Makai Tenshō
is a historical fantasy novel by Futaro Yamada. It was serialized in Osaka Shimbun newspaper between December 1964 and February 1965 under the title ''Oboro Ninpōchō''. It is a tale in which Mori Sōiken resurrects other dead historical figures to overthrow the Shogunate, while Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi rises to fight him and his warriors of the dead. Plot The tale starts in the Tokugawa shogunate when Yui Shōsetsu meets the old Mori Sōiken, who, in the story, had survived to the Shimabara rebellion and learned the dark arts of ninpou in order to get his revenge. Knowing they both wish for the dethroning of the shōgun, Soiken forms an alliance with Shosetsu and reveals a spell devised by him, the Makai Tensho, which can rise dead people as his puppets. They soon gather an undead army of legendary warriors and sorcerers, among them Amakusa Shirō Tokisada, Miyamoto Musashi, and Araki Mataemon, and plan to use their supernatural skills to destroy the shogunate. However, th ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Historical Fantasy
Historical fantasy is a category of fantasy and genre of historical fiction that incorporates fantastic elements (such as magic (fantasy), magic) into a more "realistic" narrative. There is much crossover with other subgenres of fantasy; those classed as King Arthur, Arthurian, Celts, Celtic, or Dark Ages (historiography), Dark Ages could just as easily be placed in historical fantasy. Stories fitting this classification generally take place prior to the 20th century. Films of this genre may have plots set in biblical times or classical antiquity. They often have plots based very loosely on mythology or legends of Greek-Roman history, or the surrounding cultures of the same era. Overview Historical fantasy usually takes one of three common approaches: # Magic in fiction, Magic, mythical creatures, such as dragons, or other supernatural elements, such as magic rings, co-exist invisibly with the mundane world, with the majority of people being unaware of it. In this, it has a clo ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Yagyū Hyōgonosuke
or — Toshitoshi (利厳) was the founder of the Owari mainline of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū style of swordsmanship in the early Edo period. He was a son of Yagyū Toshikatsu and a grandson of Yagyū Muneyoshi (Sekishūsai). His name is sometimes mispronounced as Toshiyoshi, but the kanji 厳 reading was passed down as "toshi" in the Yagyū family. His ''Zokumyō'' (first name taken at the time of the Genpuku) was originally Chūjirō, and his Kaimyō (Dharma name) was Jo'un-sai ; though he is mostly remembered as Hyōgonosuke. He was favored by the old Sekishūsai over Munenori, who had been recommended to the Shōgun. From 1603 to 1607, he served Katō Kiyomasa. Thereafter, he became an itinerant warrior. Beginning in 1615, he served Tokugawa Yoshinao, the founder of the Owari Province, Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan. He directly instructed Yoshinao in the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū. In legend While the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was staying in Nagoya, Musashi noticed ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Stage Play
A play is a form of drama that primarily consists of dialogue between characters and is intended for theatrical performance rather than mere reading. The creator of a play is known as a playwright. Plays are staged at various levels, ranging from London's West End and New York City's Broadway – the highest echelons of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world – to regional theatre, community theatre, and academic productions at universities and schools. A stage play is specifically crafted for performance on stage, distinct from works meant for broadcast or cinematic adaptation. They are presented on a stage before a live audience. Some dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, have shown little preference for whether their plays are performed or read. The term "play" encompasses the written texts of playwrights and their complete theatrical renditions. Comedy Comedies are plays designed to elicit humor and often feature witty dialogue, eccentric characters, a ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ninja Resurrection
is a two-part Japanese original video animation (OVA) directed by Yasunori Urata and produced by . Based on Futaro Yamada's novel ''Makai Tensho'', the OVA was released from February 1997 to March 1998. Though unrelated narratively, ADV Films marketed ''Ninja Resurrection'' as a ''Ninja Scroll'' sequel during its initial North American release. Plot The Tokugawa era is marked by the violent suppression of Christianity in Japan. After the failed Shimabara Rebellion, its leader Amakusa Shirō is assassinated by government forces. His restless spirit lingers, thirsting for vengeance against those who crushed his followers. The legendary swordsman Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi becomes entangled in this supernatural conflict when tasked with stopping Shirō's demonic resurrection. Years earlier, a young boy named Shirō miraculously survives being shot by anti-Christian soldiers, with the bullet striking a crucifix he carries. The villagers hail him as their messiah. A decade later d ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ninpō Makai Tenshō
, and are terms for the techniques and skills used by spies and scouts in pre-modern Japan known as ninja. Some of these techniques are recorded in ninja scrolls, some which have been published and translated. The study of these scrolls have changed the perception of ninja and ninjutsu. While there are martial arts schools that claim to be modern styles of ''ninjutsu'', the historical lineage of these styles only go as far back as the 1950s. Training The skills required of the ninja have come to be known in modern times as , but it is unlikely they were previously named under a single discipline, rather distributed among a variety of espionage and survival skills. Some view ''ninjutsu'' as evidence that ninja were not simple mercenaries because texts contained not only information on combat training, but also information about daily needs, which even included mining techniques. The guidance provided for daily work also included elements that enable the ninja to understand th ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ken Ishikawa (manga Artist)
