Asian Drama

Shinjiro Katsuragi is a samurai informally known as Momotaro. Unlike the traditional samurai, Momotaro has no aspirations for power. His only goal is to live a carefree life, but his strong sense of fairness often pulls him into battles with powerful people who take advantage of those who are weak and trying to live an honest life. He defends the common people and fights against injustice.

The life story of Ashikaga Takauji, the founder and the first Sei-I-Tai-Shogun of Ashikaga Shogunate. He was born in the late Kamakura Period, during the time of discontentment with the Hojo clan's monopoly in the Shogunate administration. Emperor Go-Daigo took this opportunity to restore back Emperor's power. After some failed earlier attempts, he succeeded eventually with the help of a few independent Samurai Lords and Takauji's betrayal of the Hojo clan. However, it was not long before the Samurai class revolted due to unfair treatment and discontentment with the Nobles' domination in the new government. As the head of Minamoto descendants, Takauji took responsibility to confront Go-Daigo and establish Ashikaga Shogunate.

Adapted from the novel "Shihon Taiheiki" by Yoshikawa Eiji.

Along with his three-year-old son, Daigoro, they seek revenge on the Yagyû clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub" assassin for hire. Yorozuya's portrayal of Ôgami in the series, is said to be more faithful to the manga than the Wakayama films. Considering the lenght and number of episodes this can only be expected. These series follows the manga comics very closely so anyone who has read them will enjoy these shows. Starring Yorozuya Nakamura as Ôgami Ittô the Shogun's executioner, who was disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyû clan and has been forced to take the path of the assassin.

Sanada Nobushige was born to a lord who owned a small piece of land in Shinsu (present day Nagano Prefecture). He survived using wisdom, courage and much effort during the Sengoku period. Eventually, he grew into a much respected samurai warrior. During The Siege of Osaka, Nobushige constructed the small fortress "Sanada-maru" on the periphery of Osaka Castle. His fortress successfully repelled the much larger invading forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

“Yae no Sakura” will tell the story of Niijima Yae, also known as Yamamoto Yaeko, who was born into the Aizu Domain during the late Edo period. Skilled in gunnery, she helped defend Aizu during the Boshin War, earning her the nickname of the “Bakumatsu Joan of Arc.” After the war, she married educator Joseph Hardy Neesima (Niijima Jo) and became a Christian, and she helped Neesima found Doshisha University.

Under the rule of Shogun Ienari, the samurais and the townspeople are all discontented and grumbling about their lot in life. Amidst all these, there lives a man by the name of Jirokichi, popularly known as Nezumi Kozo. Jirokichi runs a bar with the help of his sister, Kosode. Unbeknownst to everyone, Jirokichi and Kosode are always helping the victimised weak and poor from being bullied by the evil rich. NHK

Fumi becomes Genzui Kusaka’s wife. During the turbulent times of the closing days for the Tokugawa shogunate, she lives positively and tries to keep up Shoin Yoshida's will. Shoin Yoshida is her older brother and intellectual.

Based on the Mitsumei novel series by best-selling author Saeki Yasuhide. Sozaburo Kanasugi is a samurai in the Kyushu countryside. After accepting a secret mission from his daimyo, he leaves his clan and travels alone to Edo to accomplish his task.

Akame Kotoji (Takenaka Naoto), a shabby, middle aged low-ranking samurai of small stature, is a stableman at the suburban villa of Narushima Michihisa, the feudal lord of the desperately poor Kuju domain. One day, he downs litres of alcohol in a drinking contest and misses sending his lord off as he leaves Edo for Kuju. (During the Edo period, feudal lords of every domain were required by the shogunate to spend alternate years in Edo and in their own domains in order to keep them under control. Each feudal lord would have to travel to and from Edo with a procession that included samurai from his domain.) Released from service for this blunder, Akame becomes a wandering samurai. However, he has a big hidden scheme. In the mountains of Hakone, he suddenly appears before the procession of the Wako domain’s feudal lord, whom fencing instructor Furuta Jusaburo (Fujiki Naohito) serves. Plunging right into the middle of the retinue, Akame snatches away the lance, which is the symbol and prestige of a feudal family, without killing anyone. He goes on to steal lances from other processions in acts of retaliation. The Fuki domain is another victim of his attack. Its vassal Murase Jidayu (Takahashi Hideki) hears that it is because of Akame’s grudge against the Narushima family and thinks this is the reason. For Furuta, suffering defeat is out of question. To protect his domain and family, he takes it on himself to meet Murase and proposes an alliance between the Wako, Fuki and Ushizu domains. With the fate of the feudal families in their hands, Furuta and Murase pursue Akame. Each with something to protect, the men fight desperately over the lances. But what is Akame’s motive?

