Sword Devil
Director: Kenji Misumi
Year: 1965
Rating: 7.0
Aka - Ken Ki
An interesting take on Chanbara films from
one of the masters - Kenji Misumi who directed many of the Zatoichi, Sleepy
Eyes of Death and Lone Wolf and Cub films. That is sort of the Holy Trinity
of Samurai series during the 1960s. This one is none of those. Instead it
delves into the intrigue within a Lord's castle and the strict class structure
within the Samurai rankings and those on the outside. It takes place during
a period of peace in Japan - all the civil wars are over and Samurai have
no wars to fight in. Many Samurai were let go and became Ronin. And Edo had
the right to confiscate a Lord's land if there was no successor when the
Lord died or if there were internal problems.
Hanpei's mother Okin was an attendant to
Lady Makino who lost her mind and died but before she did she elevated Okin
in the court and asked her to take care of her beloved dog. Okin gets pregnant
by an unknown person and dies during childbirth to Hanpei. Because of Lady
Makino's bequest he has to be taken care of and is given to the care of a
Samurai of lower rank. The joke that goes around is that it was the dog that
fathered Hanpei and this follows him all his life. Hanpei translates to "spot"
(as on a dog) and "lower" as in his rank in society. When Hanpei is twenty-three
his adopted father dies with the advice that Hanpei learn some skill and
keep it secret.
First he becomes a horticulturalist and
grows flowers for the Lord, the son of Lady Makino. But one day while in
the forest he sees a ronin practicing his skill - the quick-draw - kill -
and put sword back for the next draw. This fascinates Hanpei and he learns
by watching. Learns too well as he is asked by one of the ranking Samurai
to kill a spy. The Lord is going crazy and if word gets back to Edo they
will take away the land. Hanpei has another skill - speed - he is like the
roadrunner and can catch horses on foot and does and kills the spy. He likes
it. It makes him feel special. He gets more assignments - eventually some
within the castle who want to replace the Lord.
Hanpei is played by Raizô Ichikawa
so you know the swordplay will be clean and swift. He gives his character
a complexity - a yin and yang - the man who loves growing flowers and is
in love with a vegetable seller (Michiko Sugata) who won't believe that Hanpei
is a killer - and the feeling of exultation he feels for completing an assignment.
In a strange sense Hanpie has turned into the dog people have called him
- his superior tells him to fetch as in kill and he goes without question.
Good film with a big finish as you might expect with this director.
