Ginpei From Koina: Migratory Bird of Winter

Shimoda, Izu, the venerable Amimoto Onabe family is repeatedly harassed by the upstart Hotate family, who targeted their fishing grounds. Ginpei, the head of the Onabe family, is in love with Oichi, the only daughter of Gohei, the adviser. Ginpei is told that he plans to have her marry Unokichi. Finally, the Onabe family and the Hotate family get into a fight, and Ginpei kills Tajiro, the hotate family’s proxy. Ginpei leaves Oichi in Unokichi’s care and sets off on a treacherous journey. Five years later, while traveling, Ginpei learns that the boss of the Onabe family has died and that the Hotate family is in trouble… Ginpei then returns to Shimoda.

Directed by Yūichi Harada, Ginpei From Koina: Migratory Bird of Winter leans on a strong ensemble — Tokie Sada, Ryuji Katagiri, Ryoko Sakaguchi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about tv movie titles of 1983.