The story opens during the last days of the second Shogun, who has two sons, Iemitsu and Tadanaga. Iemitsu is the elder son and is expected to become the next Shogun. However, the real lion's share of the power is held by the Shogun. The Emperor, who belongs to the Noble class must approve the selection of a new Shogun. This rules governing behaviour for the Nobles are distinctly different from the rules for the Samurai. The main goal of the Nobles is to restore the true governing power to Japan to the Emperor. To accomplish this goal, the Nobles feel the more chaos the better. The Yagyu Conspiracy retells the one of the most exciting and intriguing chapters found in Japanese history...

This is the exciting tale of Young Lord Taihei, who disguises himself as a ronin and goes to Edo to find the lost family treasure, a plover incense burner. With a series of complex plot twists and violent sword action...

Police detective Heiji is assigned to catch the masked Maboroshi gang of robbers who have terrorised all of Edo leaving few clues as to who their leader is. Heiji, best known for his tactic of coin-throwing with deadly accuracy in order to capture criminals leading to his nickname “Zenigata.”

It is brother against brother in this tale of love and betrayal within the famed Yagyu clan. In one of their earliest films together, superstars Ichikawa Raizo and Katsu Shintaro are magnificent as the two finest young swordsmen in the clan. As they vie for the hand of a beautiful woman their loyalty comes into question during an attack on their lord. When one of them masters the secret technique taught to him by Miyamoto Musashi, it leads to bloody violence that can tear the clan apart! Filled with superb swordplay this rare classic is not to be missed!

In one of his signature roles, Okawa Hashizo stars as Zenigata Heiji, the son of a police officer who disowned young Heiji due to his gambling addiciton. However, he decides to follow in his late father's footsteps after his employer's body is found as part of an apparent double-suicide. Heiji decides to investigate the case because the evidence shows a double murder.

During the middle of the Kanei Period (1624-1644) Japan was in the early stages of its most peaceful era. This left a large number of unemployed samurai with nothing to do, and their morale suffered. In order to raise their spirits, the Shogun's Chief Advisor suggests that they hold a "Festival of Swordsmen" in the Shogun's presence. Problems arise when some of the martial artists bring their personal grudges to the competition. When Bushi Shirogoro (OTOMO) meets the daughter of the late Lord SANADA Yukimura sparks fly as she tries to use the competition to carry out her vengeance against Shogun Iemitsu.

This NHK drama tells the story of the Sanada family which rose to prominence in the Sengoku period. Originally serving the Takeda Clan they ruled the Chiisagata District of Northern Shinano, captured Numata Castle in NW Kozuke province, built Ueda Castle, and even defeated an attack by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1585. Prominent Generals of that time period praised them for their military strength and witty strategies, regarding them as prized Warriors of the age. Many legends state that the family also raised and specially trained their own Ninja to carry out reconnaissance missions. These Ninja were also capable Warriors, believed to possess their own superhuman abilities. Their intelligence network for the Sanada Clan is said to spread across the entire country. Legend also says that Sanada Yukimura had 10 Ninja Heroes who took an active part at the Battles of Osaka Castle. They were called the 'Sanada Ten Braves' (Sanada Juyushi). This NHK Drama begins right after the death of Takeda Shingen and continues through the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate and covers roughly the period 1582 - 1615.

This is the tale of three Yakuza gamblers who traveled Japan during the samurai era living by their wits and sword skills. Told in 3 separate vignettes, each part tells the story of a different drifter’s life. This is a superb film, with great action complemented by gripping stories. Part 1: Starring Nakadai Tatsuya is the story of a man on the run after killing 2 Hasshu Officials to avenge his Boss. He must make a life or death decision as he is asked toprotect a gang from attack. Part 2: Starring Matsukata Hiroki and Shimura Takashi as a pair of gamblers chased out of a crooked game who must fight not only their pursuers, but the ghosts of their pasts as well. Part 3: Starring Nakamura Kinnosuke as a wanderer who wants to live according to the Yakuza Code, but is not sure that he can do so when asked to save a town from an evil official.

