The tale of Musashi Miyamoto has been portrayed in numerous film adaptations, most notably in the Samurai Trilogy starring Toshiro Mifune. Toho’s three-film series is highly influential, and the legendary status of Musashi Miyamoto inevitably led Toei to produce its own interpretation of the iconic figure. Known as Zen and Sword, the Toei series spans five films, all starring Kinnosuke Nakamura as the iconic lead and directed by Tomu Uchida. This sprawling epic has now been given new life by Eureka Entertainment, which has brought the entire saga to Blu-ray with brand-new 4K restorations.
It is difficult to summarise this narrative succinctly. The first film opens with Takezo before he becomes the legendary Musashi Miyamoto. After finding himself on the losing side of the Battle of Sekigahara, Takezo and his friend manage to escape and encounter a mother and her daughter who offer them aid. From there, we follow Takezo, hated by the citizens of his home village, as he gradually transforms into the figure known as Musashi Miyamoto.
Unlike more conventional instalments, each film in Zen and Sword is not inherently standalone; instead, each serves as a chapter in a larger saga. Characters introduced in one film may have little impact on that instalment’s narrative yet become significant in later entries. This structure means that watching the films with long gaps between viewings can be a touch-and-go endeavour. There are no recaps, no flashbacks; the audience is expected to remember every character and narrative beat as the tale unfolds.
Given that the films were released annually in the early 1960s, this was a risky and bold direction, especially in an era without streaming or physical media. If you missed the theatrical run, you were left hoping and praying for a re-release that might never come. For that reason, I commend the series’ narrative ambition: it treats its audience with respect, and as long as the viewer offers the same respect in return, they are rewarded with a bold and gripping story.
However, this elongation does come with drawbacks, especially early on; at times, it feels as though very little happens across a film’s runtime, with the narrative advancing only during key scenes. This leads to long stretches where, for me, not much truly occurs. That’s not to say there isn’t greatness throughout the film. The final 30 minutes of the second film are utterly gripping. I wish the series were shorter. Then again, perhaps I should have watched them as close to back-to-back as possible, with only brief breaks, the way they were meant to be seen.
Even with the new 4K restorations compressed to a 1080p presentation, the five films of Zen and Sword look utterly timeless. Given the period, you might expect the added detail to expose weaknesses in the sets and costumes, flaws once masked when projected on 35mm. Instead, the restorations reveal new layers of texture. From the intricate patterns on kimonos and other costumes to the lush greens of hills and valleys that bring colour and life to every frame, to the impressive set architecture, the world of these films feels reincarnated with youth. Nothing about them reads as a product of the 1960s; they stand as genuine, timeless classics.
Despite the audio being presented in stereo, the soundstage it creates, using only a fraction of the speakers in my 5.1.2 surround system, is nothing short of magical. This is especially evident in the first film, where we hear the incredible score by Akira Ifukube, best known for composing the original Godzilla soundtrack. Beyond that, every sword slash and line of dialogue lands with punch and precision, making the entire experience a genuine treat for the ears.
The only aspect of the release that feels lacklustre is the bonus features. While the audio commentaries are a rewarding listen and Jonathan Clements’ video essay is as informative as ever, I can’t help but wish for more behind-the-scenes footage or production stills. Of course, these materials may never have existed or may have been lost to time. Still, what is included more than justifies the set’s price.
Zen and Sword is a must-own for any Japanese cinema fan, delivering the definitive release of Toei’s Musashi Miyamoto saga. With incredible picture and sound, this sprawling epic may be a hard sell for casual viewers, but for genre fanatics, it’s more than worthy of a place on a collector’s shelf.
★★★★
Out on Blu-ray from 23rd February 2026 / Kinnosuke Nakamura, Akiko Kazami, Wakaba Irie, Isao Kimura, Chieko Naniwa, Ken Takakura / Dir: Tomu Uchida / Eureka Entertainment / 15
Related
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
