The Saga of Tanegashima (1968)

The Saga of Tanegashima (1968) poster

Well before “Shogun” as warring clans were fighting for power throughout Japan, a Portuguese vessel ran aground off Tanegashima. Lord Tokitaka helped Captain Pinto repair his ship. The grateful captain offered the lord a gift--a matchlock musket—the first firearm ever seen in Japan. But like a great stone hurled into placid waters, this simple gift will start a revolution. Tokitaka tasks Kinbei, his greatest swordsmith, to copy this musket and build guns for Japan. While Kinbei struggles to forge Japan’s first musket, a great love blooms between Captain Pinto and Kinbei’s daughter Wakasa. But for Kinbei, to let Wakasa marry Pinto and go to Portugal is unthinkable. And as Kinbei creates Japan’s first matchlock factory, Lord Oda Nobunaga will seize upon firearms as the key to sweep all other clans before him, tearing a blood-soaked path of destruction through Japan.

Director: Kazuo Mori
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 109 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Production: Daiei Film
Country: Japan
Language: 日本語
Original Language: ja

Keywords

samurai, historical

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More Films by Director: Kazuo Mori
More Films in Genre: Drama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Saga of Tanegashima about?
Well before “Shogun” as warring clans were fighting for power throughout Japan, a Portuguese vessel ran aground off Tanegashima. Lord Tokitaka helped Captain Pinto repair his ship. The grateful captain offered the lord a gift--a matchlock musket—the first firearm ever seen in Japan. But like a great stone hurled into placid waters, this simple gift will start a revolution. Tokitaka tasks Kinbei, his greatest swordsmith, to copy this musket and build guns for Japan. While Kinbei struggles to forge Japan’s first musket, a great love blooms between Captain Pinto and Kinbei’s daughter Wakasa. But for Kinbei, to let Wakasa marry Pinto and go to Portugal is unthinkable. And as Kinbei creates Japan’s first matchlock factory, Lord Oda Nobunaga will seize upon firearms as the key to sweep all other clans before him, tearing a blood-soaked path of destruction through Japan.
Who directed The Saga of Tanegashima?
The Saga of Tanegashima was directed by Kazuo Mori.
Who stars in The Saga of Tanegashima?
The Saga of Tanegashima stars Rick Jason, Ayako Wakao, Eijirō Tōno, Shiho Fujimura, Jun Fujimaki, Asao Koike.
How long is The Saga of Tanegashima?
The Saga of Tanegashima has a runtime of 1h 49m (109 minutes).
What genre is The Saga of Tanegashima?
The Saga of Tanegashima is a Drama film.
Where was The Saga of Tanegashima produced?
The Saga of Tanegashima was produced in Japan.