New film - Gobangiri

[John Fairbairn]

There's a major new Japanese film on the way for go fans. It is Gobangiri and stars ex-boy band star Kusanagi Tsuyoshi. It will also feature Iyama Yuta and Fujisawa Rina. It will appear in Toho cinemas in mid-<ay.

It's a period drama and seems to be a version of the 47 ronin story, but with just one ronin (masterless samurai), Kakunoshin, seeking revenge instead of 47, after a false accusation. The guy can't be all bad because he likes to play go.

Obviously the title brings to mind the slicing of a go board in a famous Zatoichi film. That was T Mark Hall's favourite scene, so much so that he seemed to mention it every week!