The spirit of the samurai blooms in the wind

Augustine 2022-07-05 14:14:33

The series "The Scalloped Wolf" is over. It is adapted from the manga of the same name by Kazuo Koike, and is the representative work of Japanese sword and halberd films in the 1970s. If the original comics have profoundly influenced future generations of warrior-themed works, then the film will lead the trend of global violent cult films, and even Chinese films such as "Evil in the East", "The Five Ancestors of New Shaolin", "The Devil is Coming" and so on. You can see the shadow of "Striped Wolf". The master of Mizuo-ryu and the shogunate Gong Yijiecuoren (the executioner who represented the shogunate to behead the vassals) worshipped Yi Dao because he hindered the treacherous official Liyu Tang (picture 6)'s plan to usurp power. When the edict was issued, he took his son Daigoro out of the siege and embarked on a desperate road. Along the way, in order to make a living, he "rented children and martial arts" and was hired as an assassin for princes and gangs; at the same time, he had to deal with the relentless pursuit of the Yagyu family. And what he never forgets is to kill the enemy Lietang and revive the family. It is such a ruthless character that the people in Jianghu call it the "striped wolf". The most classic image in the film is probably that he pushes the breastfeeding cart unsmilingly, and the knife falls in the breeze, and the assassin who came to offend has already given it away. And this breast milk car itself is a high-level equipment that integrates hidden weapons, armors and firearms, and it has repeatedly shown its power in multi-person battles. Even his son, Daigoro, is a sham who can "can milk, blood, and help". So powerful, it's no wonder that the sixty-six states are frightened. Different from Zatoichi, another god of war, the sword and halberd piece with a strong humanistic color, the basic setting of Baiyidao is a killing machine advocating Bushido. However, Bushido actually borrowed many names from Confucianism, and it is full of loopholes. Therefore, there are many contradictions in Bai Yidao. Mingming often uses hidden weapons to hurt people, but he always advertises the morality of the samurai; Mingming pretends to be "walking in the devil's way in the underworld", but he often fights for the grievances of the world. The most ridiculous thing is that he, a rebel of the Mufan system, has saved the vassal kingdom from life to death again and again - walking in hell but can't get rid of the entanglement of the world, is it because the world is originally hell! If you are already tired of the weirdness and routines of domestic martial arts films, you can find some kind of splendor and authenticity in the tricks and styles of "Wolf with a Tie". It's just that "violence aesthetics" is a questionable proposition in the first place, and the frankness of amputated limbs and stumps, and bloody and bloody, may not be acceptable to most people. Unlike the tragic ending of the comics, the film came to an abrupt end in the sixth installment of the Snowy Battle. Bai Yidao is still pushing the nurse's car on the road of revenge. I hope this has always been the case; after all, the desolation and helplessness of relying on Mount Tai to surpass the North Sea is not something that a big reunion or the end of Katasis can turn the tide.

View more about Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance reviews

Extended Reading

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance quotes

  • Inspector Yagyu Bizen-no-Kami: Men, take Ogami Itto!

    Ogami Itto: This is too odd! Inspector Bizen... What is the meaning of these uniformed men? Was it your intent to take me away from the beginning?

    Inspector Yagyu Bizen-no-Kami: Naturally, in such an emergency as this!

    Ogami Itto: If that were so, they would have come here openly. Besides, there shouldn't have been any reason to hide your uniforms.

    [Grabs a guard]

    Ogami Itto: Furthermore, how do you explain the armor? If you were in such a rush to come here, why did you take the time to don this?

  • Ogami Itto: You would've been happier if you'd chosen to join your mother in her world.