Samurai Season 10 (Final): Contest of Death (Japanese TV, 1962-65) three DVD set NEW/SEALED

Set in 1790, it tells of Kongō’s attempts to have Shintarō assassinated by ninja of different schools, until they eventually turn on him instead. They see him, no less than Shintaro himself, as an obstacle to their ambitions. The season ends with Kongō and Shintarō leaving together in a boat sailing, as Shintaro says, into the far distance. There is in fact no duel between Shintaro and Kongo, because he and Kongo have already duelled successfully with the five ninja masters who believe (in vain) that they can bring back civil disruption and hence the glory days of the ninja clans. Wearied of fighting, Shintaro, with the disenchanted Kongo (who now sees the dream of restoring the past of bloodshed and violence to be futile), leaves for another life, his mission achieved and society at peace. As he and Kongo depart, Shūsaku, Tombei the Mist, and Oboro (Kotarō/Kongō’s sister from the Fuma Ninja stories) remain behind on the shore, sadly crying out their farewells. A true hero—a true embodiment of Samurai chivalry—Shintaro retires into a glorious anonymity, his quests all accomplished. DIRECTORS Sadao Funatoko, Tōru Toyama CAST Ose Koichi, Fuyukichi Maki CONDITION New/Sealed COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE Australia REGION 4 (please ensure your machine will play the disc) LABEL Siren Visual NUMBER OF DISCS 3 RUNNING TIME 320 mins SPECIAL FEATURES None LANGUAGE(S) Japanese, English SUBTITLES English ASPECT RATIO 1.33:1 RATING M