Tajomaru: Avenging Blade (2009)
A Japanese period epic tracing the violent, passionate journey of a nobleman destined to become the legendary forest bandit Tajomaru.
Tajomaru: Avenging Blade - Movie Information
- Original Title: TAJOMARU
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Hiroyuki Nakano
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, History, Drama
- Runtime: 2h 6m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 12, 2009 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Tajomaru - Räuber und Samurai (DE), Tajômaru (JP)
- Production Companies: Tristone Entertainment, Cinema Investment, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Kodansha, Warner Bros. Japan, Fuji Television Network
- Production Countries: Japan
Tajomaru: Avenging Blade - Plot
TAJOMARU is the famous 'bandit' of the forest from RASHOMON. Whoever kills Tajomaru inherits his name, status and sword. A royal brother leaves his kingdom to protect the princess he loves, only to find a series of harrowing adventures along the way which lead him back to where he came from, and then disinheriting his past to become the bandit TAJOMARU.
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Tajomaru: Avenging Blade - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hiroyuki Nakano
Main Cast
- Shun Oguri
- Yuki Shibamoto
- Kei Tanaka
- Hiroyuki Ikeuchi
- Hirotaro Honda
- Kyosuke Yabe
- Hiroki Matsukata
- Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi
- Go Ayano
- Takamasa Suga
Writers
- Mataichirô Yamamoto
- Shin'ichi Ichikawa
Producers
- Mataichirô Yamamoto
Tajomaru: Avenging Blade - FAQs
What is Tajomaru: Avenging Blade about?
Tajomaru: Avenging Blade follows Naomitsu, a young nobleman who abandons his privileged life to protect the princess he loves. His journey through betrayal, violence, and self-discovery ultimately transforms him into Tajomaru — the infamous forest bandit immortalized in Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon.
How is Tajomaru: Avenging Blade connected to Rashomon?
The film serves as an origin story for Tajomaru, the notorious bandit at the heart of Kurosawa's 1950 classic Rashomon. It explores who he was before becoming a legend — a prince driven by love and betrayal — giving the iconic character a rich, tragic backstory.
Who plays Tajomaru in the 2009 film?
Shun Oguri takes on the lead role of Naomitsu Hatakeyama, the nobleman who eventually becomes Tajomaru. Oguri, one of Japan's most popular actors, brings both vulnerability and intensity to the character's transformation across the film's two-hour runtime.
Who directed Tajomaru: Avenging Blade?
The film was directed by Hiroyuki Nakano, a Japanese filmmaker known for his visually stylized approach. Nakano brings a dynamic, kinetic energy to the period setting, blending traditional jidaigeki aesthetics with a modern sensibility that sets this samurai epic apart.
What historical period does the film depict?
Tajomaru: Avenging Blade is set during Japan's Muromachi period, a turbulent era of feudal conflict and shifting power. This jidaigeki (period drama) backdrop lends the story its atmosphere of political intrigue, clan rivalries, and the ever-present threat of violence.
Who are the main cast members in Tajomaru: Avenging Blade?
Alongside Shun Oguri, the film features Yuki Shibamoto as Ako, Kei Tanaka as Sakuramaru, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi as Nobutsuna Hatakeyama, and Hirotaro Honda as Hidetaka Kuriyama. Veteran actor Hiroki Matsukata and rising talent Go Ayano also appear in supporting roles.
What are some films similar to Tajomaru: Avenging Blade?
If you enjoyed Tajomaru: Avenging Blade, you'll likely love Seven Samurai (1954), Rashomon (1950), Harakiri (1962), and When the Last Sword Is Drawn (2003). For more recent picks, Kamui (2009) and Mumon: The Land of Stealth (2017) offer similarly thrilling samurai action.
How long is Tajomaru: Avenging Blade?
The film runs for 2 hours and 6 minutes — a substantial runtime that gives the story room to breathe and develop Naomitsu's transformation from nobleman to outlaw. It's a full-blooded epic, so settle in and enjoy the ride.
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