Asian Drama

After getting permission to dig up the pawnbroker's grave, Young lord samurai was surprised to find the body was missing, as was the Gosu plate. He had a suspect in mind, and was able to use him to learn of the pawnbroker's hideout and try to piece together the parts of the puzzle. A superb and exciting conclusion to a very clever mystery story set during the Golden Age of Japan. With no easy questions and his life hanging in the balance, can Young lord solve the mystery and regain the valuable plate?

As a result of illness and unemployment, Yamaoka Tatewaki, a "Hatamoto" (or direct vassal of the Shogun), pawned his family heirloom, a valuable Gosu plate for 100 ryo. When, of all occasions, Yokogawa Dewa came to visit and asked to see the Gosu plate on May 5th, Boy's Festival. Yamaoka then sent his steward to borrow the plate back, but the pawnbroker coldheartedly refused. He died soon thereafter of an unknown cause. Soon after that, two warehouses were broken into, but nothing was taken. When Detective Shokichi seeks the help of Young lord samurai, in solving these mysterious crimes that plague the town he takes the case and immediately surmises that the thief was looking for something special. Could the answer be hidden in the coffin of a deceased merchant who had his most valuable things buried with him. The tension mounts and the mystery deepens. Can Young lord solve the case?

Unique song stylings and exciting action highlight this adventure yarn starring everybody's favorite Misora Hibari in a dual role as both Okimi, a woman in charge of an archery gallery, and a tough lad named Shinta, who takes care of a bunch of ruffians trying to take over their operation.

In timeline at least, this is a sequel to director Teshigahara's earlier film Rikyu, which can be found on Asia Torrents here: RIKYU It follows the lives of Princess Go and Lord Oribe Furuhata from just after Rikyu committed 'sepukku' when Hideyoshi Toyotomi was in power until just after Lord Oribe's death when Shogun Ieyasu Tokagawa was in power. Though the daughter of the Lord of the Maeda clan, Princess Goh was adopted at birth by Hideyoshi, the supreme ruler at the time, who until that point had been unable to sire any children. He brought her up almost as a son and spoiled her quite completely. She was very intelligent and became highly skilled in the martial arts. She was also very headstrong and the arrogance of her youth matured into an imperious self-confidence as she aged. Throughout her life she used the more assertive (and usually masculine) form of the first person pronoun (ware) rather than the more socially acceptable, less assertive form generally used by women (watashi). There was nothing reticent or weak about this woman. Her story shows us her youth and early friendship with Lord Oribe during Hideyoshi's reign and then her later life under a virtual house arrest at her family mansion in Kaga. It is her attempt to renew her friendship with Oribe by inviting him to a tea ceremony with Lords Ukon and Tadaoki that stirs up not totally unforseen troubles. Intertwined with her storyline is the life of Lord Oribe who inherits Rikyu's position as Tea Master to Hideyoshi, although that comes with a thinly vieled threat to do better or suffer a similar fate. The film opens with this scene between Hideyoshi and Oribe. It is filled with tension and threat. As an aside, there have been some criticisms of Teshigahara's direction as being stiff, especially in this sort of scene. I would suggest that they come from a complete misunderstanding of the cultural and social millieu where even a nobelman like Oribe had to be very careful of every word and gesture for fear of upsetting a man who could easily have him killed. There is a very clear stiffness and awkwardness underpinned with fear and warriness which I believe is completely intended by the director. Later in the film Oribe finds himself in a similar relationship with Ieyasu. In this case it has to do with Ieyashu's fear of a Christian rebellion and that fact that Oribe's sister had married Lord Ukon the most prominent daimyo to convert to Christianity. Also Oribe's close friend Lord Hosokawa Tadaoki had married a very prominent and influencial noblewoman who converted to Christianity and took the name Gracia. These relationships caused Ieyasu to suspect Oribe's loyalty.

Byakkotai was part of Aizu's four-unit military, set up in the domain's drive to finalize its military modernization, in the wake of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. The other three units were Genbutai, Seiryūtai, and Suzakutai. Each of the four was named after the protecting gods of compass directions. Byakkotai was meant to be a reserve unit, as it was composed of the young teenage 16 to 17 year old sons of Aizu samurai in a group around 350, who fought in the Boshin War (1868–1869).

Tokugawa Chronicles-Ambition of the 3 Branches" tells of the battles between the 3 related families Kishu, Mito, and Owari, as each vies for the shogun’s seat in the line of succession. Highlighting the series are many fights between the young lord’s Negoro ninja helpers and their mortal enemies, the Koga ninja. History comes alive with the bloody blades of the three families at war within the highest levels of government as the search for a new shogun continues!

