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Sanshiro Sugata/Judo Saga
JAPAN · 1943

Sanshiro Sugata/Judo Saga

Akira Kurosawa
martial arts discipline coming of age tradition vs modernity redemption through mentorship romance across conflict
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Synopsis

A hotheaded youth in 1880s Meiji Japan apprentices to judo master Shōgorō Yano, trading brute jujutsu bravado for discipline and humility. As Sanshirō matures, he proves judo’s spirit against old-guard challengers—including a deadly duel—while falling for his vanquished opponent’s daughter. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo.

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