Often included in Critic's top ten lists, KWAIDAN is a truly outstanding experience.Four ghost stories are included 'The Black Hair', 'The Woman of the Snow', 'Hoichi, the Earless' and 'In a Cup of Tea' - each with a classic Horror theme. Oscar nominated (Best Foreign Film) and Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes, it's not difficult to see how KWAIDAN has inspired generations of horror filmmakers that followed - put simply- a masterpiece.
THE BLACK HAIR
A masterless Samurai abandons his wife and re-marries again into a wealthier family. Soon he finds his new life, an empty one, and longs for the wife he ignored. When he returns to her, he finds that things have changed.
THE WOMAN OF THE SNOW
Caught in a blizzard, two woodcutters Mosaku and Minokichi take shelter in a nearby shack. Visited by a ghostly woman, she drains the blood of Mosaku and makes Minokichi promise never to tell. Years later, happily married, Minokichi begins to tell his wife about that mysterious night.
HOICHI, THE EARLESS
Hoichi is a blind servant, besieged by spirits from a battle 700 years before. To protect him, the temple priests cover him with mysterious prayer symbols - but there is one thing that they have overlooked.
IN A CUP OF TEA
Visiting a temple and taking tea, Lord Sato sees a strange face reflected inside the cup. Later that night, the man in the cup of tea comes to visit with a message for Lord Sato.