The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959)

In the eerie world of the samurai, an audacious young warrior named Iemon succumbs to his desires and defiles the sanctity of honor. When his love for Iwa, the daughter of an old samurai, is met with stern refusal, Iemon's ambition spirals into darkness. Aided by his servant Naosuke, he murders the old samurai and his companions, weaving a tale of a fictitious bandit to cover his tracks. Promising to help Iwa avenge her father's death, the duo embarks on a wild goose chase, also accompanied by Iwa's sister, Sode, and Yomoshichi, the son of another victim. However, jealousy and fear lead to yet another crime, as Naosuke stabs Yomoshichi and, with Iemon's help, casts the body into a waterfall. With the sisters none the wiser, they convince them to part ways to continue their search. Two years later, the web of deceit continues to ensnare more victims. Iemon, living in poverty with his wife Iwa and their infant son, and Naosuke, eking out a living with Sode, reunite in Edo. Their sinister plot to become wealthy unfolds as they rescue the wealthy Ito and his daughter Ume from ruffians, setting a new stage for deception. In a ghastly scheme, Iemon disfigures and banishes Iwa, not before she avenges her child from his cruel fate. A disquieting chain of murders follows, leading to Iemon's marriage to Ume. However, the shadow of his past crimes begins to haunt him. Tortured by terrifying visions of the disfigured Iwa and his other victims, Iemon spirals into madness, his sword claiming more innocent lives. Sode, led by her sister's spectral guide, reunites with a surprisingly alive Yomoshichi. Together, they hunt down the remorseless Iemon, seeking justice for his countless victims. "The Ghost of Yotsuya," directed by Nobuo Nakagawa, is a chilling tale that plunges into the depths of betrayal, guilt, and supernatural vengeance. This classic Japanese horror draws from an 18th-century masterpiece by Nanboku Tsuruya, a story that has haunted the hearts of the Japanese people for centuries.

The Ghost of Yotsuya is a drama movie featuring Shigeru Amachi and directed by Nobuo Nakagawa.

The Ghost of Yotsuya is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.