A rare grouping of the three Tamura brothers, Masakazu, Takahiro, and Ryu highlight this exciting tale of a series of attempts on the life of Shogun Yoshimune. The Owari have longed for the post of shogun, and are willing to do anything, including murder, in order to achieve their goal. Directed by master filmmaker Inoue Akira, this action packed movie, based on a manga by Koike Kazuo who created the Baby Cart (Lone Wolf) series, is loaded with splendid swordplay and an intelligent story line. It all starts when poison is discovered in the shogun’s food. Can the brilliant swordsman Mondo manage to save Japan’s leader from certain death?! (Source: TMDb) ~~ Adapted from the manga series "Kawaite Soro" (乾いて候) written by Koike Kazuo (小池一夫) and illustrated by Kojima Goseki (小島剛夕). Edit Translation
- English
- हिन्दी
- Español
- Português (Brasil)
- Native Title: 乾いて候
- Also Known As: A Samurai's Sorrow , Haha wa Ikiteita?! Sono Haigo ni Hisomu Inbou wo Tamura Sankyoudai ga Kiru!! , Kawaite Sourou , かわいてそうろう , 母は生きていた!?その背後に潜む陰謀を田村三兄弟が斬る!!
- Director: Inoue Akira
- Genres: Historical, Drama
Cast & Credits
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![Tamura Masakazu in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)]( "Tamura Masakazu in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)")
Tamura MasakazuKainage MondoMain Role -
![Tamura Takahiro in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)]( "Tamura Takahiro in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)")
Tamura TakahiroTokugawa YoshimuneSupport Role -
![Tamura Ryo in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)]( "Tamura Ryo in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)")
Tamura RyoOoka EchizenSupport Role -
![Yachigusa Kaoru in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)]( "Yachigusa Kaoru in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)")
Yachigusa KaoruOshinoSupport Role -
![Ikegami Kimiko in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)]( "Ikegami Kimiko in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)")
Ikegami KimikoOenSupport Role -
![Watabiki Katsuhiko in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)]( "Watabiki Katsuhiko in Kawaite Soro Japanese Drama(1993)")
Watabiki KatsuhikoTsuchiya Sagami no KamiSupport Role
Photos
Reviews
"If you stop the bleeding, you'll survive"
A Samurai’s Sorrow was a made for television movie directed by Inoue Akira. Set during the 8th shogun’s reign of the Tokugawa shogunate the special was embellished with ninjas, poison tongue needles, fratricide and possible matricide.The castle is in an uproar because the shogun’s food has been poisoned. The leader has been subsisting on very little rice for nearly two weeks for fear of being felled by poison. Everyone is hoping Mondo will return and save the day. The poison taster and tester is also masterful with the sword and ladies. Mondo’s mother died when he was young leaving him heart broken. As soon as he returns to town to help the shogun, attempts on his life begin in earnest. Secrets revealed by rivals could unravel Yoshimune’s command and Mondo’s heart even further.
Mondo would have made Rurouni Kenshin proud. For the most part, Mondo didn’t kill those who attacked him, telling them, “If you stop the bleeding, you’ll survive.” Just being in Mondo’s presence could cause a woman to lose her sense of reason. He was said to be so beautiful and well dressed that he could be mistaken for a woman. Satoh Takeru, yes. Fifty-year-old Tamura Masakazu playing a character around thirty years of age, not so much. The actress who played his mother was only twelve years older than he was. All of the actors were subjected to horrendous wigs and exposed wig tape.
The problem I had with A Samurai’s Sorrow was that it lacked spark. With rival clans, concubines, allies, ninjas, and spies around every corner it could be hard to keep up with all of the characters jammed into 90 minutes, much less care about any of them. The basic premise centered around Mondo’s promise to protect the shogun with his life despite the shogun’s betrayal of his mother, rang hollow to me. His mother’s love and hatred for the shogun caused her to kill herself three times for the man. Her son was just as blindly loyal. An emo ronin who constantly mentioned his heart was full of sorrow and might be dead by morning just didn’t resonate with me.
12 May 2025
Trigger warnings:
Three goldfish died trying to save the shogun and this special. RIP little buddies.
Suicides, ritual and otherwise
