Ugetsu -Rashomon Renion?

Currently… Frank is working on a 1953 Kenji Mizoguchi film called Ugetsu monogatari. It has all kinds of troubles with the original subtitle layer - often washed in the lack of contrast, or in some cases jumpy text. Basically - lots of hard work.

As we began to so some background on this film, we found that several of the main characters were also stars in Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece, Rashomon. In Ugetsu, Machiko Kyô plays Lady Wakasa and in Rashomon she stars as Masako, Takehiro’s wife. Takehiro is played by Masayuki Mori. Meanwhile back to Ugetsu - Machiko Kyô’s love interest is named Genjurô played by Masayuki Mori. It’s a small world after all!

Also of note - director Kenji Mizoguchi has some really great films to his credit - especially 47 Ronin which is considered by many to be his best. In 1944 - Kenji Mizoguchi directed a film about Japan’s most legendary Samurai - Miyamoto Musashi. Not to be confused with Hiroshi Inagki’s Trilogy, which begins with Samurai One Musashi Miyamoto.

Here’s a few good tips if you are a fan of Samurai battle scenes. Three scenes come to mind immediately…

1) Seven Samurai, final battle scene

2) Throne of Blood - Arrows of Death Scene in part six

3) Samurai Two - Duel at Ichijoji Temple when Takezo takes on 80 guys!