Two short stories set in Edo during the Shogun era. The first, during a time when Christians are persecuted vehemently, Iori falls in love with a young Christian girl. When she and her family are captured during a raid, his sadistic master takes her as his personal slave to torment Iori. The second follows Sutezo who, forced to serve the barbarous master of a brothel in order to repay his debts, befriends a young girl. Together, they both escape and struggle to get by on scams and petty theft.
Production
Edo-period sets convincing despite zero budget.
Acting
Villain performances too believable for comfort.
Director
Yuji Makiguchi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of the 1970s 'pinku eiga' boom where Roman Porno competitors pushed into extreme historical cruelty. Shochiku's studio rivals Toei's more polished jidai-geki with pure grime.
Director Yuji Makiguchi made this between 'Shogun's Sadism' entries—the 'Oxen Split Torturing' title is mangled translation of original Japanese referring to a specific Edo execution method shown in first segment.
JP
