Details
HITORICA FOCUS
Tai Kato brings his version of Nezumikozo to life
Jirokichi sneaks into a daimyo’s mansion and is questioned by a court lady that looks exactly like his lover. Upon his return home, Jirokichi finds his village stricken by horrible famine, and his sweetheart Otaka was about to get trafficked. Jirokichi leaves the village with Otaka and her younger brother Kichigoro to relocate to Edo together. On the road, however, a misunderstanding happens and Otaka disappears. Feeling sorry for Kichigoro crying for his sister, he sneaks back to the mansion and obtains agreement from the court lady to act as Otaka for a day. On the day of the promise, Jirokichi and Kichigoro waits for the lady to no avail. Frustrated Kichigoro goes up to the mansion and is killed by runaway horses. The lady was unable to come because she was summoned by her lord. A few years later, a curious thief started breaking into daimyo mansions. Going by the name of Nezumi Kozo, the thief was, in fact, a completely changed Jirokichi.
Director Tai Kato
Actor Hashizo Okawa, Kyoko Kagawa, Tomohito Sumita, Kyoko Aoyama, Jun Tatara, Sounosuke Sawamura
Japan｜ 1960｜ 91min｜ ｜ Toei｜
- Human Drama
director
Tai Kato [Film Director]
Tai Kato was born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1916. Mesmerized by silent films including the works of Daisuke Ito, he entered the film industry with the help of his uncle Sadao Yamanaka. After his directorial debut in 1951, he shot jidaigeki period films and yakuza films mainly in Toei. After the 1960s, he worked on large-scale films with various studios beyond the constraints of cinematic genres. He established his position in the industry with his long takes using cameras fixed at a low angle as well as his action scenes filled with primal cinematic joy. Kato’s directorial gaze told stories of people living passionately outside the bounds of society, creating scenes where life occupied every inch of the wide screen. His works were featured in the 1998 Locarno International Film Festival, which came as a great surprise to cinephiles. Kato passed away in 1985 at the age of 68.
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