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Kenji Misumi’s Sword Trilogy

Kenji Misumi’s Sword Trilogy

3 Episodes

Originator of the hugely popular ZATOICHI and LONE WOLF AND CUB franchises, Kenji Misumi was a master of the chanbara (“sword fighting”) genre who brought thrilling stylistic flourishes and unique psychological and emotional depth to his many classic films. Among his finest achievements, the three thematically linked works that make up his so-called Sword Trilogy—all starring Raizo Ichikawa—combine breathtaking visuals with complex explorations of family, tradition, heroism, masculinity, and violence.

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Kenji Misumi’s Sword Trilogy

3 Episodes

  • Kiru
    1:11:40
    Kiru
    Episode 1

    Kiru

    Episode 1

    Directed by Kenji Misumi • 1962 • Japan
    Starring Raizo Ichikawa, Shiho Fujimara, Shigeru Amachi

    An epic chanbara (sword-fighting film) in compact form, KIRU (a.k.a. DESTINY’S SON) depicts the life of Shingo Takakura (Raizo Ichikawa), a master samurai with a mysterious past and an unvanquishable ...

  • Ken
    1:35:22
    Ken
    Episode 2

    Ken

    Episode 2

    Directed by Kenji Misumi • 1964 • Japan
    Starring Raizo Ichikawa, Akio Hasegawa, Chikako Miyagi

    The only film among Kenji Misumi’s seventy-plus titles to feature a contemporary setting, KEN explores the conflict between ancient traditions and modern values in a Japanese society torn from its root...

  • Kenki
    1:23:33
    Kenki
    Episode 3

    Kenki

    Episode 3

    Directed by Kenji Misumi • 1965 • Japan
    Starring Raizo Ichikawa, Rokko Toura, Asao Uchida

    Raizo Ichikawa plays the reluctant warrior to perfection in KENKI, the final installment of Kenji Misumi's Sword Trilogy and, as adapted from another Renzaburo Shibata novel, a brazenly unique hybrid of the...

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