Overview: 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 colors and daring shot compositions bringing to life a timeless tale of honor 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.

Blu-ray Verdict: It is 1907 in Osaka during the Meiji Restoration period of Japan. Construction companies (yakuza) are competing to win big contracts to contribute to the industrialization of the country. The two main companies (gangs) are the Kiyatastu group and the Hoshino group. During a festival the elderly boss of the Kiyatatsu group is attacked and stabbed in the back by a hit man.

He survives and manages to identify his attacker to the police. It is painfully obvious the Hoshino group sent this would be assassin to jeopardize a big contract coming up with the Nomura construction company who want to buy cement from the Kiyatatsu group. Sadly, they have no evidence to prove their accusations.

The elderly boss is slowly dying from his injuries and has to name a successor. He has Asajiro in mind as he is a level headed and mature yakuza who will obey him even after death. The boss has one son who is a loud mouthed whoring drunk who believes he will become the next boss. The boss dies and Asajiro takes control making the irresponsible son a manager of the construction business which helps him get over his drunken antics and makes him grow up. The Hoshino group are not happy with this outcome, however.

The young son is attacked and a travelling yakuza guest of the Kiyatatsu family is murdered in front of him. Asajiro becomes enraged at this and strips down to the waist showing his tattoos and goes on a mission with his sword and revolver. To avoid the police patrolling outside the Hoshino group headquarters he jumps on the roof of a train and dives into their window stabbing, slashing and shooting anyone in his way.

He kills all that stand in his way involved in the sabotage and murder of his group and business. He is then, in true ninkyo film style, arrested and taken to gaol while the obligatory enka music plays sung by the star of the film Koji Tsuruta.

Tai Kato directed this film with some of the usual suspects like Toru Abe, Kanjuro Arashi, Tetsuro Tanba and a young Junko Fuji. This was before Fuji had her own 8 film Red Peony Gambler series. Her uncle was director Norifumi Suzuki, who did many films for Toei studios in the 70’s, and he actually co-wrote this film. Veteran actor Masahiko Tsugawa (who sadly died last year) plays the son. People will recognize him from the Juzo Itami comedies of the 80’s and 90’s. [D.T.]

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
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

Official Purchase Link

www.radiancefilms.co.uk