The Dai-bosatsu toge trilogy is based on Kaizan Nakazatos unfinished long series of novels (41 books, written from 1913 to 1941). Set in the last period of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Daibosatsu Toge tells the story of Tsuke Ryunosuke, a nihilistic swordmaster who doesnt hesitate to kill anyone, bad or good. Despite the authors explicit refusal, the series were later made into plays and movies several times. This trilogy stars Raizo Ichikawa: Daibosatsu Toge (Satans Sword: Great Buddah Pass) [1960, directed by Kenji Misumi], Daibosatsu Toge: Ryuujin no Maki (Satans Sword: The Dragon God) [1960, directed by Kenji Misumi], Daibosatsu Toge: Kanketsu Hen (Satans Sword: The Final Chapter) [1961, directed by Kazuo Mori]

Here is part 1 of the Satans Sword trilogy - ex-DV members will probably recognize this one, its the same version as I seeded there. This is based on the same story as Sword Of Doom, that is Dai-bosatsu toge or Great Buddha Pass. Sword of Doom (Out now on Criterion DVD) is the better version - you cant get better than Tatsuya Nakadai for playing a deranged samurai, but Raizo Ichikawa makes a good attempt here. You might recognize Raizo Ichikawa from the Shinobi no mono series of ninja films and the Sleepy Eyes of Death films. This version, although shot 6 years before Sword Of Doom, is in colour. The source of this is a LaserDisc transfered to DVDR so the quality isnt perfect - screenshots below for you to check out.

I Just got Parts 2 & 3, so expect them up in a day or two.

Picking up where part 1 (and SWORD OF DOOM) left off, the further adventures of Ryunosuke and his mortal enemy, Hyoma take many twists and turns after Ryunosuke joins with the Tenchu Group, and finds himself being chased by his former comrades.

Here is part 2 of the Satans Sword trilogy. The source of this is again a LaserDisc transfered to DVDR, so the picture quality isn't perfect - if anyone wants to buy me the japanese remastered boxset so i can add some English subs to it (a mere 15750yen / £80!) then please feel free to do so.

Subtitles in VobSub and .srt format for this one - my fingers need a rest after all that typing before I start on Part 3 - expect it this week sometime.

Hope you all like it.

Ryunosuke is saved by Otoyo after falling from the cliffs of Ryujin. All roads lead him back to Dai-bosatsu Pass and a final confrontation with Hyoma... but fate plays twists with all their lives.

The Final Chapter of the trilogy is here at last. This time directed by Issei Mori (contrary to what imdb says). Another Laserdisc -> DVDR -> XVID conversion.

Unfortunately the subtitles are hard-coded into the actual picture on this one (and not hard-coded in the black border as on the previous 2) so no seperate subs for this one - and a lot less typing for me.