Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade 1963
Step into the Edo-period shadow-world of *Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade* (1963), a razor-sharp jidaigeki where the blade and the mind duel in equal measure.
Director: Tokuzō Tanaka
Cast
Raizō Ichikawa
Nemuri Kyoshiro
Tamao Nakamura
Chisa
Shinobu Araki
Saburo Date
Zeniya Gohei
Jun Fujikawa
Gen Kimura
Katsuhiko Kobayashi
Hideo Kuroki
Kaoru Miyoshi
Chitose Maki
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade (1963) about?
Set in feudal Japan, this jidaigeki follows the morally ambiguous ronin Nemuri Kyoshiro as he gets entangled in a clan leader's smuggling conspiracy. When the clan's partner survives and seeks vengeance, Kyoshiro becomes the target of both sides in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Who directed Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade?
Tokuzō Tanaka directed this gripping samurai noir, known for his mastery of historical action and atmospheric tension.
Who stars in Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade?
The film features Raizō Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro, alongside Tamao Nakamura, Shinobu Araki, Saburo Date, and Jun Fujikawa in pivotal roles.
Is Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade (1963) worth watching?
For fans of classic samurai cinema, it's a solid pick—packed with stylish action, sharp dialogue, and a cynical lead. While it doesn't have a modern IMDb rating, its reputation rests on Tanaka's direction and Ichikawa's magnetic performance.
How long is Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade?
The runtime is 82 minutes, delivering a tight, high-energy jidaigeki experience in under an hour and a half.
About Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade (1963) — Raizō Ichikawa's cynical ronin faces a web of deception and death
Step into the Edo-period shadow-world of *Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade* (1963), a razor-sharp jidaigeki where the blade and the mind duel in equal measure. Directed by Tokuzō Tanaka, this 82-minute action showcase follows Nemuri Kyoshiro—a sardonic ronin whose sword arm alone makes him formidable. When a Kaga clan lord's smuggling empire starts to unravel, he finds himself hunted by an unexpected survivor seeking bloody retribution. With trust in short supply and treachery lurking around every corner, Kyoshiro navigates a labyrinth of deceit, where honor is a currency as fleeting as the morning mist over Edo Castle. The film drips with the gritty atmosphere of classic samurai noir, blending breathtaking duels with moral ambiguity and political intrigue.
Raizō Ichikawa leads a stellar cast, his sharp-eyed menace anchoring a story where every smile hides a dagger. Tamao Nakamura and Shinobu Araki add layers of intrigue, while the choreography crackles with the raw energy of Shorenji boxing and katana clashes. It's a tale that celebrates the lone wanderer's code while exposing the rot beneath feudal Japan's glittering surface—perfect for fans of stylish, high-stakes historical drama.
