Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Chinese Jade (1963)
Alternate Title: 眠狂四郎殺法帖 (Nemuri Kyôshirô: Sappôchô)
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
Nemuri Kyoshiro, a cynical and masterful ronin, becomes entangled in a web of corruption and ambition. Approached by both sides of a conflict, he discovers that the leader of the Kaga clan, believing he has eliminated his smuggling partner, fears exposure of his illegal activities. Unbeknownst to him, his partner survives and, with the aid of a Shorenji boxing master, seeks revenge and the recovery of his loot. Amidst this turmoil, the beautiful Chisa is sent to enlist Nemuri’s assistance, leading him to confront his own emotions and the complexities of honor and love.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Tokuzô Tanaka
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Tamao Nakamura as Chisa
- Shinobu Araki
- Saburô Date
- Jun Fujikawa
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Chinese Jade (1963)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- BrianNaas – ★★★½
“This is the first in a series of twelve films starring Ichikawa Raizō that ran from 1963 until his death in 1969 from cancer. The character he plays is a master swordsman of the Full Moon Cut Technique named Nemuri Kyōshirō, an orphan and a ronin.”
- Edwin Toonen – ★★★★
“Nemuri Kyoshiro, the cynical and masterful samurai with the Full Moon Cut technique! Wow, I finally started watching this epic series. I was holding off until I had the series complete, but as I am still waiting for #4 I couldn’t hold it any more.”
- Oob – ★★
“For a movie franchise touted for its graphic violence and nihilistic anger, Sleepy Eyes of Death Vol. 1: The Chinese Jade starts the series off in a rather lackluster fashion.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade (1963) introduces Nemuri Kyoshiro, a cynical ronin entangled in a complex web of corruption and ambition. Directed by Tokuzô Tanaka and starring Raizô Ichikawa, this action-drama marks the beginning of a renowned Japanese film series.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Adventure (1964)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô: Shôbu
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
Wandering samurai Nemuri Kyoshiro befriends Asahina, the shogunate’s strict financial adviser, who has incurred the wrath of Princess Taka by cutting off her allowance. In retaliation, the princess devises a scheme to eliminate both Asahina and Kyoshiro, leading to a series of confrontations that test Kyoshiro’s skills and resolve.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kenji Misumi
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Shiho Fujimura
- Kôichi Aihara
- San’emon Arashi
- Shinjirô Asano
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 2: Sword of Adventure (1964)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- Logan Kenny – ★★★½
“The second Sleepy Eyes film I’ve seen—after ‘Sword of Fire’—and pleased to say, one of the finer samurai flicks I’ve seen as of late. Compact runtime, easy to follow story, nice touches of emotional and existential depth, and instances (one scene in particular) of DYNOMITE action.”
- Michael Elliott – ★★★½
“The second film in the series is a step up from the first thanks in large part to a more interesting story and better action scenes. Raizo Ichikawa is once again very good in the lead role and director Kenji Misumi does a fine job with the material.”
- Chris – ★★★★
“A solid entry in the series with some great swordplay and an engaging story. Raizo Ichikawa continues to impress as the enigmatic Kyoshiro.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 2: Sword of Adventure (1964), directed by Kenji Misumi, follows the enigmatic samurai Nemuri Kyoshiro as he becomes entangled in a deadly plot orchestrated by Princess Taka. After befriending the shogunate’s financial adviser, Kyoshiro faces numerous challenges that test his martial prowess and moral compass. Starring Raizô Ichikawa, this action-packed drama delves into themes of honor, betrayal, and survival in feudal Japan.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Full Circle Killing (1964)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô: Engetsugiri
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Action
Plot Synopsis:
In feudal Japan, the shogun’s illegitimate son commits a brutal decapitation, leading to the nomadic swordsman Nemuri Kyoshiro being wrongfully accused of the crime. As Kyoshiro seeks to clear his name, he becomes entangled in a sinister plot where the shogun’s concubine orchestrates the elimination of legitimate heirs to secure power for her own son.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Kyôko Azuma as Konami
- Ryônosuke Azuma
- Saburô Date as Flying Squirrel Banzo
- Yûko Hamada as Okita
YouTube Trailer:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing (1964)
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing (1964), directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, follows the enigmatic swordsman Nemuri Kyoshiro as he is falsely accused of a heinous crime committed by the shogun’s illegitimate son. Navigating a treacherous landscape of political intrigue and assassination plots, Kyoshiro confronts formidable adversaries to restore his honor.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Seduction (1964)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô 4: Joyôken
Genre: Action, Drama, Samurai
Plot Synopsis:
In this fourth installment of the “Sleepy Eyes of Death” series, the enigmatic ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro becomes entangled with a fugitive Christian “saint” and a sadistic, drug-addicted princess. As he navigates a web of intrigue involving ruthless smugglers and corrupt officials, Kyoshiro confronts his own dark past and the complexities of his moral code.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kazuo Ikehiro
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Michiko Ai as Princess Kiku
- Shiho Fujimura
- Hajime Koshikawa
- Shinjirô Asano
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction (1964)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- Oob – ★★★☆☆
“Four chapters into the series, Sleepy Eyes of Death finally gets interesting. And, man, I mean interesting. First off, Sword of Seduction thankfully tones down the ickier aspects of roaming ronin/nihilist-for-hire Nemuri Kyoshiro, and yes, by ‘tones down’ I mean that he doesn’t rape anyone this time around. (Amazing how not engaging in sexual assault improves your likeability.)”
- FireBreathing – ★★★☆☆
“Interesting watch. I enjoyed the blazes out of the first three films in this series. This one is still very good, but also quite dark and bleak, very difficult to love. Kyoshiro is becoming quite an antihero, cynical, ruthless, ‘unworthy,’ and yet still compelling, even if you wouldn’t want to get close enough for a hug.”
- Claggart – ★★★½☆
“Stylistically a step-up from the previous entries, with the Full Moon Cut now portrayed using nifty time-lapse photography and an almost surrealist touch to some sequences. The storytelling logic is perplexing even by the standards of this series, but the film is never boring.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction (1964), also known as Nemuri Kyôshirô 4: Joyôken, is a Japanese action-drama directed by Kazuo Ikehiro. The film follows the enigmatic ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro as he becomes entangled with a fugitive Christian “saint” and a sadistic, drug-addicted princess, confronting his own dark past and moral complexities.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Fire (1965)
Alternate Title: 眠狂四郎炎情剣 (Nemuri Kyôshirô: Enjôken)
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In the fifth installment of the “Sleepy Eyes of Death” series, the enigmatic ronin Kyoshiro Nemuri intervenes to save a woman under attack. This act entangles him in a complex conspiracy involving a corrupt chamberlain, a cunning merchant, remnants of a pirate gang, and a hidden treasure.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kenji Misumi
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Kyoshiro Nemuri
- Tamao Nakamura as Nui Higaki
- Michiko Sugata as Kayo
- Sanae Nakahara as Oryô
- Kô Nishimura as Tahei Narumiya
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Fire (1965)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- BrianNaas – ★★★½
“In my review of the fourth in this series, I asked whether the film company would begin to give him a more positive character or a lesser one. This fifth in the series about swordsman Nemuri Kyoshiro partly answers that question.”
- Jimmy – ★★½
“Got to say I was a little disappointed but I still want to watch the next one in the series so I guess it was a slight success.”
- Sidekickwave – ★★★
“Unsurprisingly Kenji Misumi does a great job with the direction even if the script falls back into sleepy eyes convolution.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 5: Sword of Fire (1965) is the fifth film in the Japanese action-drama series directed by Kenji Misumi. It follows the ronin Kyoshiro Nemuri as he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving corrupt officials and hidden treasure.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Satan (1965)
Alternate Title: 眠狂四郎魔性劍 (Nemuri Kyōshirō: Mashōken)
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In the sixth installment of the “Sleepy Eyes of Death” series, Nemuri Kyōshirō, the enigmatic swordsman, becomes entangled in a political conspiracy involving a young boy named Tsurumatsu, who is destined to become a clan lord but aspires to be a carpenter. When Tsurumatsu is kidnapped, Kyōshirō must navigate treacherous schemes and confront formidable adversaries, including the seductive and dangerous Orin, to rescue the boy and prevent a clan’s downfall.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Cast:
- Raizō Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyōshirō
- Michiko Saga as Orin
- Machiko Hasegawa as Otsuya
- Masako Aboshi as Oito
- Noriko Hodaka as Sae
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Satan (1965)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- David – ★★★½
“Nemuri Kyōshirō is certainly less of a villain here, hardly even an anti-hero—more just a grouchy hero. The script is waaaaay less convoluted than usual for this series, with characters whose actions actually make a fair amount of sense.”
