Masked Blade (1983)
A Japanese jidaigeki classic following a Shogun's nephew who lives among Edo commoners, wielding his blade to deliver justice to the oppressed.
Masked Blade - Series Information
- Original Title: 長七郎江戸日記
- First Air Year: 1983
- Last Air Year: 1986
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 118
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: Nippon TV
- Production Companies: Nippon Television Network Corporation, UNION TV & MOTION PICTURE CO., LTD.
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Choshichiro Edo Nikki (JP)
Masked Blade - Plot
Choshichiro Nagayori Matsudaira is the son of Tadanaga Tokugawa, which makes him a nephew of the Shogun. Tadanaga died as a result of an alleged plot to overthrow his elder brother, the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Because of Choshichiro's complicated background, he lives among the commoners in the shogunal capital city of Edo, punishing the evil when he sees wrongdoings and injustice.
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Masked Blade - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kōtarō Satomi
- Shōhei Hino
- Tappei Shimokawa
- Yumiko Nogawa
- Tetsuro Tamba
Writers
- Noboru Sugimura
- Kenichi Onishi
- Yasuhiro Sakurai
- Ikuro Suzuki
- Ei Ogawa
Masked Blade - FAQs
What is Masked Blade about?
Masked Blade follows Choshichiro Nagayori Matsudaira, a nephew of the Shogun whose father died under suspicious political circumstances. Rather than living a privileged life, he dwells among ordinary Edo citizens, stepping in to punish wrongdoers and defend the vulnerable with his formidable sword skills.
Is Masked Blade based on a true story?
The series is rooted in historical fiction. Tokugawa Tadanaga, the protagonist's father, was a real historical figure who died in 1633 under politically charged circumstances. The show builds a fictional narrative around this real backdrop, placing an invented hero within the documented power struggles of the early Edo period.
Who plays the lead role in Masked Blade?
Kōtarō Satomi takes the lead as Matsudaira Choshichiro Nagayori, the noble-born swordsman living incognito among Edo commoners. He is joined by Shōhei Hino, Tappei Shimokawa, Yumiko Nogawa, and the veteran actor Tetsuro Tamba in key supporting roles.
How many episodes does Masked Blade have?
Masked Blade ran for 118 episodes across a single season, plus 6 special episodes, making it a remarkably long-running jidaigeki series. It aired on Nippon TV between 1983 and 1986, giving the story ample room to develop its cast of recurring characters and episodic justice-driven plots.
What genre is Masked Blade?
Masked Blade belongs to the jidaigeki genre — Japanese period drama set in the feudal Edo era. The series blends samurai action with social commentary, following a disguised nobleman who champions the common people against corrupt officials and criminals, a classic formula beloved in Japanese television history.
Is Masked Blade similar to Abarenbo Shogun?
The comparison is very apt. Both series feature a high-ranking figure living in disguise among ordinary Edo citizens and personally dispensing justice with a sword. Masked Blade shares the same crowd-pleasing jidaigeki DNA as Abarenbo Shogun, and fans of one will almost certainly enjoy the other.
What network aired Masked Blade in Japan?
Masked Blade aired on Nippon TV, one of Japan's major commercial television networks. The series was produced in partnership with UNION TV & MOTION PICTURE CO., LTD. and ran from 1983 to 1986, becoming a notable entry in Nippon TV's catalogue of long-running period dramas.
What are similar shows to Masked Blade?
Fans of Masked Blade will likely enjoy Zenigata Heiji, Shinsengumi!, and Ooku: The Inner Chambers for their rich period settings and samurai drama. For a more contemporary feel with Japanese storytelling flair, Tokyo Vice and Gannibal offer compelling alternatives worth exploring.
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