It may be marginally improved in-motion. This would be where the 4K superiority would show up.

The audio is also liner PCM (as other two) - it is 24-bit - as opposed to 16. It still exports the inherent weaknesses and limitations of the original production but it carries a shade more depth and I would guess it is superior. The Criterion is region 'A' and has optional English subtitles. 

Criterion include, as the only digital extra, a new (June 2016) interview with critic Phillip Lopate about the evolution of director Kenji Mizoguchi’s style and why The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum was a turning point in his career as a filmmaker. It runs 21-minutes. There is also a liner notes booklet with an essay by film scholar Dudley Andrew.

Absolute masterpiece film that only improves with age. The Criterion wins with the 4K and the Lopate interview and booklet. This should be a part of every digital library.

ADDITION: Shochiku Home Video - Region 'A' Blu-ray - February 2016: Firstly, The Artificial Eye Mizoguchi Blu-ray Collection is fully reviewed HERE - and the comments are duplicated below. As for this newer Shochiku Home Video Region 'A' - compatible Blu-ray,  it appears to be a different source and is also a more, extremely, robust transfer. It shows some wonderful grain, more information in the frame than the AE transfer, and is darker with richer black levels. The visuals might be marginally tighter and the AE looks a bit boosted beside the Shochiku.  It starts out with a restoration text page:

Fans should be encouraged that the Janus Films company is mentioned which we can probably assume it will be coming to Criterion 1080P at some point.

The other notable difference from the AE will be the subtitle translation. I can't speak to the correctness - but it seems to flow well according to how I remember seeing the film in Western-derived translations. Subtitles are available in both English or Japanese. There are no digital extras but there is a poster card of the BD's cover in the package (in English.)

***

ON THE Artificial Eye package: This is a 4 Blu-ray package. A big part of the monumental appeal for this new Boxset from Artificial Eye in the UK is to have The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum in any type of representational quality. Of the 4 films it is the only one on a dual-layered transfer - more, I suspect, because of the film's length. All 4 renderings are at a strong 30+ Mbps. Often what the SD Criterion/Eclipse exported as noise the new, brighter, Blu-ray transfers show as wonderfully rich, thick, grain. The appealing textures are the most significant part of the HD presentation, in my opinion. I can't say enough about it and even made some of the below captures PNG files to try to convey this film-like beauty. Of course, there is still damage but overall this is a highly beneficial upgrade.

These appear to be from the same source as the Criterion DVDs but in 1080P grandeur 'fullness' is realized to an extent that cinema fans will appreciate the most. Could these are looked better if they were all dual-layered? - I doubt it. The bitrate is max'ed out and the thickness is there in abundance. These blew me away in the pitch-blackness of my home theater.

The audio is, predictably, weaker than one might hope. It is all transferred in lossless linear PCM mono - with the option for Dolby mono. It seems devoid of any major flaws (dropouts, pops) but there is a subtle 'crackle'. I honestly expect that this is the best it will sound. Acceptably imperfect. There are optional English subtitles (see sample below) on the region 'B'-locked discs.

Unfortunately no extras on the screener discs that I was sent. Even bare-bones this has immense value to Mizoguchi, or Japanese film, fans in general. Utamaro and His Five Women is a hoot.

This is a rare, landmark, Blu-ray set and one that many serious film devotees will gravitate to and cherish. For North Americans - another in the many reasons to have a region FREE Blu-ray player. We can warmly recommend!

Gary W. Tooze