NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Mondo Macabro Blu-ray (February 2025): Mondo Macabro have transferred Norifumi Suzuki's Tokugawa Sex Ban to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New 2K restoration from film negative". There is an inherent softness but the overall image is quite acceptable on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Colors, including flesh-tones, appear true, decent contrast and there are even a couple of instances of depth.  

NOTE: We have added 82 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Mondo Macabro use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original Japanese language. Tokugawa Sex Ban has only a few aggressive moments - sword violence and women beating a rival women. The score is credited to actor (Norifumi Suzuki's Sex and Fury,) writer, singer-songwriter, and composer Ichirô Araki a multifaceted Japanese artist known whose career spans several creative domains, blending traditional Japanese sensibilities with bold, experimental flair. His writing showcased his ability to craft narratives that delve into taboo subjects with a mix of drama and exploitation aesthetics. The audio is flat, clear and without issue transferred in the lossless. Mondo Macabro offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Japanese film expert Jasper Sharp (Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema, The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film.) He informs us of the directly translation of the title and perplexing array of English translations; including "The Erotomaniac Daimyo" or "Tokugawa Sex Ban: Lustful Lord". Jasper discusses Toei’s “porno jidaigeki” wave, Nikkatsu and their Roman porno films, the director's other work, the cast including the French actress Sandra Julien (Ravishing Dany and Shiver of the Vampires) and much more. He talks about the film's themes including power and control. It's another excellent commentary. Included is a 17-minute interview with film critic and historian Kōshi Ueno (Postwar Rethinking) who shares his thoughts on Tokugawa Sex Ban and the director Norifumi Suzuki. Lastly is a lengthy trailer for the film.   

Norifumi Suzuki's Tokugawa Sex Ban is recognized as a pinku eiga (pink film) genre film blended with drama, comedy, and historical elements. It stars a number of beautiful Japanese actresses known for their provocative roles in the vibrant and often boundary-pushing cinema of the 1970s, particularly within the pinku eiga and exploitation genres. Ryôko Ema (Terrifying Girls' High School: Women's Violent Classroom, 1972,) Kaya Hozumi (Girl Boss Guerilla, 1972,) Ruriko Ikejima (Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight, 1973,) erotic dancer, and pin-up model Yôko Mihara (Nude Actress Murder Case: Five Criminals,) as well as Miki Sugimoto from the Girl Boss series often celebrated for her roles in the “sukeban” (delinquent girl) subgenre of Toei’s Pinky Violence films. Of course, Tokugawa Sex Ban also famously has French actress Sandra Julien (Ravishing Dany and Shiver of the Vampires) showing more skin than costuming. There is some dark, and broad, comedy and its themes reflect the genre’s penchant for provocation while engaging with broader ideas of power, tyranny, desire, objectification, sexual repression and liberation, gender dynamics / female agency, societal absurdity and even culture clashes. Tokugawa Sex Ban doesn’t aim for profound philosophy - it’s a product of Toei’s “porno jidaigeki” wave, prioritizing titillation and shock. Yet, its themes of power gone awry, sexual politics, and absurd defiance offer a satirical edge that elevates it beyond mere exploitation. It’s a chaotic snapshot of human folly, wrapped in a historical costume with a wink at its own outrageousness. It’s a fusion of traditional Japanese historical dramas typically set in the Edo period (1603–1868) with the erotic elements of the genre of softcore pornography that emerged in Japan in the 1960s. This hybrid subgenre, prominent in the early 1970s, was largely driven by Toei Company as part of their diversification into exploitation cinema during a time when mainstream film attendance was declining. The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray offers this enticing film with expert commentary and an interview. The nudity is appealing but there is value beyond that. Certainly recommended.

Gary Tooze