- BrianNaas – ★★★☆☆
“The sixth in the Sleepy Eyes of Death series starring Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyōshirō. Three of the series were produced in 1964 but Raizô was knocking out one Samurai film after another.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 6: Sword of Satan (1965) is the sixth film in the Japanese action-drama series directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda. It follows the mysterious swordsman Nemuri Kyōshirō as he intervenes in a clan’s succession crisis, facing deadly foes and intricate plots.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Mask of the Princess (1966)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô: Tajôken
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In the seventh installment of the “Sleepy Eyes of Death” series, Nemuri Kyoshiro faces Princess Kiku, the Shogun’s daughter, who seeks revenge after being humiliated by him. She orchestrates multiple assassination attempts, employing ninjas and elaborate schemes, but Kyoshiro remains steadfast, confronting each challenge with his unparalleled swordsmanship.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Akira Inoue
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Yaeko Mizutani
- Ichirô Nakatani
- Michiko Ai as Princess Kiku
- Tamotsu Fujiharu
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: The Mask of the Princess (1966)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- BrianNaas – ★★★½
“In this seventh film, Nemuri Kyoshiro contends with an army of ninjas sent by a mad Princess. He also protects a 15-year-old virgin, faces a samurai studying him to kill him, and deals with women who love yet betray him. A solid entry with Nemuri as enigmatic as ever.”
- JSlattery – ★★★½
“A strong addition to the series, featuring intense action sequences and a compelling storyline. Raizô Ichikawa delivers a captivating performance as Nemuri Kyoshiro.”
- DirtyLaundri – ★★★★☆
“While the world around him becomes wackier, Nemuri mellows down. This time, he even does the unthinkable: walking into the sunset not alone but with a follower he tolerates. Despite the gimmicky style, it’s an effective and engaging film.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 7: The Mask of the Princess (1966) is a Japanese action-drama directed by Akira Inoue. The film follows Nemuri Kyoshiro as he confronts Princess Kiku’s relentless attempts at revenge, showcasing intense swordplay and intricate plots.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy (1966)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô 8: Buraiken
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
Nemuri Kyoshiro uncovers a conspiracy led by a group of disgruntled samurai seeking to avenge their sensei’s assassination. Their plan involves setting fire to oil refineries owned by two wealthy merchants, aiming to ignite a massive inferno that will engulf Edo Castle.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kenji Misumi
- Writers:
- Daisuke Itô
- Renzaburô Shibata
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Kyôshirô Nemuri
- Shigeru Amachi as Aizen
- Shiho Fujimura as Katsumi
- Kentarô Kudô as Kotetsu
- Ryûzô Shimada as Isa
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- darkreif – ★★★★☆
“After the surprisingly successful quality of the previous entry, it was hard not to jump into Sleepy Eyes of Death 8: Sword of Villainy with some high expectations. Not that this series has always been the most consistent with quality overall, but the seventh entry managed to produce a well-executed film with some lofty and offbeat gimmicks, and this eighth entry was bringing back one of Japan’s finest genre directors to helm it, Kenji Misumi.”
- chewie837 – ★★★★☆
“Oh my god! A genuinely good Sleepy Eyes of Death movie! Best in the series! Aizen is pretty easily the best antagonist in any of these movies, with only Chen Sun from the first few movies coming close. He’s clever and driven and actually kinda scary. Raizo Ichikawa is barely even in the first half hour of this, and it’s a very smart choice.”
