FESTIVAL OF SWORDSMEN
AKA: THE SWORD AND THE HEAVEN
Starring : OTOMO Ryutaro, WAKAYAMA Tomisaburo, YAMASHIRO Shingo
Directed by: OZAWA Shigehiro
During the middle of the Kanei Period (1624-1644) Japan was in the early stages of its most peaceful era. This left a large number of unemployed samurai with nothing to do, and their morale suffered.
In order to raise their spirits, the Shogun’s Chief Advisor OKUBO Hikozaemon suggests that they hold a ‘Festival of Swordsmen’ in the Shogun’s presence.
Problems arise when some of the martial artists bring their personal grudges to the competition. Starring OTOMO Ryutaro and WAKAYAMA Tomisaburo as two of the strongest swordsmen in the nation, this film is loaded with surprises, and superb action.
When Busshi Shirogoro (Otomo) meets the daughter of the late Lord SANADA Yukimura sparks fly as she tries to use the competition to carry out her vengeance against Shogun Iemitsu.
Tension mounts as the competition nears, and a mysterious ronin (Wakayama) takes on his own vendetta against the popular Shirogoro, risking not only his life, but that of his wife as well.
She is the sister of one of Yagyu’s top sword instructors and has secrets of her own!
1961 Color Widescreen 90 Min.
Japanese with English subtitles
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