Kenki

KENKI revolves around an unusual hero: a killer who dreams of colorful flower meadows. A mild-mannered court gardener, Hanpei belongs at the bottom of the social hierarchy and is the frequent butt of jokes. Yet he harbors a secret power: He can acquire physical abilities through observation alone, and thus becomes an exceptionally gifted swordsman. Though it goes against his nature, he soon becomes a contract killer for the intrigue-ridden court, despite the doubts of all around him: “A lover of flowers can’t kill.” While the comic elements initially take precedence in this third film of the sword trilogy, they soon give way to the tragic realization that Hanpei will achieve nothing through violence.

Kenji Misumi (1921–75) was one of the most prominent directors of the Daiei studio, where he primarily made jidaigeki (period dramas) and became especially well known for his chanbara (“sword fighting” or samurai films). A visual virtuoso with a brilliant stylistic eye, his genre films bear a uniquely Misumi mark. His best films combine magnificent visuals with a feel for the psychological life of his characters. Misumi’s sword-fighting films received little international recognition during his lifetime, as they were regarded as mere spectacle.