Shinobi No Mono - Ninja Band of Assassin
8 DVD SET
Starring : Ichkawa Razio
Shinobi No Mono, the name that brought fear to their enemies. There have only been a few projects that accurately depicted these skilled warriors. The Shinobi No Mono series is one of the best! Hollywood tried to glamorize the lifestyles of these simple but skilled men and women. Ninjutsu as a martial arts is a culmination of many practical disciplines. These nimble ninja wore masks to protect their identity and wore clothing that fit in with their environment just as the military wear fatigues. This is about their story.
Ninja 1:
The first realistic film about the mysterious Japanese warriors called Ninja. Before this film, Ninja were usually portrayed as supernatural beings who hurled thunderbolts at their enemies.
The ninjutsu master Hatsumi Masaaki provided the fighting direction.
Set in 1575, it tells the story of how two Ninja Clans, the Iga and Koga each try to assassinate the great warlord Oda Nobunaga. Under orders to kill Oda for revenge after he burned the temples, the two groups each try to outdo each other in their efforts to end his reign. As portrayed by Wakayama Tomisaburo, the warlord is imperious and brutal in his treatment of the Ninja. Real Ninja tactics and techniques are shown for the first time.
The story centers around Ishikawa Goemon (Ichikawa Raizo), who became one of history’s best known Ninja warriors, and the way he is forced to carry out the assassination even after he tries to leave the clan.
Ninja 2:
After leaving his Ninja Clan, Goemon continues in his assignment to assassinate the great warlord, Oda Nobunaga.
The second part of the Ishikawa Goemon trilogy contains many more authentic Ninja tactics, and also paints a picture of the “Warring States” period in Japanese history.
Another great example of how well Japanese movies are made. Outstanding action, with an intelligent story that brings one to the exciting era of the Ninja warrior!
Ninja 3:
The saga of Ishikawa Goemon continues as he attempts to assassinate Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord that succeeded Oda Nobunaga, and even manages to gain access to Toyotomi castle.
Many more secret Ninja tactics are revealed in this film, and as usual, the story is easy to follow, and makes good sense. The historical, and cultural world of Japan is expertly brought to the screen in this exciting film.
Ninja 4:
It’s now 14 years after the Battle Of Sekigahara changed the course of Japanese history, and the first Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu is trying to hunt down any surviving members of the Toyotomi forces. Lord Sanada Yukimura, an enemy of the Tokugawa is about to commit Seppuku, when his top Ninja agent Kirigakure Saizo convinces him to keep on fighting, and they escape. Sanada, as portrayed by Wakayama Tomisaburo, is a fine man haunted by the loss to the villainous Shogun.
Ichikawa Raizo’s character Saizo of the Mist, is a Ninja warrior of extraordinary ability, and he takes on the task of assassinating the Shogun. Along with many more previously secret Ninja techniques, this most interesting story now has the Toyotomi forces as the sympathetic side, and vengeance being carried out on his behalf!
Ninja 5:
Staying one step ahead of the Shogun’s forces, “Mist” Saizo tries to save the Sanada Clan, and avenge the death of his lord by assassinating the first Tokugawa Shogun.
Following the first four films in this remarkable series, more previously unknown Ninja skills are shown to the world for the first time.
The action heats up as Saizo single-handedly attacks the Shogun’s Palace!
Ninja 6:
Spanning the years 1637 to 1651, this film tells the story of Saizo’s son, Kirigakure Saisuke, who after seeing his father die at the Battle Of Shimabara, grows up to be an expert Ninja.
Before he dies, “Mist” Saizo tells his children Saisuke, and Yuri that they are not really brother and sister. She, in fact, is the daughter of the late lord Sanada Yukimura, and must be saved from the Shogun’s forces.
The most powerful force behind the Shogun is the brilliant strategist Lord Matsudaira Izunokami, who together with Genshinsai, another famous Ninja agent drawn from real-life, and the mysterious Lady Ninja seek to cement the power of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
One of the most action packed entries in the series, it features many exciting secrets techniques of Ninjutsu.
Ninja 7:
Saizo of the Mist returns for the final time as he and the Iga Ninja try to assassinate the first ShogunTokugawa Ieyasu, in order to avenge the death of Lord Sanada Yukimura.
But first they must contend with Ieyasu’s own Ninja warriors, led by the powerful Fuma Daijuro, who has a score to settle with the men of Iga that dates back 280 years to the war between the Genji and the Heike at the Battle of Dan-no-Ura.
This is one of the best entries in the series and the personal favorite of noted Japanese film expert, Chris D. Tremendous fighting and great plot twists highlight this exceptional look into the lives of the mysterious Ninja of Japan.
Ninja 8:
Kind of a prequel to the rest of the series, this film is set in the mid to late 1500’s when Takeda Shingen was vying for power in the early years of the Warring States Period. A young boy witnesses the murder of his father, a Ninja who had developed a powerful explosive, and grows up seeking revenge.
When grown up, the youth (Ichikawa Raizo) has to not only learn the techniques of being a Ninja, he must also find out who the 3 men were that committed the crime before he can take his revenge.
The story line, while reminiscent of the Western classic NEVADA SMITH, where Steve McQueen had also seen his family murdered by 3 unknown men, brings even more great Ninjutsu training techniques to the world that had previously been top secret.
The first 4 DVDs are Remastered Print.
1962 - 1966 B/W Widescreen
Packed into a 8-disc case with case artwork.
Japanese Language with English Subtitle.
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