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Sleepy Eyes of Death 1 - 3 (1963-1964) | (VHS) Set
Sleepy Eyes of Death 1 - 3 (1963-1964) | (VHS) Set - Image 2

Sleepy Eyes of Death 1 – 3 (1963-1964) | (VHS) Set

Original price was: $16.99.Current price is: $15.99.

includes liner notes

**USA ONLY**

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Description

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:

  1. 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.”
  2. 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.”
  3. 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:

  1. 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.”
  2. 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.”
  3. 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.

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