One of only three surviving films to be directed by Sadao Yamanaka, “Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo” is a Japanese comedy that has endured through the ages. A spin-off of the popular Tange Sazen series that features one of the 1930's most famous chanbara actors, Denjiro Okochi, the film presents a merry misadventure filled with colorful characters.
Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo is screening as part of Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023
Genzaburo Yagyu (Kunitaro Sawamura) inherits nothing from his father but an old pot that is supposedly a family heirloom. However, he soon discovers that the seemingly worthless pot contains a map leading to worth one million Ryo, but not before his wife pawns it off to some junk dealers. The pot eventually lands in the hands of a young boy named Yasu, who uses it to house his precious goldfish. A mass hunt for the pot ensues as Yasu eventually crosses paths with local samurai hardman Tange Sazen (Denjiro Okochi).
There's a relentless cheeriness that pervades Yamanaka's film that makes it a delight to behold. From exaggerated performances to goofy characterisations, this is a playful comedy in every sense. That's not to say that nothing serious happens in “Pot Worth a Million Ryo”. On the contrary, orphanhood, poverty, and infidelity all feature, yet they're presented in a manner that's as witty as it is earnest. Tange Sazen's valiant efforts at fatherhood and Genzaburo's pitiful attempts to escape married life are oddly endearing.
The hunt for the titular pot might be the main driving force behind the narrative, but it's far from the focus. A series of misfortunes bring our various characters together, and it's in the relationships that they form where the film's heart lies. Silly coincidences and misunderstandings pull our characters into several comedic situations, the best of which comes when a frustrated Tange takes on an entire swordplay dojo that's revealed to be overseen by a familiar face. The narrative is more about the journey than the destination, the central pot more valuable for bringing these loveable characters together than leading them to an actual fortune.
Of course, one of the film's major draws is the performance of Denjiro Okochi as the famed fictional character Tange Sazen. The strong-jawed actor, best remembered for his jidaigeki roles, presents a grumpy yet soft-hearted Sazen who, despite his grumblings, has a strong moral compass. Along with the reluctant mistress Ofuji, played here by a sassy Shibashi Kiyozo, Sazen takes Yasu under his wing, playing a surprisingly active role in the boy's upbringing. The chemistry between Okochi and Kiyozo is wonderful, as the pair bicker relentlessly, with the free-loading Sazen usually giving in to his lodger's demands.
A classic comedy in every sense, “Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo” is a stellar example of the enduring nature of early sound cinema in Japan. While the nature of comedy on film has dramatically changed over time, this is still a charmingly humorous caper that is sure to bring a smile. Now available to watch in full, courtesy of a crisp 4K restoration, this essential Tange Sazen tale is light-hearted and thoroughly entertaining.
