Sazen Tange and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo

| 1935

Directed by: Sadao Yamanaka

Main Plot

"Sazen Tange and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo" is a classic Japanese film directed by Sadao Yamanaka that blends humor with samurai drama. The story revolves around a one-eyed, one-armed swordsman named Tange Sazen, who inadvertently becomes the guardian of a highly valuable antique pot. Unbeknownst to him, the pot contains a treasure map, making it extremely valuable. Various parties, including greedy samurai, corrupt officials, and opportunistic thieves, pursue the pot, each hoping to claim the hidden fortune for themselves. As these characters intersect and clash, a series of comedic and action-packed events unfold. Throughout the film, Tange Sazen navigates these challenges with wit and skill, often outsmarting his adversaries. The film is celebrated for its unique blend of satire and adventure, and it provides a critique of greed and corruption while also showcasing the virtues of cunning and resourcefulness.

Characters

  • Denjirô Ôkôchi plays Sazen Tange, a one-armed, one-eyed samurai who inadvertently acquires a valuable pot, leading to comedic and action-packed adventures involving treasure hunters.
  • Kiyozo is a young boy who discovers the invaluable pot, setting off a series of events involving deception, greed, and the pursuit of the pot by various factions.
  • Kunitarô Sawamura plays Sazen Tange, a one-armed, one-eyed samurai who unexpectedly acquires a valuable tea pot, leading to comedic and adventurous entanglements.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of 'Sazen Tange and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo', directed by Sadao Yamanaka, the story reaches its climax around the misunderstandings and chaos caused by a seemingly invaluable pot. Throughout the film, various characters, including greedy samurai, corrupt officials, and opportunistic thieves, mistakenly believe that the pot is filled with treasure, leading to a series of comedic and dramatic interactions. The protagonist, Sazen Tange, a one-armed, one-eyed samurai, initially dismisses the pot as worthless but becomes inadvertently entangled in the ensuing conflicts. As the plot unfolds, the true value of the pot is humorously revealed not to be in any hidden treasure, but in its craftsmanship and the tea ceremony it is used for, symbolizing simplicity and the essence of Zen aesthetics. In the end, the pot helps expose the true nature and intentions of the characters involved. Sazen, with his keen understanding and straightforward approach, emerges as the moral center of the story. The film concludes on a note of irony and social critique, as those who chased wealth without understanding its true nature are left with nothing, while Sazen, who valued the pot for its rightful purpose, benefits from the wisdom it symbolizes.

Sadao Yamanaka Comedy Drama Denjirô Ôkôchi Kiyozo Kunitarô Sawamura