- Briannaas – ★★★☆☆
“What’s going on here? Suddenly Kyôshirô Nemuri has gone soft on us? The protector of the people, stray kids, and a woman looking for revenge. Perhaps by the eighth film in the series, the producers thought it was time to give him some humanity.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 8: Sword of Villainy (1966), directed by Kenji Misumi, follows Nemuri Kyoshiro as he uncovers a plot by samurai seeking vengeance for their sensei’s assassination. Their plan to incite chaos by setting fire to oil refineries threatens Edo Castle, leading Kyoshiro into a complex web of intrigue and action.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: A Trail of Traps (1967)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô 9: Burai-Hikae Mashô no Hada
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In the ninth installment of the Sleepy Eyes of Death series, the enigmatic ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro is tasked with escorting a valuable gold statuette of the Virgin Mary from Edo to Kyoto. Along the journey, he faces the Black Finger Group, a sect of Christian swordsmen intent on seizing the artifact. Amidst these challenges, Kyoshiro uncovers personal revelations, including rumors of a sister residing in Kyoto.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kazuo Ikehiro
- Writers:
- Hajime Takaiwa
- Renzaburô Shibata
- Cast:
- Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Haruko Wanibuchi as Chisa
- Mikio Narita as Ukon Saegusa
- Naoko Kubo as Oen
- Nobuo Kaneko as Shurinosuke Asahina
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: A Trail of Traps (1967)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- BrianNaas – ★★★½
“This is the ninth in the Sleepy Eyes of Death film series relaying the adventures of ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro and his killing sword. This one is both plot-heavy and somewhat episodic with his first kill not occurring till the 50th minute. He is usually well-past that by then.”
- Jrd_73 – ★★★★☆
“The Ninth film in The Sleepy Eyes of Death series is titled A Trail of Traps and that is an accurate description of the film. Kyoshiro Nemuri is approached by a man in charge of confiscated Christian artifacts to guard a golden statue of the Virgin Mary being taken from Edo to a wealthy dye maker in Kyoto as a gift.”
- Aghaemi – ★★★☆☆
“This film of the sleepy-eyed ronin series has the hero talked into escorting a precious religious artifact to Kyoto, Japan. A sect of Christian swordsmen are lying in wait to steal the statuette.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: A Trail of Traps (1967) is a Japanese action-drama directed by Kazuo Ikehiro. In this installment, ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro escorts a valuable religious artifact to Kyoto, confronting the Black Finger Group and uncovering personal secrets along the way.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Hell Is a Woman (1968)
Alternate Title: 眠狂四郎女地獄 (Nemuri Kyôshirô: Onna jigoku)
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In feudal Japan, two devious retainers vie for control of a fiefdom following the lord’s death. Unwittingly entangled in their schemes, the enigmatic ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro becomes a pivotal figure in the ensuing power struggle, especially as the collateral damage begins to provoke his ire.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Tokuzō Tanaka
- Writers:
- Renzaburō Shibata (original story)
- Hajime Takaiwa (screenplay)
- Cast:
- Raizō Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Miwa Takada as Princess Saya
- Yaeko Mizutani as Osono
- Takahiro Tamura as Naruse Tatsuma
- Eitarō Ozawa as Hori
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Hell Is a Woman (1968)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- dirtylaundri – ★★★☆☆
“As expected, one woman falls for him and repents her evil ways; the film’s attempts at bittersweet romance only make clear that the Manichaean world of the series forecloses even the possibility of true melodrama.”
- Joe – ★★½☆☆
“Samurai movies that have set pieces in the snow often look gorgeous, and the finale to Hell is a Woman is no exception, and it’s the first time I really cared about anything in this movie.”
- ChrisJimenez21 – ★★★☆☆
“This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a Woman (1968) is a Japanese action-drama directed by Tokuzō Tanaka. The film follows Nemuri Kyoshiro, a masterless samurai, as he becomes entangled in a deadly power struggle between two retainers vying for control of a fiefdom after their lord’s death.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider’s Lair (1968)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyôshirô 11: Hitohada gumo
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In this eleventh installment of the “Sleepy Eyes of Death” series, the wandering swordsman Nemuri Kyoshiro encounters a brother and sister duo, both illegitimate offspring of the Shogun. Exiled due to their sadistic tendencies, they oppress local villagers for their own amusement. Kyoshiro becomes entangled in their malevolent schemes, facing numerous traps and assassins as he seeks to liberate the oppressed.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
- Writer: Seiji Hoshikawa
- Original Story: Renzaburô Shibata
- Cast:
- Raizō Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Mako Midori as Murasaki
- Yūsuke Kawazu as Domon Ietake
- Maka Sarijo as Suma
- Fumio Watanabe as Ikkan
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider’s Lair (1968)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- BrianNaas – ★★★½
“The film begins and ends with Morricone-styled music playing with a lot of death between the bookends. I am nearing the end of the Raizô Ichikawa Sleepy Eyes of Death films—only one more to go—and though very similar in structure, they have been a pleasure to watch. As stoic a character as one can imagine—apart from society because of his Black Mass and half-foreign birth—he constantly tells people not to involve him in their problems, but their problems always become his. His unlucky fate. This is a good one—normally Nemuri Kyoshiro becomes entangled in the ruthless efforts of some Lord to gain power—but here he comes across pure evil and his sword is drawn to smite it like a moth to a flame.”