The 43rd NHK Taiga Drama is Shinsengumi!. The arrival of Commodore Perry's "Black Ships" rudely awakened Japan from 300 years of peaceful isolation from the world. Men set their eyes beyond Japan and began to demand change in society. Old clashed with the new, and thus began an age of turmoil. Amidst this confusion, one group remained true to the old ways and risked their lives to preserve the traditional shogunate system. Led by their charismatic captain, Kondo Isami, the Shinsengumi upheld the code of honor of the samurai. Tales abound of the feats of men like Kondo, Hijikata Toshizo, Saito Hajime, and Okita Soji. This NHK taiga drama brings to life the passion and glory of these men who lived during the most turbulent time in Japanese history. Full of pathos and action-packed, this is a series not to be missed by chambara fans.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

In this tale of bravery and honor among the roving gamblers of old Japan, the heroic Jirocho, Boss of the Tokaido is called upon to help a young yakuza named Eijiro after he runs afoul of the new samurai officials who have taken over his hometown. Expertly portrayed by Kitaoji Kinya (son of the all-time great star Ichikawa Utaemon), this young man stands up for the townspeople and puts his life on the line. Jirocho, played by superstar Nakamura Kinnosuke, a boss known for his honor and valor soon finds himself involved in the feud which will only end in a brutal showdown.

As the shogun's uncle, Lord Mito traveled about the nation seeking to make sure that corruption and injustice did not go unpunished. Traveling together with his two faithful bodyguards Kaku and Suke, they board ship for a voyage to the far northern island of Ezo (modern day Hokkaido) where the indigenous people called "Ainu" live. Somewhat like American Indians, the Ainu had their own culture which had not been subjugated by the Matsumae clan, rulers of the vast island. A revolt is brewing within the leadership of the Ainu, which threatens to destroy their peaceful lives. The elder lord and his retinue are the only ones who can stop this reign of terror!

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

Adventures of Shintaro the Samurai travelling 18th century Japan with his trusted companion Tombei, battling the enemies of the Shogun and the dreaded Iga, Koga, and Fuma Ninjas. The series portrayed the adventures of a roving samurai detective/spy, Akikusa Shintarō (Koichi Ose), whose real identity is Matsudaira Nobuchiyo - the older half-brother of Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun, who is still a minor. Being the son of a concubine, Nobuchiyo has no claim to power, so he assumes the guise of a wandering swordsman named Shintarō to seek out and eliminate plots by rival feudal lords and thus protect his younger brother.

The famous Japanese legend of the enforced suicide of Lord Asano and the epic attempt by his loyal forty-seven samurai to avenge their unjustly punished lord is the basis for this year-long drama.

Madarame Kyutaro is a swordsman who was feared by people at one time. Now, he is poor and lives alone quietly. Kyutaro doesn't know how to earn money without using his sword. By chance, Sakichi happens to see Kyutaro's swordsmanship and offers to hire him for a job. Sakichi wants Kyutaro to kill a white cat named Tama-no-jyo which his boss Yozaemon is fascinated by. According to Sakichi, after Yozaemon began to raise the cat, he changed to a childlike person. Kyutaro initially turns him down thinking its an absurd request, but decides to take the job for the money. When Kyutaro opens the door to where the cat is, he sees the lovely white cat. -

Superstar Nakamura Kinnosuke takes on three separate roles in three short stories by noted author Yamamoto Shugoro who wrote the novels that were adapted into Sanjuro, After The Rain, and the two Dojo Challenger movies, Samurai From Nowhere and Samurai From Somewhere.. 1. Hiyameshi: A younger son of a modest family, often referred as "cold rice", strives to realize his dream of leading an independent life. Too poor to form his own branch, he is relegated to hand me downs from his three older brothers and his collection of rare books having given up on marrying the girl of his dreams. 2. Osan: Carpenter Santa travels throughout Japan in search of his missing wife, whom he had left after she called out another man's name during climax. His journey is complicated by when he encounters other men who may know where Osan is. 3. Chan: Driven to drink as times have changed and people no longer care about quality craftsmanship, poverty stricken brazier maker Jukichi must find ways to make money for his family. Offers have come to join the more modern company started by former comrades, he tries to balance the pride of craftsmanship against his responsibility to support his family.

It is the Edo period during the ninth Shogun Ieshige's reign. Orin's father was falsely accused of attempting to assassinate the former Shogun Yoshimune and in accordance with her father's wishes, Orin joins the secret assassination group Tegusari-nin, headed by Uemura Doestsu. In the organization, Orin fights through many dangers. But one day, she realizes she is being used by Doetsu in order to advance his ambition.

