# Yojimbo

> 1961 film directed by Akira Kurosawa

**Wikidata**: [Q20475](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20475)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yojimbo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yojimbo

## Summary
Yojimbo is a 1961 Japanese samurai film directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshirô Mifune as a ronin who manipulates rival gangs in a small town. Known for its dark humor, moral ambiguity, and influence on the Western genre, it is celebrated as one of Kurosawa's masterpieces and a landmark in world cinema.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: April 25, 1961 (Japan), September 13, 1961 (Venice Film Festival), May 21, 1982 (re-release in the U.S.)
- **Director**: Akira Kurosawa
- **Starring**: Toshirô Mifune, Eijirô Tôno, Seizaburô Katô, Tatsuya Nakadai
- **Genre**: Samurai film, Western (influence)
- **Production Company**: Toho
- **Country of Origin**: Japan
- **Runtime**: 110 minutes
- **Language**: Japanese
- **Budget**: ¥200 million (approx. $1.8 million USD in 1961)
- **Box Office**: ¥450 million (approx. $4 million USD in 1961)
- **Awards**: Golden Lion at the 22nd Venice Film Festival (1961)
- **Influence**: Inspired Sergio Leone's *A Fistful of Dollars* (1964) and the Western genre
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 49 language editions
- **IMDb ID**: tt0055630
- **Wikidata ID**: Q575014
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 96%
- **Metacritic Score**: 93/100
- **Related Films**: Preceded by *The Hidden Fortress* (1958), followed by *Sanjuro* (1962)

## FAQs
**What is Yojimbo's significance in film history?**  
Yojimbo redefined the samurai genre with its morally ambiguous protagonist and influenced global cinema, notably inspiring Sergio Leone's *A Fistful of Dollars*. It won the Golden Lion at the 1961 Venice Film Festival and is ranked among the greatest films ever made.

**Who stars in Yojimbo and what roles do they play?**  
Toshirô Mifune stars as Sanjuro Kuwabatake, a masterless samurai who orchestrates conflict between rival gangs. The cast includes Eijirô Tôno, Seizaburô Katô, and Tatsuya Nakadai as key figures in the town's power struggle.

**How was Yojimbo produced and distributed?**  
Produced by Toho on a ¥200 million budget, Yojimbo premiered in Japan in April 1961 and later at the Venice Film Festival. It grossed ¥450 million domestically and was re-released in the U.S. in 1982, expanding its international reach.

**What themes and style characterize Yojimbo?**  
The film explores themes of greed, manipulation, and existentialism through a stark, minimalist aesthetic. Kurosawa's use of long takes, dynamic composition, and Toshirô Mifune's iconic performance define its visual and narrative style.

## Why It Matters
Yojimbo matters as a groundbreaking work that transcended cultural boundaries, reshaping both Japanese cinema and the Western genre. Its exploration of human nature and innovative storytelling techniques continue to influence filmmakers, ensuring its status as a timeless classic. The film's success also solidified Akira Kurosawa's reputation as a master filmmaker and Toshirô Mifune's iconic status as a cinematic actor.

## Notable For
- **Moral Ambiguity**: Pioneered the "anti-hero" archetype in samurai films, rejecting traditional honor codes.
- **Cinematic Influence**: Directly inspired Sergio Leone's *A Fistful of Dollars*, bridging Eastern and Western cinema.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Winner of the Golden Lion at the 1961 Venice Film Festival and ranked #23 in *Sight & Sound*'s 2002 "Greatest Films of All Time" poll.
- **Cultural Legacy**: Frequently referenced in media, including *The Simpsons* and *Kill Bill*, cementing its pop culture footprint.
- **Technical Mastery**: Renowned for Kurosawa's direction, including the iconic "death tuba" scene and minimalist set design.

## Body

### Production and Release
Yojimbo was produced by Toho in 1961 on a budget of ¥200 million, starring Toshirô Mifune as the cunning ronin Sanjuro Kuwabatake. The film premiered in Japan on April 25, 1961, and later at the Venice Film Festival on September 13, 1961, where it won the Golden Lion. It grossed ¥450 million domestically and was re-released in the U.S. in 1982, introducing it to new audiences.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Akira Kurosawa
- **Screenplay**: Akira Kurosawa, Ryūzō Kikushima
- **Cinematography**: Kazuo Miyagawa
- **Music**: Masaru Satō
- **Cast**: Toshirô Mifune, Eijirô Tôno, Seizaburô Katô, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura

### Themes and Style
Yojimbo deconstructs traditional samurai honor, presenting a protagonist who thrives on chaos. The film's black-and-white cinematography, long takes, and minimalist sets create a stark, claustrophobic atmosphere. Kurosawa's use of silence and composition emphasizes tension, while Masaru Satō's score incorporates a haunting, jazzy tuba motif.

### Influence and Legacy
Yojimbo's influence extends beyond Japan, inspiring Sergio Leone's *A Fistful of Dollars* (1964) and redefining the Western genre. The film's exploration of moral ambiguity and anti-heroism resonated globally, influencing directors like Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese. Ranked #23 in *Sight & Sound*'s 2002 poll, it remains a staple in film studies and pop culture.

### Related Works
- **Preceded By**: *The Hidden Fortress* (1958)
- **Followed By**: *Sanjuro* (1962), a direct sequel also starring Toshirô Mifune
- **Adaptations**: Inspired *A Fistful of Dollars* and referenced in *Kill Bill: Volume 1* (2003)

### Cultural Impact
Yojimbo's iconic scenes, such as the "death tuba" sequence, are frequently parodied and homaged. The film's themes of manipulation and survival continue to resonate, making it a timeless commentary on human nature. Its release during Japan's post-war economic boom also reflected societal anxieties, solidifying its place as a cultural artifact.

## References

1. IMDb
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/straz-przyboczna)
3. Online-Filmdatenbank
4. FilmAffinity
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055630/fullcredits)
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. The Movie Database
8. Yojimbo. Rotten Tomatoes
9. [Yojimbo (1961): Release Info. IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055630/releaseinfo)
10. Douban
11. Lexicon of international films
12. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055630/releaseinfo)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [Yojimbo (1961): Technical Specifications. IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055630/technical)
15. [NetEase](http://public.163.com/special/thebodyguard/)
16. Kinopoisk
17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/yojimbo-1/)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. film distribution certificate
20. Bechdel Test Movie List
21. mymovies.it
22. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/E48D-6E97-84B5-D3F1-A78C-T)
23. Danish Film Database
24. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/95207)
25. Trakt.tv
26. FilmVandaag.nl