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

ADDITION: Radiance Blu-ray (June 2025): Radiance has transferred Tai Katō's The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a maxed out bitrate. The transfer showcases a high level of detail with layered contrasts that highlight the film’s stark cinematography, particularly in the high-contrast lighting of Oiwa’s ghostly appearances and the textured shadows that define Iemon’s descent into madness. Grain is naturally preserved, lending an authentic filmic texture, while minor imperfections, like faint scratches, are kept to maintain the historical feel rather than scrubbed away. The 1080P balances the film’s moody atmosphere with clarity, ensuring that the subtle makeup effects on Oiwa’s disfigurement and the intricate set designs stand out, making this a visually striking release for fans of Japanese horror. The HD presentation is consistent, clean, and pleasing, devoid of egregious visual flaws.

NOTE: We have added 56 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE,

On their Blu-ray, Radiance uses a linear PCM mono track (16-bit) in the original Japanese language. The clarity is impressive, allowing the sparse soundscape - featuring creaking floors, rustling winds, and Oiwa’s haunting, distorted voice - to shine with a crispness that enhances the psychological tension. Traditional instruments, like the shamisen and taiko drums used (score by Nakaba Takahashi - over 200 compositions to his credit) in The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost, are rendered with appropriate depth. Their sharp notes and resonant beats punctuate key moments without overpowering the dialogue. The monaural suits the film’s minimalist aesthetic with no noticeable distortion or loss of fidelity, providing an authentic and immersive listening experience that complements the visual horror. All good. Radiance offers optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Radiance Blu-ray offers supplements. The interview with filmmaker Mari Asato (9 minutes, filmed in March 2025) offers a thoughtful discussion of her admiration for director Tai Katō (Eighteen Years in Prison, By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him, I, the Executioner) and The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost, providing insights into its influence on modern J-horror. The visual essay by scholar Lindsay Nelson (Circulating Fear: Japanese Horror, Fractured Realities, and New Media) - running 7 minutes, created in 2025 - explores Oiwa’s legacy and the archetype of tormented female ghosts that she inspired, enriched with archival footage and analysis. Additional physical extras include a reversible sleeve (see below), featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow, and a limited edition booklet with new writing by Tom Mes (Japanese Film and the Challenge of Video) and an archival review, making this a desirable selection of supplements.

Tai Katō's The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost is a cinematic retelling of the Edo-period ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, one of Japan’s most enduring kaidan (ghost tales). The film begins by establishing Tamiya Iemon (Tomisaburo Wakayama - Eighteen Years in Prison, The Bounty Hunter Trilogy, Big Time Gambling Boss) as a flawed, egomaniacal figure whose reputation has been tarnished by a murder scandal. His desire to reclaim Oiwa (Ayuko Fujishiro - Tora-san Meets His Lordship, Mizoguchi's Miss Oyu,) who left him, is less about love than about restoring his wounded pride and social standing. The characters, particularly Iemon and Oiwa, are archetypes of the Kaidan genre: the treacherous male driven by greed and the wronged woman whose suffering fuels her supernatural power. At its core, the film is a morality tale about the consequences of betrayal. Oiwa’s vengeance is not merely personal but cosmic, restoring moral order through supernatural justice. The film suggests that human greed and cruelty are more horrifying than any supernatural entity -- a theme that grounds the fantastical elements in a gritty realism. The onryō figure, exemplified by Oiwa, is a staple of Japanese folklore, embodying the idea that death does not erase injustice. The Radiance Blu-ray release of The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost is a definitive home video presentation of Tai Katō’s 1961 masterpiece, offering a meticulously restored video and audio experience that honors the film’s historical and artistic integrity. The inclusion of insightful extras (Mari Asato’s interview and Lindsay Nelson’s visual essay) deepen appreciation for the film’s cultural and cinematic significance. This release stands out as an essential addition for fans of Kaidan eiga, providing both a high-quality viewing experience and a rich exploration of Oiwa’s enduring legacy, making it a standout entry in Radiance’s 2025 catalog. Certainly recommended. 

Gary Tooze