While on the road, famed Yakuza Boss Jirocho is falsely accused of starting a peasant's uprising and chased by the law. Mean-while, one of his henchmen in an attempt to raise money for the Boss gambles away not only all their funds, but their clothing as well. Jirocho, famed for his honesty and integrity must take on the challenge of rival gangs while trying to elude the government's officials at the same time. Things really heat up when the most famous of all Yakuza Bosses, Chuji of Kunisada gets involved. Will he team up with his old friend or is gang warfare about to erupt?

It’s no holds barred when famed Boss Jirocho of Shimizu squares off against rival bosses who have conspired against him in their effort to take over his territory along the Tokaido Road. The alliance of Jirocho and Nikichi must stand tall against all odds when the uncle of one of the Shimizu gang’s relatives is murdered and his wife abducted by a jilted suitor who belongs the Takei gang and the Shimizu gang searches far and wide for him. The action heats up when fire rips through a farmer’s home, breaking Jirocho’s orders to not harm the common folks.

In this dramatic portrayal of the real-life gambling boss Jirocho, a good-hearted and honest boss sets out to take revenge for a fellow boss. At the same time, the other local bosses, in a bid to increase their own power, plot to dispose of Jirocho.

During the reign of Shogun Hidetada, both Hirate Musashi (Kazuo Hasegawa) and Okamoto Musashi (Raizo Ichikawa) strive to become the finest swordsman in the land by defeating the Yagyu clan's top instructors and then taking on Sasaki Kojiro (Shintaro Katsu)! Three of Daiei’s top sword stars combine to create this exciting alternative version of the Musashi legend. Superstar Hasegawa Kazuo leads the cast as Hirate Musashi while a young Ichikawa Raizo competes with him as Okamoto Musashi. They must not only contend with the Yoshioka and Yagyu fencing schools, but have to take on Katsu Shintaro as Sasaki Kojiro, and deal with the women who pursue them for love. Unlike the Yoshikawa Eiji novel which is not historically accurate, this film offers a new view of Japan’s greatest hero!

Three of Japan’s top veteran samurai stars shine in this colour remake of the classic Kobayashi film, Samurai Rebellion. The roles made famous by Mifune Toshiro and Nakadai Tatsuya are taken over by the ever popular Tamura Masakazu and Matsudaira Ken, with the surprise addition of Lady Snowblood’s Kaji Meiko as Suga, the shrewish wife of master swordsman Sasahara Isaburo. Staying true to the original storyline lends authenticity to this new and beautifully executed version. Lord Matsudaira of the Aizu clan has sent his favourite concubine to marry Sasahara’s son Yogoro after she had borne the lord a second son. Bloody violence will erupt when the lord wants her back!

Sasaki Kojiro (1585 - April 14, 1612) also known as Ganryu Kojiro) was a prominent Japanese swordsman, born in the Fukui Prefecture. Kojiro's favored weapon during combat was a straight-edged nodachi with a blade-length of over 90 cm (3 feet) long. As a comparison, the average blade-length of the regular katana seldom surpasses 70 cm. It was called the "Monohoshi Zao" (Clothes-Drying Pole, often translated into English as "The Drying Pole" ). Despite the sword's length and weight, Kojiro's strokes with the weapon were unnaturally quick and precise.

Action and adventure abound in this story of friendship between two rival firefighters, Kichigoro and Jirokichi in old Japan. When Mukai Sadayu, the vassal of Kaga Clan’s accounting officer, Shinagawa Daihachi demands that Omon serve him tea in his mansion and she refuses, the clan’s samurai abduct her setting in motion a series of events that will bring the two firefighters into a world of danger and excitement. Jirokichi, leader of the Edo firefighting team "Ha-gumi" must first rescue Omon from the clutches of the vile Kaga Clan’s retainers.

It's an extravaganza of song and dance when everybody's favorite, Misora Hibari, stars in this highly entertaining samurai tale from noted filmmaker Watanabe Kunio who directed "Chusingura-The Daiei Version" the very same year. The Japanese belief in the mystical powers of the fox are taken to the extreme as Okon is the 'vixen' leading a group of foxes that sometimes steal from the farmers and townspeople.

The early days of the Tokugawa shogunate are brought to light in this exciting historical tale of broken vows and violent swordplay. In an ambush reminiscent of Miike’s 13 Assassins, although pre-dating that incident by 160 years, the heir to the shogun’s seat is brutally cut down by those who hope to install the emperor’s 5th son as military leader of the nation. A cast of big-name stars led by Matsukata Hiroki and Tanba Tetsuro bring their acting and action skills to the forefront. This made for television movie is directed by internationally renowned filmmaker Masuda Toshio (Tora! Tora! Tora!), whose record breaking box office success in Japan makes this a film that highlights a little known incident that helped change Japan’s future.