#Hibotan bakuto

[redsamuraiii]

The Valiant Red Peony : Red Peony Gambler (1968)

Set during the Meiji era, RED PEONY GAMBLER stars Fuji as Ryuko Yano, the daughter of a gambler. When her father is murdered, Ryuko takes on a new name derived from the crimson flower tattooed on her shoulder – “Oryu, the Red Peony” – and sets out for revenge.

One thing I noticed about Japanese films is the use of flower names to reflect their character like in Shogun (2024) and Yae no Sakura (2013). Here, Red Peonies are flowers that can live over 100 years and thrive in cold winters, indicating that she survived the worst.

As mentioned in my earlier post, Asian films like Japanese films have always featured strong women who are feminine, gentle and caring with those they love and care but fearless, cunning, steadfast and a force to be reckoned with, against enemies.

There are numerous films such as this, Lady Snowblood (1973), Crimson Bat : The Blind Swordswoman (1969), Undercover Geisha (2003) & Ichi (2008), and anime such as Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (2000), Joran : The Princess of Snow and Blood (2021) & Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku (2023).

They inspire Hollywood shows like Kill Bill (2003), Blue Eye Samurai (2003) and Shogun (2024). Japanese films are underrated, especially the old ones that I feel it's wasted that most of these shows are not available on global mainstream sites for the world to enjoy and appreciate. But it's good to see people becoming aware of them.

[gokaiju]

The Valiant Red Peony 1-3 (Kosaku Yamashita, 1968, Norifumi Suzuki, 1968 and Tai Kato, 1969) | Cover for Blu-ray boxset by Eureka Entertainment | Made in 2024 by Gokaiju

[illustraction]

RED PEONY GAMBLER - HIBOTAN BAKUTO (1968-1972) - GUNS SWORDS AND TATTOOS: YAKUZA FILMS SERIES (Part 2/10)

One of TOEI most successful series with 8 films starring once again their lead female star, JUNKO (Sumiko) FUJI as Oryu the beuatiful gambler along TOEI's BIG FOUR (Takakura, Tsuruta, Sugawara and Wakayama).

Most of the posters of the series in various forms have been included above (Please click on each image for details)

Director: Kosaku Yamashita, Shigehiro Ozawa, Tai Kato Actors: Junko Fuji, Ken Takakura, Koji Tsuruta, Bunta Sugawara, Tomisaburo Wakayama

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[basedkikuenjoyer]

I've been wanting to show these a little love, but not dwelling too long on each one. This is the poster for the the first Hibotan Bakuto movie. The Red Peony Gambler, sometimes called the Valiant Red Peony in Western releases. It's an 8-part series following the exploits of Ryuko Yano, the lady Yakuza. The movies came out over a span of 1968-1972. Eight movies in four years, far out. Not the biggest budget productions, but that didn't stop them from being popular. Your star here makes them. Junko Fuji is an absolute treasure and she makes Oryu feel so real. The epitome of "silk hiding steel."

The more I watch of these the more I feel they are one of the Jidaigeki references that trickled down into fairest Okiku, we've talked at length about that. She's a pastiche of this entire subgenre of female-led historical dramas. Polite & proper ladies denied their chance for a happy, normal domestic life taking matters into their own hands and protecting the weak. Seeing a pretty lady kick ass was new territory in the late 60s.

All told, you're not getting much more than Oryu's origins. How her plan for life fell apart and how she started to be the wandering gambler. It's a good standalone if you want to watch just one, but that means it lacks the unique feel the rest have. This one is probably the most graphic actually, still not as bad as counterparts like Tales of the Poison Seductress. The first two are the ones you can't skip if you care about the series though.

[caycecayce]

Made a new song and music video

[mudwerks]

(via DISHONOR AMONG THIEVES - Pulp International)

[jailhouse41]

Press photo for Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation (Hibotan Bakuto: Isshuku Ippan, 緋牡丹博徒 一宿一飯), 1968, directed by Norifumi Suzuki (鈴木則文) and starring Junko Fuji (富司純子) and Kunio Murai (村井国夫).

