. At a card game she meets a kindred spirit, the noble and handsome yakuza Katagiri (Ken Takakura) and soon they are a force to be reckoned with. Part 2 finds Oryu under the arm of the kind gang boss of a silk farming town. When ruthless loan sharks encroach and their treachery leads to murder, it is Oryu's sworn duty to exact justice. Maestro of Japanese cinema Tai Kato simultaneously satiates and transcends genre tropes in his masterful direction of the celebrated third film in the series. From it's classically melodramatic opening set piece involving an oncoming train, the stage is set for a visually rich tale of good versus evil. Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Red Peony Gambler I - III [Blu-ray set]

Description

When the daughter of an elite family takes a shine to poor Iemon, he sees an opportunity to go up in the world. He just needs to get rid of his wife When the daughter of an elite family takes a shine to poor samurai Iemon (Tomisaburo Wakayama, lone wolf and cub), he sees an opportunity to climb the social ladder. He just needs to rid himself of his only obstacle: his loving wife Oiwa. He poisons her and dumps her corpse in a nearby swamp, but she returns as a horribly disfigured ghost to haunt Iemon on his wedding night. Crime film specialist Tai Kato (I, the Executioner) brings the famous Ghost Story of Yotsuya to the screen as a gritty tale of murder and greed, with an intense lead performance by Wakayama (The Bounty Hunter Trilogy, Big Time Gambling Boss). Bonus Materials High-Definition digital transfer Uncompressed mono PCM audio Interview with Mari Asato (2025) Visual essay on tormented female ghosts by Lindsay Nelson (2025 Trailer Newly improved English subtitle translation Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Tom Mes and an archival review of the film Cast & Crew Actors: Tomisaburo Wakayama Ayuko Fujishiro Atsushi Watanabe Sentarô Fushimi Jûshirô Konoe Yumiko Mihara Kikugorô Onoe Hiroko Sakuramachi Tosshô Sawamura Director: Tai Kato

Description

Weary of the rigid codes of the underworld, gambler Tokijiro (Kinnosuke Nakamura, Goyokin) wanders Japan in search of freedom. But escape proves to be impossible when an obligation to a gang boss leaves him with no choice but to kill a man. To atone for his crime, he vows to take care of his victim's widow and young son. But the gang won't rest until they've killed the entire family - including the man who stands in their way. With this breathtakingly stylized film, Tai Kato broke all the conventions of the yakuza genre, fusing blood-spurting action with melodrama worthy of Japanese cinema's greatest masters. SPECIAL FEATURES: High-Definition digital transfer Uncompressed mono PCM audio Interview with film critic Koushi Ueno about the film’s place in genre cinema history A visual essay on star Kinnosuke Nakamura by Japanese cinema expert Robin Gatto New and improved English subtitle translation Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by scholar Ivo Smits and a newly translated archival review Top About this item Similar From the Brand Reviews Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza - Limited Edition [Blu-ray]