was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator (with Go Nagai) of the ''Getter Robo'' anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations. According to Nagai, he considered Ishikawa his greatest friend and ally. Death Ishikawa collapsed at a dinner banquet after golfing; he was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The causes of death was acute heart failure. Influences Kazuki Nakashima, chief editor of the Getter Robo Saga compilation cited Ken Ishikawa as an influence when he worked on the series composition of the anime show, ''Gurren Lagann'', and also gave a memorial address at his funeral. He also calls himself Ken Ishikawa's number one fan. Ishikawa's early art is quite reminiscent of that of his mentor, Go Nagai. An adaptation of Ishikawa's manga ''Gokudō Heiki'' was filmed as '' Yakuza Weapon'' in 2011. The film is dedicated to Ishikawa. Works Manga *''Getter Robo Saga'' (with Go Nagai) **''Getter Robo'' (6 vol) (197 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Hideyuki Hirayama
is a Japanese film director. His theatrical debut was the film '' Maria's Stomach'' in 1990. He won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for '' The Games Teachers Play'' in 1992. In 1995, '' School Ghost Stories'' was a big hit and made into popular series. '' Begging for Love'' in 1998 got many awards as International press award (FIPRESCI) in Montreal World Film Festival, Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year, Mainichi Film Award for Best Director etc. In 2001, Hirayama won Best Director Choice for ''Turn'' at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. He also got several Japanese film awards for director, including the Best Director award for '' The Laughing Frog'' and ''Out'' at the 2003 Yokohama Film Festival. Filmography * '' Maria's Stomach'' (1990) * '' The Games Teachers Play'' (1992) * '' Human Scramble -RAIN-'' (1993) * '' Playing with Good Children'' (1994) * '' School Ghost Stories'' (1995) * '' School Ghost Stories 2'' (1996) * '' Begging ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Samurai Resurrection
is a 2003 Japanese film directed by Hideyuki Hirayama. It is based on the novel of the same name by Futaro Yamada. Cast * Yosuke Kubozuka as Shiro-Tokisada Amakusa * Kumiko Asō as Clara Oshina * Tetta Sugimoto as Yorinobu Tokugawa * Arata Furuta as Inshun Hozoin * Masaya Kato as Mataemon Araki * Kyozo Nagatsuka as Musashi Miyamoto * Kōichi Satō as Jubei Yagyu * Akira Emoto * Arata Furuta as Hozoin Inshun * Jun Kunimura * Katsuo Nakamura as Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami Munenori * Yōji Tanaka is a Japanese actor and tarento. He is often credited as BoBA. Career Born in Kiso, Nagano, Tanaka first began working for Japan National Railways after high school, but often went to the movies, including shows of indie and self-produced films ... References External links * 2003 films Films directed by Hideyuki Hirayama 2010s Japanese films {{2010s-Japan-film-stub ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, television series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was prevalent before streaming platforms came to dominate the TV and movie distribution markets. Because sequels or prequels of larger-budget films may be released direct-to-video, review references to direct-to-video releases are often pejorative. Direct-to-video release has also become profitable for independent filmmakers and smaller companies. Some direct-to-video genre films (with a high-profile star) can generate well in excess of $50 million revenue worldwide. Reasons for releasing direct to video A production studio may decide not to generally release a TV show or film for several possible reasons: a low budget, a lack of support from a TV network, negative reviews, its controversial nature, that it may appeal to a small ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Kinji Fukasaku
was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. Known for his "broad range and innovative filmmaking", Fukasaku worked in many different genres and styles, but was best known for his gritty Yakuza film, yakuza films, typified by the Battles Without Honor and Humanity, ''Battles Without Honor and Humanity'' series (1973–1976). According to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, "his turbulent energy and at times extreme violence express a cynical critique of social conditions and genuine sympathy for those left out of Japan's postwar prosperity." He used a ''cinema verite''-inspired shaky camera technique in many of his films from the early 1970s. Fukasaku wrote and directed over 60 films between 1961 and 2003. Some Western sources have associated him with the Japanese New Wave movement of the '60s and '70s, but this belies his commercial success. His works include the Japanese portion of the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood war film ''Tora! Tora! Tora!'' (1970) ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Sonny Chiba
, known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience. Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984. Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two ''tokusatsu'' superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in '' Seven Color Mask'' (''Nana-iro Kamen'') in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film '' The Street Fighter''. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of E ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Samurai Reincarnation
is a 1981 Japanese dark fantasy film written and directed by Kinji Fukasaku and starring Sonny Chiba, Kenji Sawada, and Hiroyuki Sanada. It is based on the novel of the same name by Futaro Yamada. The film was nominated for three Awards of the Japanese Academy and won two of them. Sanada won best newcomer of the year and Tokumichi Igawa and Yoshikazu Sano took the award for best art direction. The film was nominated for best sound but did not win the award. Plot Following the Shimabara Rebellion, Christian rebellion leader Amakusa Shiro is resurrected, and renounces his God for abandoning him and thousands of Christians to be massacred by the Tokugawa regime, swearing vengeance. Gaining the power to resurrect the dead, he tempts, resurrects and recruits the betrayed samurai wife Hosokawa Gracia, unfulfilled legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, and Buddhist monk Hozoin Inshun, who represses his sadistic desires, to join his cause as regret-filled demons. Yagyu Jubei, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |