Shogun's Samurai

Utterly gripping and with Machiavellian twists, director Kinji Fukasu’s historical martial arts epic, also known under the alternative title ‘The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy’, commands your attention from beginning to end.

The year is 1624, and we are transported back to the Edo period. Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada has unexpectedly died, which initially leaves his family members and officials baffled. However, when his food taster (think of a Japanese version of Beefeater) kills himself, rumours of food poisoning quickly emerge - but why was the Shogun killed that way and who is behind it? Digging deeper, we learn that the Shogun’s first son, Lemitsu (Hiroki Matsukata) is, according to tradition and law, next in line to take on his late father’s position but due to the fact that he was always disliked by him due to an unfortunate stammer and an unsightly birthmark on his face, son Nr. 2 - Tadanaga (Teruhiko Saigo) - is chosen as the likely candidate. This annoys Chamberlain Matsudaira (Etsushi Takahashi) and Lady Kasuga (Sanare Nakahara), who clearly favour Lemitsu. On the other hand, the now widowed Oeyo Hidetade (Isuzu Yamada) influences Chief Chamberlain Doi (Shinsuke Ashida) and Lord Owari (Toshiro Mifune) to back Tadanaga. This situation spells good news for noblemen Sanjo Saneeda and Ayamaro Karasumasu, who see the dispute as a chance to overthrow the shogunate and thus waste little time in plotting some mean schemes.

Meanwhile, Chamberlain Doi hires a bunch of ninjas and instructs them to break into the deceased shogun’s burial chamber, remove his heart and have it tested for possible traces of poison. Upon exiting the chamber, the ninjas are ambushed by a group led by Akane (Etsuko Shihomi), the daughter of Lemitsus’ fencing instructor Yagyu (Sonny Chiba), and she brings Yagyu the heart. It is determined that the shogun was indeed poisoned and Lady Kasuga and Chamberlain Matsudaira are the obvious culprits. After further probing, the pair admit to the ‘crime’ but point out that it was necessary as they strongly believe that Lemitsu should be the rightful new shogun and not Tadanaga.
Meanwhile, outside the Hidetada palace, so called Negoro fighters seek to reclaim their Yamato Province lands, which they lost twenty years prior. Enter their leader Sagenta (Hideo Morota), who is now in cahoots with Yagyu, his son Jubei and daughter Akane, who displays formidable martial art skills. The Negoros’ fight for reclaiming their land is initially a subplot but gradually merges with what’s going on inside the shogunate. Confused? It gets considerably more complex and occasionally confusing but it’s really worth sticking with the unfolding action, which offers intrigue, backstabbing and exquisitely staged battle-scenes galore!

SHOGUN’S SAMURAI was director Fukasaku’s (up until then primarily known for his tough-as-nails Yakuza flicks) first foray into the world of historic samurai action thrillers, marked by political intrigue that would give Shakespeare a run for his money.
Now available on 4K Blu-ray and as strictly limited edition (2,000 copies only), the disc comes in a O-card slipcase together with collector’s booklet. Additional bonus material include optional audio options, original theatrical trailers and the hugely informative video essay ‘Echoes of the Present’ by Joe Hickinbottom.