- Matthew Schmitz – ★★★☆☆
“Watched on YouTube. Should have been called ‘Sleepy Eyes of Death 11: Shōgun’s Bastards.’ After just typing that, I imagined an alternate universe where Japan won WWII and later created a sitcom called ‘Shōgun’s Heroes.’ Can you imagine an American ‘Sergeant Smith’ saying to the commander of a Japanese internment camp, ‘I know nothing, nothing!’ Wow, this review did not start how I expected…. This entry in the series was pretty par for the course. It had a good soundtrack and title sequence. It had the typical ‘female traps’ we have seen a million times. I will give this film credit, though, for its plot and fight choreography. The plot was interesting and clean but suffers from a weak final duel/quick plot closer. This ending problem is a running theme, so I think I can give a little slack due to consistency. Finally, it’s the swordplay that saves this one. This has had some of the best group fighting of the entire series. I only wish they would have used more blood. If they had, it would have fit the plot very nicely.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 11: In the Spider’s Lair (1968) is a Japanese action-drama directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda. The film follows the ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro as he confronts the sadistic illegitimate offspring of the Shogun, who oppress local villagers for their own amusement. Starring Raizō Ichikawa, Mako Midori, and Yūsuke Kawazu, this installment delves into themes of power, cruelty, and justice.
Title: Sleepy Eyes of Death: Castle Menagerie (1969)
Alternate Title: Nemuri Kyōshirō 12: Akujo-gari
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot Synopsis:
In this twelfth installment of the Sleepy Eyes of Death series, a mysterious ronin impersonates Kyoshiro Nemuri, committing heinous acts to provoke him into a duel. As Kyoshiro seeks the imposter, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy within the Shogun’s harem, involving hidden Christians and political intrigue. The film culminates in a climactic showdown, marking the final appearance of Raizō Ichikawa as the iconic swordsman.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Kazuo Ikehiro
- Writer: Ichirō Miyagawa
- Cast:
- Raizō Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro
- Shiho Fujimura
- Yukiji Asaoka
- Shinjirō Ehara
- Naoko Kubo
IMDb Link:
Sleepy Eyes of Death: Castle Menagerie
Reviews from Letterboxd:
- Briannaas – ★★★½
“In this the 12th and final film in the series with Raizô Ichikawa as the protagonist, Nemuri Kyoshiro is as indestructible as ever, killing all those who come after him. Sadly, this was not true of the actor who had portrayed him since 1963 and made the character and the actor iconic. Ichikawa was dying. He had health issues for the entire decade and digestive problems and now rectal cancer…”
- dirtylaundri – ★★★½
“While Nemuri can hardly be called a feminist in this one, in a way this might be viewed as an attempt to atone for at least some of the misogyny plaguing the series from the start, given that the plot is largely concerned with laying open that the whole political system of feudal Japan is based on controlling women’s bodies, with whatever means necessary. While the film never quite recreates…”
- Djghik – ★★½
“Dieses Mal geht es vor allem um Intrigen im Harem des Shoguns (und dabei um die Frage, welche Frau als erstes einen männlichen Erben gebären wird), sowie eine Gruppe geheimer Christen, die versuchen der Verfolgung zu entkommen.”
Meta Description:
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie (1969), also known as Nemuri Kyōshirō 12: Akujo-gari, is a Japanese action-drama directed by Kazuo Ikehiro. In this final installment, Kyoshiro Nemuri confronts an imposter and navigates a web of political intrigue within the Shogun’s harem. The film features Raizō Ichikawa in his last portrayal of the iconic swordsman.
