| Morio Kazama, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Tomoyasu
Hotei, Tamaki Ogawa, Mari Natsuki, Taketoshi Naito .
Simultaneous parodying and paying tribute to classic Japanese samurai
films, Samurai Fiction marries a knowing satire of the dramatic
elements of movies about traditional Japanese warriors with exciting,
straightforward fight sequences. In 1696, the Shogun's samurai keep
the peace in a divided land as Inukai (Mitsuru Fukikoshi) studies
the way of the warrior. The son of his clan's hereditary leader,
Inukai has a short temper and isn't especially smart; when his clan's
prized traditional sword is stolen by their nemesis, Kazamatsuri
(Tomoyasu Hotei), he's sent to look for it, but just to be safe,
two other samurai are sent along -- Kurosawa and Suzuki. Kazamatsuri,
however, makes short work of the two veteran warriors, and Inukai
escaped, wounded, to the home of Mizoguchi (Morio Kazama). Mizoguchi
welcomes him into his home, espousing the virtues of pacifisms,
while his lovely daughter Koharu (Tamaki Ogawa) nurses him back
to health. However, after Kazamatsuri re-emerges as a bodyguard
for a female gambling tycoon, Okatsu (Mari Natsuki), Inukai realized
he must meet Kazamatsuri again for a final battle. Tomoyasu Hotei,
who plays the villain, is also a popular and acclaimed guitarist
in Japan, and he also scored this film. |