Kwaidan

About

Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning "ghost story," this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his rescue comes at a cost. Blind musician Hoichi is forced to perform for an audience of ghosts. An author relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior's reflection in his teacup.

Credits

Directed by

• Masaki Kobayashi

Written by

• Yōko Mizuki

Produced by

• Shigeru Wakatsuki

Music by

• Tōru Takemitsu

Cinematography

• Yoshio Miyajima

Edited by

• Hisashi Sagara

Cast

• Michiyo Aratamaas First Wife (segment "The Black Hair")
• Rentaro Mikunias Husband (segment "The Black Hair")
• Misako Watanabeas Second Wife (segment "The Black Hair")
• Kenjirō Ishiyamaas Father (segment "The Black Hair")
• Ranko Akagias Mother (segment "The Black Hair")
• Fumie Kitaharaas (segment "The Black Hair")
• Kappei Matsumotoas (segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
• Yoshiko Iedaas (segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
• Otome Tsukimiyaas (segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
• Kenzō Tanakaas (segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
• Kiyoshi Nakanoas (segment "The Black Hair") (uncredited)
• Tatsuya Nakadaias Minokichi (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
• Keiko Kishias Yuki the Snow Maiden (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
• Yūko Mochizukias Minokichi's Mother (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
• Kin Sugaias Village Woman (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
• Noriko Sengokuas Village Woman (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
• Akiko Nomuraas (segment "The Woman of the Snow") (uncredited)
• Torahiko Hamadaas (segment "The Woman of the Snow") (uncredited)
• Jun Hamamuraas (segment "The Woman of the Snow")
• Katsuo Nakamuraas Hoichi (segment "Hoichi the Earless")

Genres