Blind Woman’s Curse

Sunday, February 12, 4:30 PM

Although she began her acting career at Nikkatsu under her real name, Masako Ota became Meiko Kaji on the advice of her mentor Masahiro Makino, and this phantasmagoric female swordplay saga—the best period film Kaji made at Nikkatsu—was her first starring role under her new, tougher name. The third and final entry in the Rising Dragon series of female gambler films that starred Hiroko Ogi, Blind Woman’s Curse dispenses not only with the original character but also Ogi herself, instead casting Kaji as the benevolent, tattooed leader of a band of yakuza. Kaji and her gang become targets of supernatural vengeance after she blinds another swordswoman in a duel, and genre master Teruo Ishii adds his signature erotic-grotesque elements to the story, which may be the best female swordplay-cum-ghost cat horror film Japan ever produced!

1970, 85 min., Blu-ray, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Teruo Ishii. With Meiko Kaji, Hoki Tokuda, Makoto Sato.

Part of Cruel Beauty: A Romantic Weekend with Meiko Kaji.

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

Special Offers:
All Access Pass: (1 ticket for each film in the series, 5 tickets total)
Save $3 per ticket. $50/$35 seniors & students/$30 Japan Society members

Double Feature Pass: (2 different films in the same transaction)
Save $2 per ticket. $22/$16 seniors & students/$14 Japan Society members

18+
This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Blind Woman’s Curse  © 1970 Nikkatsu Corporation

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