Tadashi Ashihara

Akagi no komori-uta

Film directed by Tadashi Ashihara

黒姫秘帳 前篇 奪われた鬼面、後篇 不知火の美女

In the Kyōhō era under the Tokugawa shogunate, a conspiracy to usurp the household unfolded at Shinshū Kurohime Castle. The lord, Yūki Takanobu (played by Kurama Hayatarō), was targeted by his concubine O-Ran (Ayukawa Tōshiko) and her son Harunosuke, conspiring with the evil steward, Ōnuki Jūtayū (Kagawa Ryōsuke). Takanobu was assassinated by Jūtayū's swordsman Totsuka Denpachirō (Morozumi Keijirō) during a hunting expedition. The righteous elder retainer, Mizuki Shōzaemon, faced a crisis after supporting the legitimate heir, Takechiyo.

Mud and Soldiers

A group of Japanese soldiers land in Chinese territory. They advance on a village ; one soldier, Norimoto, is killed in the attack, but the village is captured. Norimoto’s body is recovered and buried. Over the next two days, the soldiers advance inland. Two more soldiers, Naito and Takahashi, are injured. They remain behind to recover, but vow to catch up. Their comrades march on...