Hachi-ko / Hachikô monogatari (1987)
Drama | Family
The true story about a dog's loyalty to its master, even after his death.
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Kaoru Yachigusa, Toshinori Omi, Toshirô Yanagiba, Mako Ishino
Director: Seijirô Kôyama
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island / Miyamoto Musashi kanketsuhen: kettô Ganryûjima (1956)
Action | Adventure | Biography | Drama | History
A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in a year's time but rejects Shogun's patronage, choosing instead to live on the edge of a village, raising vegetables. He's followed there by Otsu and later by Akemi, both in love with him. The year ends as Takezo assists the villagers against a band of brigands. He seeks Otsu's forgiveness and accepts her love, then sets off across the water to Ganryu Island for his final contest.
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Mariko Okada, Koji Tsuruta, Kaoru Yachigusa, Daisuke Katô
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
IMDb Info
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple / Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijôji no kettô (1955)
Action | Adventure | Biography | Drama | History
After years on the road establishing his reputation as Japan's greatest fencer, Takezo returns to Kyoto. Otsu waits for him, yet he has come not for her but to challenge the leader of the region's finest school of fencing. To prove his valor and skill, he walks deliberately into ambushes set up by the school's followers. While Otsu waits, Akemi also seeks him, expressing her desires directly. Meanwhile, Takezo is observed by Sasaki Kojiro, a brilliant young fighter, confident he can dethrone Takezo. After leaving Kyoto in triumph, Takezo declares his love for Otsu, but in a way that dishonors her and shames him. Once again, he leaves alone.
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Mariko Okada, Koji Tsuruta, Kaoru Yachigusa, Akihiko Hirata
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto / Miyamoto Musashi (1954)
Action | Adventure | Biography | Drama | History
With his closest friend, Matahachi, Takezo (the town's wild, orphan kid) leaves his village to join an army on its way to battle. After their side loses, they seek shelter in the isolated home of a widow, Oko, and her daughter, Akemi. Oko seduces Matahachi, who forgets his betrothal to the virtuous Otsu. Oko, Matahachi, and Akemi go to Kyoto, but Takezo returns to the village. Matahachi's family rejects Takezo's report and has him arrested for treason. A monk rescues him from death and sentences him to the study of the samurai code. Otsu and Takezo fall in love, and she promises to wait for him when he sets off on the road as a knight errant.
Starring: Toshirô Mifune, Mariko Okada, Rentarô Mikuni, Kaoru Yachigusa, Akihiko Hirata
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
