THE SAMURAI (ONMITSU KENSHI) EPISODE GUIDE

THE SAMURAI (ONMITSU KENSHI) EPISODE GUIDE

The romanised Japanese title is given first with Japanese airdate, followed by Australian title and Australian airdate. It will be noticed that certain of the stories were shown out of sequence in Australia, that is: the second story, Koga Ninjas, was shown first, followed by the third, Iga Ninjas, then in order from the fifth story, Fuma Ninja through to the final story, Contest of Death, which was followed by the fourth, Black Ninja and somewhat later the first story, Spy Swordsman. Where possible I have included blurb which appeared in the press (whether Japanese or Australian) to describe the episode, or else a summary, either from a viewing of the episode on DVD or from the King Records soundtrack LP sleevenotes.

In Japan, broadcast 7-7.30pm Sundays on TBS from 7 October 1962 to 28 March 1965, sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and made by Senkōsha Productions.

In Australia, broadcast at various times between 3.30pm and 5.30pm weekdays on its original run, on TCN-9 (Sydney) from 28 December 1964 to 16 March 1967.

STORY ONE: ONMITSU KENSHI (SPY SWORDSMAN)

Akikusa Shintarō	Ōse Kōichi
Kiba Jinjūrō	Katsuki Toshiyuki

with Fujiyama Ryūichi, Amatsu Bin, Ōmori Shunsuke

Set in 1792 Ezo (Hokkaido) this introduced us to Shintarō, real name Matsudaira Nobuchiyo, the older half-brother of the young shogun, Ienari. He has been ordered by the shogun's chief councillor, Lord Matsudaira Sadanobu, to investigate the resources of Matsumae fief and write a report on it. The lord of Matsumae fief resents this keenly and suspects it will lead to the shogunate taking control of the fief away from him. He sends against him his fanatically loyal retainer, Kiba Jinjūrō who vows to kill him. During his investigations, Shintarō helps local downtrodden Japanese villagers (not always successfully) and oppressed Ainu, defeats local bandits and smugglers (both Japanese and Ainu) often inadvertently aided by Kiba who, despite his obsession with killing Shintarō, is a just, fair and honest man who can be kind to those in distress. The backdrop of Japanese colonialism and Ainu resistance adds local colour and a touch of exoticism Also exotic is the use of fire-arms, mainly musketry (which together with a colonial power, foreign settlers, an indigenous race being displaced, convicts and the odd hanging makes one feel one is watching some early colonial Sydney saga). Shintarō is known as one of Japan's finest swordsman but also for having a "modern" pistol, the only one in Japan , a gift to the Shogun from the Dutch, and is a crack shot. (This pistol is actually a revolver, somewhat remarkable for 1792 - who stole the Tardis?). Other points of interest are the appearance of later regulars and semi-regulars in totally unrelated roles. Maki Fuyukichi (Tonbei) appears in several episodes as an Ainu rebel leader; Ōmori Shunsuke (Shūsaku) appears once as a boy coincidentally also called Shūsaku and Amatsu Bin (Fūma Kotarō/Kongō of Kōga) appears in a sympathetic role as a blind rōnin devoted to his little daughter and more typically as the skilled and ruthless swordsman henchman to a gangster.

1	Edo kara kita otoko The Man from Edo Shintarō saves a young Ainu wrongly accused of murder, relying on his wits and his pistol.	7^th October 1962 23^rd February. 1967
2	Kettō Kiritap Duel at Kiritap Shintarō captures andescaped thief and takes him to the town of Kiritap to be held until Kiba arrives. However, the villagers' greed allows the thief to free himself and kill one of them and hold another to ransom.	14^th October 1962 24^th February 1967
3	Kōya no kenpū Sword Storm Shintarō comes upon a woman and her young son who are being terrorised by a loan-shark and his offsider, a disreputable but skilled swordsman.	21^st October 1962 27^th February 1967
4	Rakujitsu no adauchi Revenge of the Ainus A group of Ainu take a wagon carrying gold from the goldmine on the Shibuchari River in revenge for the death of the son of one of them caused by two of the guards.	28^th October 1962 28^th February 1967
5	Onibishi no toride Imitation Prince A shipwrecked rōnin impersonates Matsudaira Nobuchiyo at the instigation of a smuggler of guns so he can get them to the Ainu who has purchased them.	4^th November 1962 1^st March 1967
6	Funebeshiyama no taiketsu Sudden Death Shintarō helps a young boy find his mother who was taken by Onibishi, an Ainu chief. Kiba persuades Onibishi to set a trap for Shintarō.	11^th November 1962 2^nd March 1967
7	Jigokudani no machibuse Ambush at Hell Valley Shintarō, Sanpei and the refugee Ainu women continue on their way to Kunashiri Island. Sanpei mistakenly thinks Shintarō is really after Ainu treasure. Kiba and Onibisho are following them and try to ambush them at Hell Valley.	18^th November 1962 3^rd March 1967
8	Burai no kyōdai Outlaw Brothers Goromatsu's two outlaw brothers break him out of Shiranuka Gaol where he is awaiting transfer to Matsumae. He vows to kill Kiba and enlists their help.	25^th November 1962 6^th March 1967
9	Momoku no kenkaku Blind Swordsman Shintarō encounters Tendō Sawanosuke, a blind rōnin and his young daughter who are being harassed by Hidaya's bullies. Sawanosuke is well able to defeat them and Hidaya hires him to kill Shintarō because he has a deed of his. He wants to get Shintarō before Kiba does.	2^nd December 1962 7^th March 1967
10	Konketsu no mokugekisha Pirate Treasure Habaro a young part-Japanese Ainu hunter is persuaded by an ambitious gang leader to kill his boss so he can take over but is shot in turn. Shintarō is accused of the murders but has help from an old friend, a geisha he knew in Edo.	9^th December 1962 8^th March 1967
11	Hissatsu Jūmonjiryū Master of the Sword Shintarō helps a brother and sister from Aizu take revenge on the man who killed their father who is now using another name and is the sword instructor for the Matsumae Clan. Kiba plays something of a double game.	16^th December 1962 9^th March 1967
12	Kaette kita buraimono Return of the Outlaw Chusuke the Weasel returns to Usu seeking Yaichi, the man who put him in gaol. None of the villagers will stand by Yaichi. They think he should leave town and then maybe Chusuke won't bother them. Yaichi's son worships him and Yaichi fears to disappoint him because deep down he is afraid.	23^rd December 1962 10^th March 1967
13	Onmitsu wataridori Code of the Samurai Matsumae government convoys and samurai have been attacked by a man in white who claims to the onmitsu. Shintarō resolves to unmask the impostor and clear his own name. He calls on Kiba to witness this. Kiba does so but still wants him dead to fulfil his mission.	30^th December 1962 13^th March 1967

[Episode guide - Koga Ninja] [Episode guide - Iga Ninja] [Episode guide - Black Ninja] [Episode guide - Fuma Ninja] [Episode guide - Fuma Ninja Continued] [Episode guide - Ninja Terror] [Episode guide - Phantom Ninja] [Episode guide - Puppet Ninja] [Episode guide - Contest of Death] [Home]