Kusakabe Gengo, a patrol officer of the Tsukigase domain in Western Japan, gets a visit from his son-in-law, Tsuda Iori. Tsuda probes if it is true that Gengo and the chief retainer, Matsuura Shogen, are truly childhood friends. Gengo and Shogen were childhood friends and went to the same kendo training school. 40 years ago, the two men were bound by such a firm friendship that they avenged Shogen’s parents together. However, they had differing opinions regarding an uprising raised by a mutual friend, Juzo, and fell out 20 years earlier. Gengo is handed a command from the lord of the domain to assassinate Shogen. Shogen, who quelled the uprising with ruthless methods, rose to become the chief retainer, but the rumours are that he has incurred displeasure because he is hindering the rise of the lord of the domain. However, Shogen is known to the public as an artist so it would look bad if he were publicly executed. Gengo, who has been ordered to handle it as a fight due to a personal grudge, searches for the place for Shogen to die. He decides to visit Shogen for the first time in 20 years. When the paths of the two men cross again as they approach old age, fate starts moving again.

Adapted from the 2007 historical novel "Ginkan no Fu" by Hamuro Rin.

On a spring night in 1784, from Kyoto’s Fushimi Magistrate, Kobori Masakata a live gift arrived at this Edo mansion. A woman had been abducted and sent to the mansion with the threat of death to her parents, who were being held in Kyoto’s Rokkaku jail. With their lives in her hands she is ordered to “do her duty” with the evil Senior Councilor Tanuma Okitsugu. This corrupt official had monopolized Shogun Ieharu’s patronage and was unequalled in power. He privatized politics and handed out positions according to the amount he received in bribes. It would take a man in a mysterious purple hood to try and save her and help the townspeople of Edo.

The samurai Sakawa Kojūrō is on the road to Edo with his two servants Genta and Genpachi. Kojūrō is a kindly master, but his character totally changes when he consumes alcohol. On the road, they encounter many different people: a traveling singer with her child, a father taking his daughter Otane to be sold into prostitution, a pilgrim, a policeman searching for a notorious thief, and Tōzaburō, the suspicious man the officer has his eyes on. Genpachi, the spear carrier, is also followed by an orphaned boy named Jirō who wants to be a samurai.

From his early days as a wild youth in Oshu, through his development as one of the great warlords during Japan's historic 'Sengoku' Period (Era Of Warring Clans), this is the story of Date Masamune, the 'One-eyed Dragon'. Shunned by his mother, he always had to prove himself worthy of his position as heir, and then leader. A tremendous story taken from the pages of history, starring the uniquely talented Shibata Kyohei, who was best known for his portrayal of Hideyoshi in 'Taikoki', this made for television movie is not to be missed. The action abounds as he learns to be a master of the battlefield while each feudal lord seeks to assume control of Japan.

Planning to conquer the nation, Oda Nobunaga built Azuchi Castle which had Japan's first multi-storied central tower. For the next 3 years, he sent his men into various lands to subdue the country. Because one of his vassals, Hashiba Hideyoshi, had difficulty in taking Takamatsu Castle in Bichu-no-kuni, he sent Akechi Mitushide out as reinforcement for Hideyoshi. At the same time Nobunaga decides to enter Kyoto. The day before his going into Kyoto, he calls his loyal vassal Ota Nobusada and tells him a secret. In addition he gives Nobusada five wooden boxes for safekeeping. Nobusada was famous for being loyal to Nobunaga to the point of idiocy and was called "Gyuichi" (the Cow). Nobunaga takes a handful of men and proceeds towards Kyoto. Early in the morning 2 days later, Gyuichi learns of Nobunaga's death at Honnoji Temple due to treachery. It was impossible for Nobunaga's small number of men including Mori Ranmaru to withstand Mitsuhide's forces and they were said to have perished in the temple fire. But the strange thing is, Nobunaga's remains could not be found.

Sonny Chiba plays an heir to the Tokugawa Shogunate that was stripped of his title and began life under an assumed name in the Red Light district of Edo. He solves crimes, heals the sick, saves the Geisha from evil Samurai and along the way he teams up with Yagyu Jubei (a role played numerous times by Chiba). Awesome Samurai Action.

The true incidents that led to the vendetta of the 47 masterless samurai are briefly given here. A provincial lord (daimyô) named Asano Naganori was entrusted with the reception of an imperial envoy. He sought guidance in this matter from a more senior lord named Kira Yoshinaka, but he failed to provide the 'gifts' that were expected in such a situation. Kira was therefore displeased with Asano and taunted him, making him draw his sword inside the shogun's palace. The shogun was so outeaged by this act that he ordered Asano to commit seppuku and confiscated all his lands. His household was disbanded and his retainers were made rônin (masterless samurai). 47 of these men, however, includin their former chief Ôishi Kuranosuke, plotted to avenge their lord's death by killing Kira. In the twelfth month of 1703 the 47 retainers successfully attacked Kira's mansion in Edo and took his head. Taking it to Sengaku-ji, the Buddhist temple where lord Asano was buried, they presented it before their lord's grave and then took their own lives by seppuku.

