Betrayal Comes Back With a Vengeance

Read Time:5 Minute, 21 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Tale Of Oiwa's Ghost (The Ghost Story of Oiwa's Spirit) (Kaidan Oiwa no borei)
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 1961, Radiance Films Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 34m
Director(s): Tai Katô
Writer(s): Tai Katô, Nanboku Tsuruya
Cast: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Sawamura Sōjūrō IX, Sentarō Fushimi, Hiroko Sakuramachi, Yumiko Mihara, Yoshiko Fujishiro, Koinosuke Onoe, Atsushi Watanabe, Ichirō Izawa
Where to Watch: available June 24, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Japan’s most infamous tale of betrayal and supernatural revenge has been told countless times. Still, Tai Katô’s 1961 version of THE TALE OF OIWA’S GHOST is one of the more relentless and grounded adaptations. Newly released on Blu-ray by Radiance Films and MVD Entertainment, this restoration gives the lesser-seen Toei production a fresh coat of dread. While it doesn’t quite reach the dreamlike artistry of KWAIDAN, Katô’s take grabs you by the throat with its raw emotion, pacing, and brutal sense of justice.

Based on the Yotsuya Kaidan legend—perhaps the most iconic ghost story in Japanese horror (if not ghost stories in general)—this version doesn’t lean on atmosphere so much as character-driven cruelty. Tamiya Iemon, played with a coldness and control by Tomisaburo Wakayama, is a lower-class samurai hungry for power. When a nobleman's daughter shows interest in him, Iemon doesn’t hesitate. The only thing standing in his way is his devoted wife, Oiwa. One poisoned tea later, and his path is clear—until Oiwa’s ghost rises from the swamp to drag him, slowly and surely, into madness.

This isn’t a version that softens the blow. Katô doesn’t flinch away from the horror of betrayal, the consequences of unchecked ambition, or the grotesque tragedy that befalls Oiwa. There’s an ugly realism to the way it unfolds, with flashes of gore and disfigurement that would’ve been shocking for audiences of the time—and still land effectively (for the most part) today. It's not necessarily blood-soaked, but it's in your face, and that's what gives it power.

While many earlier adaptations of this story lean into the Kabuki roots or focus on supernatural elegance, this take is colder and grittier. Katô, better known for his crime dramas, brings the same stripped-down sensibility to the material. This isn’t a movie about spooky vibes—it’s about emotional rot and the justice that festers in the dark.

The performances help sell that focus. Wakayama’s Iemon isn’t the cartoon villain some versions have made him out to be—he’s worse. He feels plausible. A cold calculation in his early scenes evolves into frantic unraveling as Oiwa’s presence tightens its grip. Ayuko Fujishiro’s Oiwa may not get the same screentime as her betrayer. Still, her presence haunts the film's second half with tragedy. She’s a victim you don’t forget—visually or emotionally.

Radiance’s Blu-ray release gives this underappreciated entry the treatment it deserves. The high-definition transfer looks excellent, retaining the shadowy textures that define the film’s more unnerving sequences. The sound is clean and balanced, and the audio ensures the dialogue maintains its original sharpness. A reversible sleeve, detailed booklet, and a newly revised English subtitle track add value for collectors, especially given that this is the first time the film has been released on Blu-ray.

This edition shines in the supplemental features (as do most of Radiance’s titles). Mari Asato’s interview draws a fascinating connection between female ghost narratives in Japanese cinema and the cultural anxieties they explore. Lindsay Nelson’s visual essay on tormented female ghosts adds even more intrigue. While the trailer might seem like a minor addition, how this version was marketed contrasts greatly with more stylized retellings.

This adaptation doesn’t strive to be abstract or poetic. It’s not drenched in symbolic fog. It’s direct. It’s brutal. It’s more tragedy than ghost story, more cautionary tale than slow burn. In a genre full of stylized horror, this one walks into the room with blood on its hands and a vengeance-soaked purpose. It may not be the definitive Yotsuya Kaidan adaptation, but it’s one of the most compelling, especially for those looking for the story told with grit over gloss.

THE TALE OF OIWA’S GHOST is a welcome entry point for audiences unfamiliar with this legendary story and a refreshing alternative for those who’ve only seen the more ethereal adaptations. It has its rough edges, but that's part of what makes it stick. There's nothing polite about this ghost—she's angry, wronged, and unforgettable. A solid, stripped-down retelling of this famous ghost story, bolstered by a strong performance from Wakayama and a no-nonsense directorial approach.

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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