Although this is a samurai movie, story is far more than just sword fights. Musashi Miyamoto is perhaps the most famous swordsman in Japan. He starts from a humble beginning to become the best sword fighter in Japanese history.
Based on a novel by Eiji Yoshikawa, the second chapter of Musashi trilogy focuses on years of Musashi's development as a master swordsman. He challenges many famous fighters of his time. This included Yoshioka kendo school. Musashi defeats the headmaster there. This spawns a grudge match between the Yoshiokas and Musashi.
I've read Yoshikawa's novel before seeing the movie, and the fight sequences aren't as gritty as depicted in the novel. This is perhaps the producers intent not to portray Musashi as a mean swordsman.
This chapter also introduces Kojiro Sasaki - a master swordsman who is to become Musashi's arch rival.
You get to see young Toshiro Mifune , Kaoru Yachigusa, and Mariko Okada in their prime delivering their A list performances.
A very classy film that's worth watching.
Based on a novel by Eiji Yoshikawa, the second chapter of Musashi trilogy focuses on years of Musashi's development as a master swordsman. He challenges many famous fighters of his time. This included Yoshioka kendo school. Musashi defeats the headmaster there. This spawns a grudge match between the Yoshiokas and Musashi.
I've read Yoshikawa's novel before seeing the movie, and the fight sequences aren't as gritty as depicted in the novel. This is perhaps the producers intent not to portray Musashi as a mean swordsman.
This chapter also introduces Kojiro Sasaki - a master swordsman who is to become Musashi's arch rival.
You get to see young Toshiro Mifune , Kaoru Yachigusa, and Mariko Okada in their prime delivering their A list performances.
A very classy film that's worth watching.