intro

In 1859 author Sanyutei Encho (三遊亭円朝) wrote a traditional horror novel entitled Shinkei Kasane ga fuchi or "Reckoning at Kasane Swamp" (my translation). It became a very popular tale, telling of how an injustice inevitably leads to far greater sorrow and ultimately karmic retribution from beyond the grave. It is a sad tale which struck at the core of Japanese notions of human relations, (in)justice and supernatural/divine judgment.

Sanyutei Encho (1839 - 1900) witnessed first-hand the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji period and wrote extensively in the traditional kaidan/kwaidan (怪談) genre, telling supernatural tales of the older eras. In addition to Shinkei Kasane ga fuchi, perhaps the most familiar of Sanyutei's publications in the West would be Kaidan Botan Dorou (怪談牡丹灯籠 / Tale of the Peony Lantern) which Lafcadio Hearn immortalized by bringing it to Western readers through his 1898 In Ghostly Japan. Sanyutei's Botan Dorou subsequently became a favorite narrative and appeared in several Japanese films such as Haunted Lantern.

Thus far there have been seven films entitled "Kaidan Kasane ga Fuchi" (or something very similar) ranging from 1928 (!) to 1970. There have also been three seperate TV versions following the 1970 film. The film under review here is the fourth iteration of the tale, a 1957 film by classic horror director Nakagawa Nobuo (中川信夫 / 1905 - 1984). As I've mentioned elsewhere, Nakagawa was a prolific director and has proved critical in the development of Japan's contemporary horror genre.

His Ghosts of Kasane Swamp has been the most popular and well-known of the handful of versions making it to the West and remains an excellent example of traditional Japanese moral sentiment wrapped in a supernatural ghost tale. Though I have not seen the ohter versions, I have read that Nakagawa's contribution to the tale is his focused empathy with the characters in the tale. As noted above, this is a very sad tale which encompasses generations and thus involves the karmic fate of those who had no hand in the initial wrong-doing. He effectively conveys the humanness and bewildered peril of his characters even as they descend into horrible moments. Nakagawa's tale focuses on the tragedy which can befall otherwise normal human beings due to the sins of their ancestors.

The film is set in the mid-Edo Era (1773) in the small town of Hanyu in Shimosa Province (northerly portion of modern day Chiba prefecture). It is shot completely in black and white but many of the panoramic scenes and complex sets prove very effective. In characteristic form, Nakagawa here attempts his own early versions of cinematic "special effect" when depicting the hauntings of his ghosts and ghoulies.

story

The blind masseuse Soetsu hopes that the snowy eve might bring him luck in collecting a sizeable debt from a neighboring samurai. So he bids his wife and young daughter Rui goodbye and silently treks to his borrower's home.

But the arrogant samuari, who has neither the money nor the patience to hear Soetsu's sincere request, suddenly cuts the terrorized blind man with flailing sword. When the murderous deed is done, Soetsu's scarred body is thrown into the nearby Kasane Swamp so that no man may find him.

Fast forwarding 20 years, we find Rui, the grown daughter of Soetsu and Shinkichi, the adult son of the samurai, unwittingly falling in love with each other. Though it would seem, of course, that such innocent love ought develop unhindered by the past, it quickly becomes apparent that a deeper, sinister force is at work in shaping their destiny.

And this destiny, you'll find, has no regard for either innocence nor person.

verdict

To be honest: This is a very famous traditional Japanese ghost tale and the only hope of you seeing it involves this particular film by director Nakagawa. Thus dedicated nostalgia fans (such as myself) have no choice but to seek out this truly classic (66 minute black and white) film. Those of you less inclined can probably skip this film in good conscience knowing that herein lies no truly scary/terrifying moments according to modern standards.

Version reviewed: Region 0 subtitled DVD.

cultural interest	violence	sex	strangeness
Classic early Japanese Horror by director Nakagawa Nobuo based on the well-known tale of Kaidan of Kasane Swamp.	Sword violence and ghostly monstrosities, 1957 style..	Some Edo-Era shoulder baring... and you know what THAT means...	Here's a well-known classic Japanese Horror film by cult director Nakagawa Nobuo