DVD extras include four trailers and an onscreen text version of the liner notes included with the DVD. As a welcome and unique bonus, AnimEigo provides its customary printed set of index cards that contain fascinating background information on the period. They explain, for example, that the Shogun was revered as nearly a god (which is ironic, considering that he was the titular representative of the Emperor, who according to legend was indeed descended from the gods). Thus, it’s shocking to Ogami’s opponents when he slashes his death warrant.

It also explains why, when Ogami peels back his white death robes to reveal his official executioner’s garb – a kimono emblazoned with the Shogun’s personal crest – his would-be killers are stymied. They can’t risk slashing at Ogami, lest they risk damaging the Shogun’s emblem and incurring a shame that not even death would atone. As a result, Retsudo agrees to a one-on-one duel between Ogami and his own son in exchange for the former executioner changing his garb, and Ogami accepts, knowing that Retsudo wouldn’t dare violate an oath he delivered in public.

Like the Lone Wolf and Cub manga, the film also provides a fascinating look at Japanese life of the period, from the daimyo and samurai to the peasants and court functionaries. Of course, women have it rough in medieval Japan, and – at least in the first film – rarely influence the story (the lady ninjas will show up later). Only three have any prominence at all in the film – Itto’s wife, who is murdered by the Yagyu ninja, the prostitute Osen (who, ironically, is able to get away with sassing the bath’s samurai clientele and the bandits who run it because of her lowly position), and the deranged woman Ogami meets at the beginning of the story, who had been seduced and abandoned. (The film wastes little time depicting the depravity of the rogue samurai by showing them raping a young woman to death and killing her father who tries to intervene. Ogami does not comment on the barbaric act occurring before his eyes, but turns the cart’s sun shade down so Daigoro can’t see – an action that earns the contempt of the bandits.)

There’s a dramatic moment in which one of the bandits gets fed up with Osen’s lip, and threatens to kill her – unless Ogami will agree to have sex with her while everyone watches. Osen berates the bandit, telling him that unlike the rest of the rabble, Ogami still has honor, so he might as well kill her and get it over with. But then Ogami stands and removes his clothes, wordlessly sacrificing his samurai dignity to save her life. Osen is moved to tears at Itto’s selfless act – “For a woman like me,” she repeats to herself. Kudos to AnimEigo for adding fascinating lessons in Japanese history and culture to this samurai action flick.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance is one of the classics of samurai cinema, and AnimEigo’s great DVD is a treat no chambara fan should be without.