THB

The Hidden Blade

Japanese Title: Kakushi-ken, Oni no Tsume
Release Year in Japan: 2004
Release Schedule in the U.S.: 3/21/2006 (DVD only)

Director: Yoji Yamada
Casts: Masatoshi Nagase (Munezo Katagiri), Takako Matsu (Kie), Hidetaka Yoshioka (Samon Shimada)

Yoji Yamada's second filmization of Shuhei Fujisawa's samurai human story. Through forbidden love between a low-rank samurai and a poor maid at the end of Edo period, Yamada pictures the destiny and passion of the young samurai and the people around him.

Many viewers compare this film with his previous period drama "The Twilight Samurai". While there are many similarities in the setting and the supporting cast, this film is warmer and probably easier to understand, and certainly has a different taste.

Nominated in 2004 Japanese Academy Award "Best Picture", "Best Actor", "Best Actress", "Best Director" and several other categories.