Masahiko Tsugawa returns to filmmaking with a tribute to his uncle Masahiro Makino

by Chris MaGee

There’s a bit of synchronicity afoot. Last week I reviewed veteran actor Masahiko Tsugawa’s debut 2005 “Nezu no Ban (Wakeful Nights)”, and today I was surfing online for news and I came across info and a trailer for his upcoming sophomore film “Jirocho Sangokushi”. I haven’t seen a lot on this one except at Nippon Cinema, so I thought I’d give it a bit more online English exposure, especially as this film is a bit of a family affair.

“Jirocho Sangokushi” tells the story of Jirocho a petty gambler who leaves his wife Ocho and his hometown of Shimizu to go and study as a professional gambler. His studies last three years and upon his return home that he finds a lot has changed. Ocho has become ill and there are a number of rivals, professional and romantic, that he and his newly assembled gang must deal with.

The story is based on the jidai-geki novel by famed author Genzo Murakami, and was previously adapted for the big screen in a series of films which ran from 1952-1954 directed by Masahiro Makino, the grandson of Shozo Makino, “the grandfather of Japanese cinema” and the uncle of Masahiko Tsugawa. This would explain Tsugawa using the family name Makino when he directed “Nezu no Ban”, but this time around he has chosen to reboot one of his uncle’s most successful films.

But “Jirocho Sangokushi” isn’t just a nod to Tsugawa’s blood family, many members of his film family are taking part in this film as well. Ittoku Kishibe, Kiichi Nakai, Yoshino Kimura and Takashi Sasano who all starred in “Nezu no Ban” will be joining high profile newcomers Koichi Sato, Riki Takeuchi and Kyoka Suzuki for this project.

“Jirocho Sangokushi” is set for release in Japanese theatres on September 20th.