[artmialma]

Senju Shunga (born 1968) Swedish "Hanafuda" 2020 The half-naked tattooed beauty that looks at us confidently is none other Oryu from the legendary late 1960’s Japanese Yakuza movie “Hibotan Bakuto. Bakuto were nomadic gamblers active in Japan from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. They were one of two forerunners (the other being tekiya, or peddlers) of what would later become the modern Japanese organized crime syndicates called yakuza. text and image via: https://shungagallery.com/senju-shunga-paintings/ www.facebook.com/senjushunga/

[taishou-kun]

Sally Mae サリー・メイ AKA Sako Kako 加古 幸子 on Hibotan bakuto kinpatsu enka 緋牡丹博徒 金髪艶歌 LP's sleeve - Japan - 1970

Source showapops.com

[filmrushmx]

17/NOV/2018: RED PEONY GAMBLER PT. 2

緋牡丹博徒 鉄火場列伝 (1969) dir. 山下耕作 / Hibotan bakuto: Tekkaba retsuden (1969) dir. Kōsaku Yamashita

緋牡丹博徒 お竜参上 (1970) dir. 加藤泰 / Hibotan bakuto: Oryū Sanjō (1970) dir. Tai Katō

緋牡丹博徒 お命戴きます (1971) dir. 加藤泰 / Hibotan bakuto: Oinichi itadaki masu (1971) dir. Tai Katō

緋牡丹博徒 仁義通します (1972) dir. 斎藤武市 / Hibotan bakuto: Jingi tooshi masu (1972) dir. Buichi Saito

[bourdu]

Kikyo x Hibotan no Ryu

[hatsukifurutani]

The work of nail art by hatsuki furutani, a Tokyo based manicurist

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[basedkikuenjoyer]

Since we ended Oryu's journey with it, I wanted to poke at this concept a bit. Because it was always something in my mind about Kiku's story. It's like, the logical reflection of Yamato's. If the latter comes to the realization "not now," the opposite is "right now." You're needed here now vs. this being a rather perfect opportunity if you want to. And I like that this concept is floating around because it tracks so well with something I knew about Himura Kenshin's story, but not this earlier example that made a lot of sense for Oryu's. Ending on a note where you're not done, but your body is well past the point it's telling you it can't hold up anymore.

I always thought the idea would be a cool hook or motivation for the tail end of Kiku's if you wanted to break her off into something else. You're just 22 compared to a group where the next youngest is 35. But the exact logic for Kenshin's works for you; your frame just never really filled out and these battles would take a toll on anyone. Tama dreams of one day having big adventures but Tsuru's mostly dropped her demonic side, the idea is all three are kinda the same woman at different stages. Tsuru's a badass but not the type to go on wild adventures or jump in on a brawl. Kiku was caught between the victim and the bystander, unsure of what to do but willing. The Raid and battle still seemed to bring out a bit of a warrior's spirit. I'm not saying it isn't there, just that peacetime would probably bring out more of an advisor or administrator. Kiku's the type who'd make an excellent Daimyo but never actually get it you know?

Especially with losing an arm, it always felt like this concept of knowing you only have a little time left to use that strength was one with strong potential. So it was wild to see our Red Peony leaning on it in her final scene.

[meimdesu]

[jailhouse41]

Press photo for Red Peony Gambler 2: Gambler’s Obligation (Hibotan Bakuto: Isshuku Ippan, 緋牡丹博徒 一宿一飯), 1968, directed by Norifumi Suzuki (鈴木則文) and starring Junko Fuji (富司純子).

[taishou-kun]

Hibotan bakuto - Oryu sanjo 緋牡丹博徒 お竜参上　[Red Peony Gambler - Oryu's return] poster by Shimura Tatsumi 志村立美 - Director : Katou Tai 加藤泰, Touei 東映, 1970