Kaidan
(DVD)

Based on the writings of folklorist Lafcadio Hearn (aka: Yakumo Koizumi).

Originally produced as a motion picture in 1965.

"Enhanced for 16x9 televisions" -- Container.

Special features: original theatrical trailer (in Japanese with English subtitles); color bars.

Program notes on container insert include an essay by film critic David Ehrenstein.

Director of photography, Yoshio Miyajima ; editor, Hisashi Sagara ; music, Tōru Takemitsu.

Cast for Kurokami: Aratama Michiyo, Watanabe Misako, Mikuni Rentarō.

Cast for Yuki-onna: Nakadai Tatsuya, Kishi Keiko.

Cast for Mimi nashi Hoichi no hanashi: Nakamura Katsuo, Tanba Tetsurō.

Cast for Chawan no naka: Nakamura Kanʼemon, Takizawa Osamu, Sugimura Haruko.

Consists of four stories of the supernatural based on Japanese folk material. In The black hair, a poor young samurai leaves his first wife to marry a rich woman. When he is unhappy in his second marriage, he returns to his first wife, who at first appears unchanged from when he last saw her. In The woman of the snow, a woodcutter is spared by a mysterious ghost-like woman in the snow, but must promise never to tell anyone what he has seen. In Hoichi, the earless, a blind musician-monk named Hoichi is commanded by a gathering of ghosts to sing the saga of their ancient deeds. The head monk paints Hoichi's body with prayer verses to protect him, but unfortunately overlooks Hoichi's ears. In In a cup of tea, a writer wonders what would happen to a person who drinks another's soul and finds out.

DVD, region 1; Dolby digital mono.

In Japanese, with optional English subtitles.