Shibata's ARMED ROBBERY

[Roland Domenig]

the original titel of the film is INAZUMA GOTO (INAZUMA GOUTOU). it was made
in september 1899 by shibata tsunekichi for komada koyo. sometimes the film
is also referred to as SHIMIZU SADAKICHI or PISUTORU GOTO SHIMIZU SADAKICHI.

the film is based on one of the most spectacular criminal cases of the meiji
period. in 1882 shimizu sadakichi committed the first armed robbery in japan
using a gun. over the next four years he committed a series of armed
robberies killing 5 people. he became one of the most wanted criminals and
in 1886 he was finally arrested and eventually sentenced to death.

yokoyama unpei, who played the role of sadakichi in INAZUMA GOTO, is
regarded to be the first japanese motion picture actor. he had a very long
carrier as film actor - his last appearance was in 1962 in inagaki hiroshi's
chushingura film. 

another film about the life of shimizu sadakichi was made in 1930 by the
production company kawaii eiga. also, in korea im song-gu, one of the
pioneers of the korean 'new drama' (shinpa), staged a play based on the
story of sadakichi in 1912.


roland domenig
institute of east asian studies
vienna university
  



> Would anyone be able to tell me the original Japanese title of an 1899
> silent short by Tsunekichi Shibata, which I've only seen referred to as
> ARMED ROBBERY?
> 
> Many thanks.
> 
> Tom
>