The Saga of Tanegashima
鉄砲伝来記
Synopsis
Well before “Shogun” as warring clans were fighting for power throughout Japan, a Portuguese vessel ran aground off Tanegashima. Lord Tokitaka helped Captain Pinto repair his ship. The grateful captain offered the lord a gift--a matchlock musket—the first firearm ever seen in Japan. But like a great stone hurled into placid waters, this simple gift will start a revolution. Tokitaka tasks Kinbei, his greatest swordsmith, to copy this musket and build guns for Japan. While Kinbei struggles to forge Japan’s first musket, a great love blooms between Captain Pinto and Kinbei’s daughter Wakasa. But for Kinbei, to let Wakasa marry Pinto and go to Portugal is unthinkable. And as Kinbei creates Japan’s first matchlock factory, Lord Oda Nobunaga will seize upon firearms as the key to sweep all other clans before him, tearing a blood-soaked path of destruction through Japan.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Rick Jason
Captain Pinto
Ayako Wakao
Wakasa
Eijirō Tōno
Kinbei Yaita
Shiho Fujimura
Otane
Jun Fujimaki
Nobunaga Oda
Asao Koike
Matasaburo Tachibanaya
Ichirō Nakatani
Sakuji
Rokkō Toura
Wufeng
Ryūtarō Gomi
Tokitada Oribenojô
Taketoshi Naitō
Tokiaki Tanegashima
Kōichi Mizuhara
Shigeomi
Saburo Date
Tokunoshin Wakita
Gen Kimura
Tokuzô
Flemming Pedersen
Wakami
Jun Fujikawa
Release History & Theatrical Window
May 18, 1968
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Kazuo Mori
- Screenplay & Story
- Kimiyuki Hasegawa
- Original Title
- 鉄砲伝来記
- Country of Origin
- Japan
- Spoken Languages
- Japanese
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Production Studios
- Daiei Film
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Kazuo Mori
Kimiyuki Hasegawa, Etsuko Takano
Department Leadership Roster
Kazuo Mori
Director
Etsuko Takano
Writer
Kimiyuki Hasegawa
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Saga of Tanegashima.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Saga of Tanegashima.
list11
Similar Titles to The Saga of Tanegashima
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
7.8
6.5
7.4
10.0
7.5Anime
7.8Anime
9.0
7.9
6.0Anime
7.4
7.2
9.3
7.0
8.8
6.9
More Like The Saga of Tanegashima
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Saga of Tanegashima
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Saga of Tanegashima about?
Well before “Shogun” as warring clans were fighting for power throughout Japan, a Portuguese vessel ran aground off Tanegashima. Lord Tokitaka helped Captain Pinto repair his ship. The grateful captain offered the lord a gift--a matchlock musket—the first firearm ever seen in Japan. But like a great stone hurled into placid waters, this simple gift will start a revolution. Tokitaka tasks Kinbei, his greatest swordsmith, to copy this musket and build guns for Japan. While Kinbei struggles to forge Japan’s first musket, a great love blooms between Captain Pinto and Kinbei’s daughter Wakasa. But for Kinbei, to let Wakasa marry Pinto and go to Portugal is unthinkable. And as Kinbei creates Japan’s first matchlock factory, Lord Oda Nobunaga will seize upon firearms as the key to sweep all other clans before him, tearing a blood-soaked path of destruction through Japan.
Who directed The Saga of Tanegashima?
The Saga of Tanegashima was directed by Kazuo Mori.
Who stars in The Saga of Tanegashima?
The principal cast of The Saga of Tanegashima includes Rick Jason, Ayako Wakao, Eijirō Tōno, Shiho Fujimura, Jun Fujimaki.
When was The Saga of Tanegashima released and how long is it?
The Saga of Tanegashima was released in 1968 with a total runtime of 1h 49m.