Named 'the King of Nikkatsu Roman Porno,' and 'the most important Japanese director to emerge during the 1970s,' filmmaker Tatsumi Kumashiro (1927 - 1995) achieved unprecedented box office as well as critical success with his cinematically lavish and narratively extravagant tales of the Tokyo underworld. This three-disc box set includes remastered editions of Kumashiro's 1970s Nikkatsu classics SAYURI ICHIJO: FOLLOWING DESIRE (1972), YAKUZA JUSTICE: EROTIC CODE OF HONOR (1973) and TWISTED PATH OF LOVE (1973). 

DISC ONE: SAYURI ICHIJO: FOLLOWING DESIRE (1972, 70 min) The sordidly glamorous world of exotic dancers gets the All About Eve treatment (two decades before Showgirls!) in Kumashiro's biggest smash-hit. This steamy soft-core outing follows one performer (Hiroko Isayama) who decides to take control of her strip-tease career by opening her own club. Her yakuza pimp, unfortunately, has other ideas. Winner of two Kinema Jumpo Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actress. 

DISC TWO: YAKUZA JUSTICE: EROTIC CODE OF HONOR (1973, 84 min) When the gorgeous daughter of a yakuza boss is beaten by local thugs, a lonely young man boldly comes to her rescue. Romancing her is treacherous enough, but then he discovers they may be blood relatives! One of Kumashiro's most satisfying and visually stunning works rife with strange yakuza and Buddhist customs and beautiful locations. Screenplay by famed Seijun Suzuki collaborator Youzou Tanaka. 

DISC THREE: TWISTED PATH OF LOVE (1973, 76 min) On the run after wasting a notorious Tokyo yakuza, Katsu finds himself hiding out in the small fishing village of his youth. He soon begins a steamy affair with Yuko, the beautiful and liberated owner of the local movie house who may also have a dangerous connection to his past. Featuring a stunning long take of a sunrise tryst on a sand dune, this film was one of Kumashiro's personal favorites.