The Pokey...It's not just for Criminals

Places: From 1965 to 1972, Ken Takakura starred in a series of films beginning with Teruo Ishii's "Abashiri Prison". The series went on to produce 17 films. Abashiri was one of many Takakura's film series and helped launch him into the industry mainstream. At this junction of his career, he would become the face of the Ninkyo Yakuza Eiga.

A while back on some forum, some kind soul posted a link to the Abashiri Prison Museum. Can't remember who it was, but all due credit of course, whoever you are. Then again, I'm all about unoriginality, copyright infringing, stealing and plagiarism (duh, who isn't). Anyway, I'm trying to start a new "label" (blog) regarding locations or points of interest in YE films. Big news, I know. Don't stop the presses just yet. It's not like I'm some momo working on location for CNN reporting worldly news.

Anyhoo, above is a link to the museum previously mentioned. The site actually has an English section for the gaijin folk. It's very informative regarding the prison and the area. It supplies some pic's of the museum and environment as well. Hokkaido looks like a very picturesque island. Kind of reminds me of Maine here on the east coast. Here's the Wiki entry for Abishiri and some photos I found on the web from some random. Below are some links to other Hokkaido brick or brack. As for the films, you can find boots online or go to yesasia.com or such crookery to purchase super pricey (cha-ching!) Region 2 merch.

Easy Guide to Hokkaido
Blogger - Hokkaido Travel

(Abashiri Prison series starring Ken Takakura)
Abashiri Prison (1965) (Pt.1)
Abashiri Prison: Continuation (1965) (Pt. 2)

Abashiri Prison: Duel at the Wharf (1965) (Pt.3)
Abashiri Prison: Hokkai Territory (1966) (Pt.4)
Abashiri Prison: Duel in the Wilderness (1966) (Pt.5)
Abashiri Prison: Duel in the Snow (1966) (Pt.6)
Abashiri Prison: Duel at 30 Degree below Zero (1967) (Pt.7)
Abashiri Prison: Fight against Vice (1967) (Pt.8)
Abashiri Prison: Battle in a Blizzard (1967) (Pt.9)
New Abashiri Prison Story (1969) (Pt.10)
New Abashiri Prison: Duel at Runin Key (1969) (Pt.11)
New Abashiri Prison: Drifter at the Edge of the World (1969) (Pt.12)
New Abashiri Prison: Duel in the Forest (1970) (Pt.13)
New Abashiri Prison: Lone Wolf lost in the Blizzard (1970) (Pt.14)
New Abashiri Prison: Inviting the Storm to Shiretoko Key (1971) (Pt.15)
New Abashiri Prison: Great Escape in a Blizzard (1971) (Pt.16)
New Abashiri Prison: A Pledge of honor invites the Storm (1972)(Pt.17)