Kinagashi Bugyo (1981)

"I like cleanliness, and I have a strong sense of duty"

Magistrate of the Floating World aka The Magistrate Who Dresses Informally was an entertaining made for TV movie with an overly complicated plot. The best thing about it? Nakadai Tatsuya and his beautiful crazy eyes having a good time in a more comedic role for a change.

After three magistrates break down and quit or attempt seppuku in one year, the powers that be in Edo decide that they have run out of options and must send the eccentric Mochizuki Koheita to clean a town up. Mochizuki sends a spy ahead to tell people that he is better at “having fun” than his skills as a samurai are. In reality, he actually is a remorseless womanizer, but also a master with the sword. He never checks in with the magistrate’s office, much to the consternation of the official and scribe working there. Instead, he makes himself at home in Horisoto, the den of iniquity openly run by “samurai losers” and clandestinely by high-ranking officials who make a tidy profit on the illegal activities. The spies, corruption, traitors, and temptations make Mochizuki’s job challenging, but the laid-back magistrate takes it all in stride.

The story was based on a book which might explain the large number of characters and intrigues. Ninety minutes was scarcely time to do many of the stories and characters justice. Nakadai was the focal point as he sauntered about unarmed for most of the movie, making friends as he drank, gambled, and slept his way to discovering who was the power behind the criminal enterprise. The office duo’s continued annoyance at his unexplained absence also provided some levity as they cluelessly complained while Mochizuki quietly cleaned up the deeply imbedded criminal element.

Magistrate of the Floating World was directed by Okamoto Kihachi, who directed many big screen films. With the star power of Nakadai Tatsuya it did feel at times like something grander than a TV special though something from the 1960’s. The large number of characters briefly introduced and used even when integral to the story could make it hard to keep up with who was important and who was irrelevant. Having said all that, I did enjoy it as a Nakadai fan. If you like old samurai movies or Nakadai Tatsuya in particular, this is something to give a try.

17 July 2024

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