Irezumi (Arrow Video) {Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

Arrow Video has been releasing some Japanese films this year that foreign film fans no doubt have been very exited about. Versus, The Invisible Man Appears and Shogun's Joy of Torture,

In 1966 producers brought the stylish tale of lust and betrayal from the pen of one of Japan's foremost writers of the 20th century, Junichiro Tanizaki to the screen.

Now the good folks at Arrow Video are giving this 60s Japanese film the deluxe Blu-ray treatment they are known for. And no doubt the fans are going to love this new Blu-ray release.

The film is entitled Irezumi and in Japenese that means 'inserting ink'. The story follows the life of a woman gets kidnapped and forced into prostitution. After getting a spider tattoo made on her back, she grows vengeful, leaving several men in her path.

The Blu-ray boasts of a brand new 4K scan of this film. It has been transferred in 1080p in 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a DTS-HD Master Audio Japanese  1.0. But don't worry if you don't speak Japanese, there is English Subtitles.



This transfer looks amazing the colors are bright and the picture is crisp. Than the audio is a clear as a bell. Japanese movie fans are going to be absolutely thrilled with this transfer. But Arrow Video didn't stop there. They loaded up this disc with bonus features. Take a look at what is included. 

* Brand new audio commentary by Japanese cinema scholar David Desser
* Newly filmed introduction by Japanese cinema expert Tony Rayns
* Out of the Darkness, a brand new visual essay by Asian cinema scholar Daisuke Miyao
* Original Trailer
* Image Gallery
* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella
* FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Thomas Lamarre and Daisuke Miyao

Irezumi is a classic tale of revenge and while it is not my cup of tea I know there are fans of these type of films. So this new 4K scan and the loads of bonus features is going to be a Blu-ray they are going to want to add to their collections.

If you would like to add Irezumi to your Blu-ray shelf. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today before they are gone.


Out of 4 Film reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray of Irezumi receives...