Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi 1976
Step back to the final years of Japan's bloody Sengoku Period with *Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi* (1976), Shigeyuki Yamane's light-hearted comedy that pokes gentle fun at the legendary ninja archetype.
Director: Shigeyuki Yamane
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi (1976) about?
This period comedy follows Sasuke Saruhi, an aging ninja navigating the twilight of Japan's Sengoku era with more clumsiness than cunning. Between absurd domestic duties and accidental brushes with history, he discovers that the biggest battles aren't fought on the battlefield.
Who directed Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi?
Shigeyuki Yamane crafted this offbeat jidaigeki comedy, blending slapstick humor with the gravitas of a fading war-torn world.
Who stars in Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi?
Ichirō Zaitsu leads the cast as Sasuke Saruhi, joined by Keiko Matsuzaka, Takashi Shimura, Kyōsuke Machida, and Hideko Yoshida.
Is Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi (1976) worth watching?
For fans of lighthearted jidaigeki or offbeat comedies, *Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi* offers a refreshing break from the usual samurai fare. Its modest runtime and gentle humor make it an easy pick for a cozy watch, even if it's more belly laughs than battlefield mayhem.
How long is Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi?
The film runs 84 minutes.
About Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi (1976) — A Laugh-In-The-Shadows Jidaigeki Comedy
Step back to the final years of Japan's bloody Sengoku Period with *Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi* (1976), Shigeyuki Yamane's light-hearted comedy that pokes gentle fun at the legendary ninja archetype. Set against a backdrop of clashing warlords and crumbling castles, middle-aged ninja Sasuke Saruhi navigates a world far more absurd than perilous, trading lethal missions for domestic squabbles and comedic mishaps. Yamane balances slapstick chases with the era's powder-keg tension, turning the stealthy shadow warrior into an unlikely everyman whose greatest challenge is a teapot that won't stay quiet. Sprinkled with period details and affectionate satire, the 84-minute romp captures the spirit of a nation on the cusp of peace—even if its ninja isn't ready to retire.
The film hinges on Ichirō Zaitsu's amiable performance as the titular Sasuke, a lovably flawed operative whose heart lies more in the kitchen than the shadows. Supported by Keiko Matsuzaka's sharp-witted noblewoman and Takashi Shimura's world-weary mentor, the ensemble crafts a tone that's warm, whimsical, and just irreverent enough to keep the laughs rolling. It's a rare breed of jidaigeki that favors giggles over gore, proving that even in chaos, a ninja's greatest foe might just be his own stubbornness.