Sadly only about 12 minutes of foot­age survive from this stylish silent film, but this version, incorporating fragments held by private collectors, is the most complete available. The film recounts an early episode in the life of a histor­ical samurai, Yasube Nakayama, who ultimately participated and perished in the celebrated vendetta of the 47 Ronin. Ito filmed on location in the countryside around Takadanobaba, now absorbed into the Tokyo metropolis.

“Kinema Junpo” critic Kizuo Uchida wrote that Ito’s artistic aspirations were compromised by the priorities of com­mercial entertainment cinema, and did not think the film one of its director’s best. He acknowledged, however, that his “characteristically fine and sharp sen­sibility is shown at targeted moments”, and praised the final showdown, where “one sees again Ito’s outstanding film­ic expression, his wonderful revolving rhythmic speed and momentum”.

Ito reminisced amusingly about the film, noting that Nikkatsu’s powerful production department refused to supply extras for the crowd scenes. “I had no choice but to put costumed actors in the front rows and film the real spectators who’d gathered for the location shoot as the crowd behind.” Thanks to Hiromitsu Karasawa’s swinging camera movements, the fact that some people were in Western dress went unnoticed.

Alexander Jacoby e Johan Nordström