Blind Woman's Curse (1971)

Strangely surreal & ethereal + even quite artistic Japanese Cinema starring the strikingly-beautiful & efficiently-Lethal Meiko Kaji who would later mold an indelible-presence as irresistible-assassin 'Lady Snowblood' (i.e. the Japanese cult-cinema icon that became major creative-inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill'). Meiko Kaji was not only the quintessential razor-sharp sword-wielding action-icon in the 1970's, she was a fantastically powerful (and poignant) vocalist in addition.  Her films usually showcase an emotionally-resonant theme song that helps create the appropriate atmosphere blending Kaji's inner-pain & passion + perseverance = common to most of the unforgettable protagonists she portrayed throughout the1970's like justifiably vengeful 'Lady Snowblood' along with prisoner 'Scorpion'"Blind Woman's Curse" (original Japanese Title: "Hîchirimen bâkuto - nôbarydu takahadâ") is one of Meiko Kaji's earliest films circa1970, atmospheric and colorfully-gruesome in parts & pieces but also genuinely artistic......... and Meiko Kaji is especially fantastic as 'Akemi Tachibana' leading a violent Yakuza Clan's long-standing feud against a competing rival group.  The eponymous 'Blind Woman' who focuses her violent 'curse' against Akemi complete with mystical black cat sidekick is named 'Aiko' who had been blinded by Akemi while attempting to defend her clan-leader father from Akemi's 'death-thrust' Blind 'Aiko' spent the previous five years honing her own Lethal-prowess wielding the razor-sharp katana....... ready for a Final 'slash' to the death with Akemi.I have to say that the sword-duel final-showdown between Meiko Kaji's 'Akemi' and Hoki Tokuda's 'Aiko' complete with mystical black-cat on tag-team, is certainly one of the most atmospheric and beautifully-photographed smack-down finales I have ever seen in Cinema...... not just in terms of the 'action' sequence itself, but even more so within the searingly-indelible expressions cast on the two actresses faces before they strike!   It's deeply-perplexing how Japanese filmmakers have always had a singularly-unique ability to transform cinematic-violence into a genuinely ethereal and even strikingly beautiful Artform.

Teruo Ishii's film The Blind Woman's Curse (aka The Tattooed Swordswoman) is a strange mix of elements from yakuza films, bakeneko ghost films, ero-guro, fun Asiansploitation trashiness and it even has a visual style reminiscent of Dario Argento at turns. The gorgeous Meiko Kaji (this is the first film she acted in under that name) is obviously the main selling point here, although she doesn't have as much runtime as in her later films.The plot of this film is almost an inconsistent mess, mixing yakuza turf wars, a ghastly black cat able to fly at low altitudes, expressionistic set design, circus elements (with a performance by Butoh dancer Tatsumi Hijikata, who also appeared in Ishii's Horrors of Malformed Men), some boobage and copious amounts of blood (especially for a film from 1970). The villains' headquarters are pretty wild, with plenty of slide screens and mirrors, booby traps and so on.While this film is very entertaining, it suffers from bad editing and sometimes unconvincing special effects, especially if we're talking about the aforementioned cat. The dialogues could be better and there are some really lousy performances, not to mention the bad ending (even though it was cool how the two fighters just produce the swirling-cloud backdrop out of nowhere and decide to fight on that location as if it were a Mortal Kombat game). There are a few songs sung by Meiko Kaji, but they're not as memorable as the ones in Lady Snowblood. Overall it's a fun film, but there's not much to it besides that. Really cool poster, though.

