Matsunosuke Sasaki

First part of the famous Dai-bosatsu toge trilogy, based on Kaizan Nakazato’s unfinished long series of novels (41 books, written from 1913 to 1941). Set in the last period of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Daibosatsu Toge tells the story of Tsuke Ryunosuke, a nihilistic swordmaster who doesnt hesitate to kill anyone, bad or good. Despite the authors explicit refusal, the series were later made into plays and movies several times.

This is the second installment of the trilogy based on Japan’s greatest novel “The Great Bodhisattva Pass”, following the life and times of bloodthirsty samurai, Tsukue Ryunosuke. Blinded in an explosion and further injured from a fall, the master swordsman is taken in by Otoyo, a woman who falls in love with him. Under Otoyo’s dedicated care, Ryunosuke’s physical and emotional wounds seem to heal. However, deep inside, the demons that drive him to kill yearn to resurface. Meanwhile he is being pursued by Utsugi Hyoma, a young samurai seeking to avenge his brother’s death at Tsukue’s hands. Hyoma is being aided along the way by the clever thief Shichibei.

Lors d’une chasse au cerf, un haut dignitaire royal venant d’Edo, tue d’une flèche dans le dos un fermier trop lent à s’écarter de son chemin. Puis il blesse grièvement d’une flèche dans l’œil le daimyo local (seigneur du fief) venu protester contre la première agression. La rudesse et la cruauté du tyran va susciter la haine chez certains membres du clan, qui vont s’organiser pour le piéger et le tuer. Son fidèle serviteur, commandant des troupes, va se battre jusqu’au bout pour défendre ce chef qu’il juge pourtant bien inhumain.