At the time Tokugawa Ieyasu won the battle of Sekigahara, the Uesugis had their vast 1,200,000 koku holdings in Aizu drastically curtailed to 300,000 koku in Yonezawa, Dewa Province. Great numbers give up on the future and leave Yonezawa. In the midst of this, Maeda Keiji remains in this place and chooses to live with people facing difficulties. Over 60, he lives in a shabby, secluded hut and contemplates the “right time”. On the other hand, his son, Shinkuro, objects to Keiji being fond of drinking and absorbed in the cultural pursuits such as poetry, painting and calligraphy, and nothing like the brave general he is famed to be. However, Keiji “performs” when it comes to the crunch. Although he has considered retirement, he is willing to sacrifice himself in order to protect the Uesugis. Shinkuro is gradually fascinated by his broad-mindedness and his way of life.

"When an incident occurred at 7 a.m. on Jan. 2, 1629 in front of the main gate to Edo Castle it set in motion one of the most exciting stories ever told about the early days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Just one day earlier, the Shogun's relatives and high ranking Daimyo lords had paid their New Year's respects. The next day was for lower ranking lords and Hatamoto retained by the Shogun to do the same. Lord Horio Inaba had just switched loyalties from the losing Toyotomi side to that of the Tokugawa and was rudely greeted by a detractor who threw the disloyal samurai and his palanquin into the Edo Castle moat. What followed is a tale not to be missed. A true classic of Japanese history torn from the pages of time." From japanesesamuraidvd.com In the vein of the Lord Mito stories, Lord Okubo is an advisor to the Shogun. He was appointed by the First Shogun (Tokugawa) and now as an old man finds himself often screened from the young Third Shogun by some of the Shogun's councilors. He uses a very unexpected method to right what he perceives as a wrong happening in the Shogunate.

Kumamoto Monogatari is a 2002 DVD release which included three short historical films directed by Takashi Miike, depicting the lives people who lived in Kumamoto, each of which is set sometime in the past. The first story revolves around a young woman who summons a magical being to defeat an invading army, a typical example of how sexual rolemodels tie in to national pride: the girl becomes the Heroine by sacrificing herself ultimately to the masculine destiny of the nation and its Boys, Husbands and Heroes.

During the late Heian era in Japan a famous duel took place between the warrior monk Musashibo Benkei and a slender young man of high rank named Shanao. This was the battle at Gojo Bridge, and while Benkei had taken 999 sword from his vanquished opponents, he was soundly defeated by the young flute-playing samurai. Swearing allegiance to the superior swordsman, Benkei became his loyal vassal and accompanied the young man who went on to fame as Minamoto Yoshitsune, the general who defeated the Taira clan at the Battle of Dan no Ura thus leading the Genji over the Heike as the most powerful clan in the nation. With superb performances by some of Japan's greatest stars, including Satomi Kotaro and Tanba Tetsuro, history comes to life in this action-packed production.

Okawa Hashizo is 'Red Peony' Hanji who is thrown into a prison cell where he gets involved in a plot to steal government gold from the Shogun's vault. A tough fighter, he has to show his ability in order to keep from getting himself killed by the prisoners, too. Co-starring some of the biggest name in movies at the time, including Kataoka Chiezo and Tanba Tetsuro this film is loaded with surprises. From the opening moments when prisoners carry out their own form of justice, killing a crooked ex-constable, it is clear that this is the work of a visionary filmmaker.

One of Japan's most popular folklore characters, Tange Sazen, the One-eyed and One-armed swordsman, must rescue the Yagyu Clan from the treachery of a Master plotting to take over their postion as the Shogun's sword instructors.

On New Year's Day 1716, Munenaga of Owari and Yoshinao of Kii were both named as candidates for the title of 8th Shogun. The wise and just Munenaga is plunged into a dispute with Tokugawa Yoshinao that will lead to one of them ascending the throne. This is an exciting and informative film that brings the brilliant history of Japan to the surface in a new light.

A series of home invasions and brutal murders have struck fear into the hearts of the community lead the townspeople to request the help of Young Lord in finding out who is carrying out these terrible crimes. The appearance of a blood-stained wedding Kimono for a samurai woman makes this on of the most puzzling cases that Young Lord has ever had to solve. Exciting and tension Young Lord is like a Japanese Sherlock Holmes or tele-vision CSI as he strives to decipher the mystery and bring the guilty party to justice!