Sleepy Eyes Of Death (1): The Chinese Jade

Sleepy Eyes Of Death: The Chinese Jade (1963) is another film series based on a series of novels starring the idol Raizo Ichikawa and directed by Zatoichi veteran director Tokuzo Tanaka. There are many similarities between Zatoichi and Nemuri Kyoshiro (Ichikawa) in that both men are loners and wanderers who seem to rack up impressive body counts when they encounter trouble. In this installment-he is involved in a love triangle and intrigue centered around the Kaga clan of Kanazawa. The intrigue involves the hunt for a jade statue that holds the key to bringing about the end of the Kaga fief and its ruler Lord Maeda. Kyoshiro forms an uneasy truce with Chen Sun, played by Tomisaburo Wakayama, a 13th descendant of Chen Gen-Ping, a Chinese practitioner of kung fu who traveled to Japan during the Tensho Era and helped to establish Shorinji Kempo. Samurais dispatching ninjas is always fun, but I don't think Ichikawa is as charismatic as Shintaro Katsu, but I will probably watch the whole series anyway.