This action-horror-thriller from Japan begins with the main character, Akemi, leading an imperialist attack against the rival Goudan clan.Akemi is a master swordstress; the enforcer for a Yakuza-like clan known as the Tachibanas- of which she is second in line to inherit leadership of. One element of a five person team: all of whom are marked with a segment of dragon tattooed across their backs. Their collective technique and style, renders them best described as the Dragon Force. And, seeing as Akemi is their leader...she sports the head.While engaged in this opening battle, Akemi is about to strike down the Goudan leader...when his younger sister- Aiko- suddenly rushes to his side, in an attempt to beg for his life to be spared. But Akemi strikes without flinching. And when she does, she accidentally grazes the face of Aiko, as well. Blinding her in the process.At this moment a strange black cat appears, lapping up the blood oozing from Aoki's eyes...before leaping at Akemi.Whereas the Tachibana clan emerge from the battle largely victorious, most of their men are killed, or imprisoned- lncluding Akemi. While locked up, she suffers from recurring nightmares that haunt her with images of Aoki and the cat. Though, she still manages to use this oppourtunity to rebuild her fighting force in Orange-Is-The-New-Black fashion.Once Akemi is released from prison, the Tachibana clan confront a rival gang called the Azoras- who had taken control of their territory in her absence. The rival gang leader is a hilariously, bizarre character who walks around in assless chaps. If anyone has caught Guy Moshe's Bunraku, it's quite evident that Kevin McKidd's Killer #2 character (and his gang of redcoats) are based off this guy (and his gang).A local, social justice oriented, lone wolf-type, named Tatsu, intervenes in the confrontation on behalf of Akemi and the Tachibanas- though he does not represent any particular clan, himself. Either way, it is his intervention that helps run the Azoras off...and Akemi won't forget it- as she's become enamoured by him.Everything seems to be going well for the Tachibanas after this. That is, until a traitor named Aniki, aligns himself with the Dobashi clan- who are planning to rid themselves of the Tachibana's, once and for all. The Dobashi leader has been hatching a plot to manufacture a conflict between the Tachibanas and Azoras, with the hope they will severely weaken each other in a war- allowing their clan to move in and seize control in the aftermath.A mysterious blind woman suddenly shows up and presents herself to the Dobashis- seeking employment and wishing to join their cause. After testing her skills, their leader accepts her proposition- allowing her to join the ranks. Though, it quickly becomes clear that she is the one manipulating the Dobashi leader into acting on her suggestions.This mysterious woman is Aoki. She has become a witch, who uses a black cat- and madman that acts like a cat- to plague Akemi and the Tachibanas with her curse.This is where stuff starts to get a bit confusing and weird... After going to what has got to be one of the oddest stage-show attractions ever seen, some Tachibana members are found murdered...only to reanimate into what seems like a zombie-type state. While others are killed and left with the tattoos skinned from their backs.Only Akemi knows what is going on. As, in each instance, she witnessed the presence of a black cat and/or the madman. She is well aware that it is Aoki, out to reap vengeance on her and those she is close to- mainly, Tatsu and her clan. Hence why Aoki and the Dobashis use them against her.Inevitably, the whole story wraps up with an epically, atmospheric showdown where Akemi and Aoki go head-to-head with one another. However, --SPOILER-- it doesn't end in bloodshed. As, when Akemi slays the cat- who tries to blindside her at one point- Aoki snaps out of the demonic trance that had beholden her, and which was responsible for diving her toward rage and revenge.Seems Aoki wasn't doing the cursing after all. Rather, she had been the one who was cursed all along.This is a beautifully stylish film, with a great blend of action, mystery, horror and comedy. The characters are particularly excellent. Especially Kantoro, and the Azora leader- who is just wild. My biggest beef with this film would be the editing, which I found to be quite choppy and amateurish at parts (but that is really nitpicking). It's particularly worth watching for it's female-oriented cast- all of whom do a great job, other than at a few weak sword fighting scenes (though this is the fault of both the male and female actors). I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt, but I liked how Ishii wraps things up. Thoroughly enjoyed the film, overall.6.5 out of 10.

Like France's Jean Rollin, Japan's Teruo Ishii stands for something. His films have a blazing signature. His obsessions are up there on the screen. The plots are coat hangers to hang his fetishes on. "Blind Woman's Curse" is a mixed genre extravaganza that is one part yakuza melodrama, one part sword opera, and one part horror film. Although it doesn't hold together dramatically, it is still a fantastic piece of fantasy cinema. Meiko "Scorpion" Kaji, one of the sexiest women ever to have graced the silver screen, is the head honcho of a gang who have been marked for extinction by a strange, blind swordwoman (Hoki Tokuda) and her hunchback servant (is there any other?) At the same time, another clan has it in for Meiko and her feisty, fighting girls. Ishii slathers on the macabre and bizarre in this wonderful, malformed romp. A grotesque night carnival is one of the film's highlights, as is a flesh-carrying, blood-drinking black cat that makes a strong impression. The activities of the hunchback are always fun to watch, as are the scenes of human skinning, tattoo removal, and sexual coercion. Like every Ishii film, except the execrable "Blind Beast Versus Killer Dwarf", this is a colorful, lurid compendium of cinematic delights.