Jump to content

Nihonto Monogatari "The Art of the Swordsmith"


Recommended Posts

Posted

Chris,

 

in the mid seventies, they had Japanese film weeks in Frankfurt, Germany, and they showed classic SAMURAI films like 'Seven SAMURAI', YOJIMBO, TSUBAKI SANJURO, RASHOMON a.s.o. every other day. Among these was a film I liked a lot, and in the years since then, I tried in vain to see this film again. It was difficult as I did not remember the title, and unfortunately only a part of the contents.

 

To make a long story short, it took me about 40 years to find that film again on YouTube (UGETSU MONOGATARI, 1953).

 

So, with a little endurance, I am sure you will have your film one day!

Posted

Thanks to Wah, it seems a copy is located right in my backyard, in Madison, WI, and has been waiting for me all these years! I am still in shock...

 

I have spoken with them, and they said all I need is an appointment to come and view the film. They have next to no info on it, so they are going to view it in the next few days, compare it to some info I sent them, and get back to me. If it is the film I am hunting, I will make sure to view it asap, perhaps even next Tuesday when I will be in Madison!

 

As for copies, we need permission from the rights holder. Thanks to Peter, I have someone at his university who is checking with the director's wife (still alive!) for permission after we located a former student of the director's who passed along her name and number. What a chase!

 

In any case, we should know much more in a few more days...

 

I can't thank Wah and Peter enough for their time and trouble.... :bowdown:

Posted

Well, good news, and bad news...

 

Good news: They have the movie.

 

Bad news: The only have the second of three reels....

 

So, I will have a look at part of it....Hopefully, being the second reel, it will have the "meat" of the sword making...

 

I am going to try and see it next week on my way to Tampa...

 

post-1462-14196895718287_thumb.jpg

Posted

Chris, please to know that you are finally able to see the film.

In a trilogy the second "usually" is the most relevent in a documentary. Lets hope it is the swordmaking part.

Perhaps when you go and meet them they may be able to tell you how the film come to their possesion and the possibility of finding the 2 other reels,

 

 

Wah

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...