The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1961
Director: Tai Katô
Writers: Tai Katô, Nanboku Tsuruya
Cast: Ayuko Fujishiro, Sentarô Fushimi, Jûshirô Konoe, Yumiko Mihara, Kikugorô Onoe, Hiroko Sakuramachi, Tosshô Sawamura, Tomisaburô Wakayama, Atsushi Watanabe

Release Date: May 19th, 2025 (UK), May 20th, 2025 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 94 Minutes 12 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"When the daughter of an elite family takes a shine to poor samurai Iemon (Tomisaburo Wakayama, Lone Wolf and Cub), he sees an opportunity to climb the social ladder. He just needs to rid himself of his only obstacle: his loving wife Oiwa. He poisons her and dumps her corpse in a nearby swamp, but she returns as a horribly disfigured ghost to haunt Iemon on his wedding night." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost was transferred in High-Definition by Toei Co. Ltd. and supplied to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file."

The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 29.2 GB

Feature: 25.2 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Image clarity and compression are solid, contrast and black levels are strong throughout, and there does not appear to be any digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an introduction by filmmaker Mari Asato (9 minutes 19 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English), an interview with Mari Asato (9 minutes, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English), a video essay on tormented female ghosts by Lindsay Nelson (6 minutes 57 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles and text in English), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 24-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled The Tai Kato Paradox written by Tom Mes, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Tai Katô directed The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost. He’s known for Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza, Eighteen Years in Prison, I, the Executioner, By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him, and Beast in the Shadows.

When the daughter of an affluent man falls in love with an impoverished samurai, her father helps him get rid of his wife.

If The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost feels familiar, it is an adaptation of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's Kabuki play Ghost Story of Yotsuya. Other film adaptations of Ghost Story of Yotsuya are Kenji Misumi’s The Ghost of Yotsuya, Nobuo Nakagawa's Ghost of Yotsuya, Shirō Toyoda’s Illusion of Blood, and Kinji Fukasaku's Crest of Betrayal.

The opening setup introduces the protagonist's husband, a samurai named Iemon who's happily married to a beautiful woman; he’s the envy of those around him. Despite his many possessions, it is his absence of a prestigious position working for a nobleman, along with the wealth that accompanies it, that fuels his ambition. A neighbor woman falls in love with him, and although he is initially reluctant, he eventually agrees to her father's plan to eliminate his wife. Ghost Story of Yotsuya is noted for its horror elements; however, the narrative only shifts into the realm of the supernatural in the final 25 minutes.

The cast are excellent in their roles, especially Ayuko Fujishiro, who portrays Oiwa. Her character's beauty is radiant, and she is the obedient wife who only lives to make her husband, Iemon, happy. That said, when her character transforms into a ghostly apparition are the moments when she shines the brightest. Another performance of note is Tomisaburô Wakayama (Lone Wolf and Cub (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx)), who delivers an exemplary brooding performance in the role of Iemon.

The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost is a film that relies heavily on atmosphere, and Tai Katô’s direction does a phenomenal job heightening the mood, especially when the narrative shifts to the supernatural. The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost explores themes like envy, betrayal, and revenge. The well-executed narrative is perfectly paced; it does a superb job building to its finale. Though not the most memorable adaptation of Ghost Story of Yotsuya, The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost still does a remarkable job holding your attention despite its familiarity.

The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer