Review of Kōchiyama Sōshun (1936)
Seen in 2017.
A jidaigeki comedy of manners, a Hara Setsuko romantic tragedy, a heist movie with a coming-of-age motif etc. until it finally culminates in an action set piece.
The most magnetic scenes are the subtler ones, and they get a bit lost in the noise. The characters are excellently understated. Kawarasaki, in particular, nails it in the title role, a sombre trickster.
References here: Rebellion (1967).