The Blind Swordswoman Films

In one of my previous entries, I posted a relatively stiff photo of Japanese actress,Yoko Matsuyama, in one of her Blind Swordswoman films and based on a popular manga comic by husband Teruo Tanashita and also the Zatochi Blind Swordsman films. (The photo was bent when I got, though the covering envelope from Spain repeatedly read "Do Not Bend"!) At that point, I had only seen the first of the Blind Swordswoman films and was very impressed with its story, its strong emotions (emotions which surprised me), and the acting of Matsuyama. I considered Matsuyama somewhat strange looking initially, but her charm, her sashaying walk in a tight kimono, and mischievous smirk toward a bad guy, won me over pretty soon, so that she became "like family."

I had to see the other films in the series. I found out that there was a website, SamuraiDVD, who offers all four films on DVD-R, in perfect aspect ratio and subtitled in English. I ordered.

When I got the set, I could not help seeing the three other films, one per night. Though the titles can be slightly different in other territories, the four films in the set are CRIMSON BAT, THE BLIND SWORDSWOMAN; TRAPPED, THE CRIMSON BAT; WATCH OUT, CRIMSON BAT!; CRIMSON BAT: WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE. All films played theatrically in Hawaii, which because of its various Far Eastern cultures, showed Japanese films:

Things became a bit confusing afterward as I investigated more. The films in Hawaii were shown with English subtitles. But though I found ads and mentions in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and even here in New York (at the Thalia Theater), most said the film or films were subtitled. Evidence suggests all had English dubbing (an online trailer is dubbed in English), and there is even a photo of a poster in English from Australia and a poster photo for TRAPPED, THE CRIMSON BAT on Getty Images that says "English-speaking version available." But it was important to me if one or more of these films played in the State dubbed in English.

In 1971, reportedly there was a Crimson Bat TV series of 25 episodes with Matsuyama. After the series, Matsuyama retired to raise a family.

And I also found that there is a German DVD and Blu-Ray release of the first title in 2016. Blu-Ray! That was surprising. The dubbing in the DVD is in German and apparently in English. The Blu-Ray, however, is only in German and Japanese. I will try to verify this info.

What of the actress, Yoko Matsuyama? She promoted a curry flavoring packet, but I am not sure of the dates. There are photos of this product and her.

Being born on November 30th, 1937 in Ehime, Japan, she is now 82 years old. I wish her all the happiness possible. She should know that she has fans outside of Japan, and though it is comparatively insignificant to her, that she brought happiness into my life.