Kenji MISUMI
Yotsuya Kwaidan
四谷怪談
Nippon Retro ²
Kenji MISUMI’s YOTSUYA KWAIDAN is presumed to be the first colored film version of the famous play. Deviating heavily from the original source, Fuji YAHIRO depicts cold blooded protagonist Iemon as a tragic hero. The “righteous revenge” for his ruthlessly murdered wife leads to the redemption of her evil spirit. The visionary finale is without a question the apex of this underrated masterpiece.
四谷怪談
Yotsuya Kwaidan
Japan 1959
84 minutes
Director
Kenji MISUMI
Script
Fuji YAHIRO based on a play by Nanboku TSURUYA
Cinematography
Yukimasa MAKITA
Production
Daiei
Distribution
KADOKAWA
Cast
Kazuo HASEGAWA, Yasuko NAKATA, Yoko URAJI, Mieko KONDO, Hideo TAKAMATSU
About Kenji MISUMI
Kenji MISUMI, born in 1921, joined the Nikkatsu studio after studying economics in Kyoto. He later moved to Daiei and made BUDDHA, the first Japanese 70mm film, there in 1961. He directed quite a few episodes of the well-known ZATOICHI series. His contributions to the LONE WOLF & CUB series are considered highlights of his filmmaking. He died in 1975.