Hanzo the Razor: The Snare (1973)

In a time when the Edo treasury's ruthless devaluation of currency is plunging the populous into the clutches of poverty, emerges a law enforcer, Hanzo Itami. Hanzo marches to his own drumbeat, paying little heed to social status or political privilege, a trait that earns him the ire of the treasury's power-hungry treasurer. The discovery of a young woman's lifeless body in the aftermath of an abortion leads Hanzo into the shadowy corridors of a temple he trespasses. Driven by his relentless pursuit of justice, Hanzo utilizes unorthodox methods, resorting to torture and sexual assault of the temple's priestess to extract vital information. As he navigates the murky waters of corruption and crime, Hanzo is handed the daunting task of safeguarding the mint from a thief of notorious repute. He secludes himself within the confines of the mint mistress's chamber, lying in wait for the inevitable confrontation. However, the arrival of the thief only unravels a web of far more sinister crimes. Hanzo finds himself ensnared in a tangle of devalued currency, the horrifying trade of white slavery, and the stench of government corruption. As the layers of deceit unfold, Hanzo is led to a chilling conclusion, the implications of which would shake the very foundations of the Edo society.

Hanzo the Razor: The Snare is an action movie featuring Shintarō Katsu.

Hanzo the Razor: The Snare is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Max and Max Amazon Channel.