Radiance Films
Blu-ray Release: August 27, 2024
Video: 2.35:1/1080p/Color
Audio: Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English
Run Time: 90:23
Director: Tai Kato
Weary of the rigid codes of the underworld, gambler Tokijiro (Kinnosuke Nakamura) wanders Japan in search of freedom. Escape proves to be impossible when an obligation to a gang boss leaves him with no choice but to kill a man. To atone for his crime, he vows to take care of his victim’s widow and young son. But the gang won’t rest until they’ve killed the entire family, including the man who stands in their way. (From Radiance’s official synopsis)
During the ‘50s and early ‘60s, director Tai Kato was a journeyman for Toei Studios, churning out respectable, influential jidaigeki dramas, such as Warrior of the Wind (Japanese: Kaze no Bushi, 1961) and Cruelty Of The Shogunate’s Downfall (Japanese: Bakamatsu Zankoku Monogatari, 1964). Kato’s films were remembered for their grit, realism, and stylishness, all of which he also brought to a series of crime pictures, including psycho-thriller I, the Executioner (Japanese: Minagoroshi no reika, 1968), three films in the yakuza-themed Red Peony Gambler franchise (1969, ‘70, ‘71), and prison drama Eighteen Years in Prison (Japanese: Choueki juhachi-nen, 1967).
One film that sort of bridges the gap between Kato’s jidaigeki and yakuza work is Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza (Japanese: Kutsukake Tokijiro - yukyo ippiki, 1966), a gangster film that takes place during the samurai era. Masahiro Kakefuda & Naoyuki Suzuki’s screenplay is based on a novel by Shin Hasegawa, a prolific and influential writer whose work and characters have been adapted dozens of times to film. He’s also responsible for the source material for Kato’s In Search of Mother (Japanese: Mabuta no haha, 1962, the fourth adaptation after 1931, ‘38 and ‘55 versions), Masahiro Makino’s Tattoo of Love (Japanese: Irezumi Hantaro, 1963), Hiroshi Inagaki’s The Lone Journey (Japanese: Tabiji, 1955), among others, but, based on number of adaptations, Tokijiro seems to be his most popular work (note that I’m learning all of this as I research for this review and most of the reference material is in Japanese, so I might be missing something vital).
Visually, Kato’s adaptation juxtaposes bloody, dirty reality with richly cinematic celebrations of Japan’s natural beauty, reinforcing Tokijiro’s struggle between a life of violence and redemption. The sword battles are brutal, often glistening with arterial spray, but the stylistic flourishes never overwhelm the underlying bittersweetness. Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza is, at times, perilously fast-paced, throwing its audience into the middle of what feels like the third or fourth chapter in a larger story. It’s never a confusing film, but it requires attention and the occasional interpretation of off-screen events. Though I haven’t read Hasegawa’s book or seen any other adaptation, I’m guessing that the sometimes jagged pacing (mostly relegated to the first act) is the side effect of cramming Hasegawa’s book into 90 minutes. The filmmakers assume that their intended audience is familiar with the story and the rest of us are expected to either keep up or get out of the way. Ultimately, Kato takes his time where it counts, ensuring the maximum emotional impact on the way to the climactic battle.
Bibliography:
Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film by Chris D. (I.B. Tauris, 2005)
The Yakuza Movie Book: A Guide to Japanese Gangster Films by Mark Schilling (Stone Bridge Press, 2003)
Video
I can’t find evidence of Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza being previously released on any English-friendly digital format. It seems unlikely, but I can’t even find evidence of a Japanese disc, so Radiance Film’s limited edition (released simultaneously in the US, UK, and Canada) might be the digital and HD debut of the film. Once again, the 2.35:1, 1080p transfer was handed to the company directly by Toei, so we don’t know what went into the scan or restoration, but it looks nice and matches Radiance’s other Toei Blu-rays. As I said in the review portion, cinematographer Osamu Furuya combines dark grit and ethereal natural beauty, and the transfer is strongest in the contrast between these types of scenes. The colors are consistent and eclectic, but not overly vivid, and textures are complex, but the details and edges are borderline soft (usually on purpose). There’s room for improvement in terms of grain and the finest textures, but there aren’t any notable compression problems.
Audio
Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza is presented in its original Japanese mono and uncompressed 2.0 mono. This is a simple, uncluttered mix that prioritizes dialogue over atmospheric noise. There’s a slight buzz to the higher volume performances, but no crackle, and the sound floor is nice and low. Ichirô Saitô’s dramatic score combines traditional Japanese music with symphonic undertones and organ stings straight out of a daytime soap opera. It sounds quite rich when it’s given the chance to shine and is relatively clear during the more common moments, where it is set beneath the dialogue.
Extras
Interview with Koushi Ueno (16:36, HD) – The critic and historian discusses Kato’s career, his repeated themes, his moral perspective, his significance as an artist, and Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza’s place in the larger Japanese film canon.
Young Master (17:35, HD) – A new visual essay by Japanese cinema expert and Midnight Eye contributor Robin Gatto, who explores the life, family, and career of star Kinnosuke Nakamura (aka: Kinnosuke Yorozuya).
Theatrical trailer
The images on this page are taken from the 1.32:1 and 2.00:1 BDs and sized for the page. Larger versions can be viewed by clicking the images. Note that there will be some JPG compression.
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