Black Lizard (1968) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Black Lizard kidnapped Sanae to force her father, jeweler Shobei Iwase, to hand over the Star of Egypt, a priceless South African diamond that Iwase guarded jealously. The kidnapping was a calculated scheme to steal the gem while using Sanae as leverage.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Mrs. Midorikawa visited Sanae at the club, introducing her to Yamakawa, which set the abduction in motion.

• black lizard
• sanae kidnapping
• star of egypt
• ransom
• jeweler

Black Lizard is a master of disguise who posed as Mrs. Midorikawa, an elderly woman who approached Sanae at the club. She used this disguise to manipulate events from behind the scenes, slipping away in men's clothing when the police closed in.

Foreshadowing: Mrs. Midorikawa's introduction of Yamakawa to Sanae appears innocent at first but was actually the setup for the kidnapping.

• black lizard identity
• disguise
• mrs midorikawa
• master criminal

Junichi Amamiya was a depressed, brooding man who had been manipulated by Black Lizard into orchestrating the kidnapping. Detective Akechi discovered that Amamiya was working under the thief's influence, using the alias Yamakawa to approach Sanae.

Foreshadowing: Akechi's early deduction that Yamakawa was not who he claimed to be led to Amamiya's identification as the kidnapper.

• junichi amamiya
• yamakawa
• manipulation
• kidnapper

Yoko Sakurayama is a woman hired to impersonate Sanae, she was Sanae's double. After being taken to the island, the captive believed to be Sanae was actually Yoko, who had been employed for the scheme.

Foreshadowing: When Junichi is captured on the island, he discovers that the woman he thought was Sanae is actually Yoko, her double.

• yoko sakurayama
• sanae double
• impostor
• island

Junichi chose to become a preserved human statue, one of Black Lizard's dolls, so he could remain forever with Yoko, the woman he loved. He deliberately allowed himself to be captured to be transformed into a doll and stay by her side.

Foreshadowing: On the island, Junichi attempts an escape but is caught; instead of resisting further, he accepts becoming a doll to be with Yoko.

• junichi
• doll
• love
• island
• transformation

The Star of Egypt is an enormous, priceless South African diamond owned by jeweler Shobei Iwase, which he treasured with almost religious devotion. Black Lizard targeted this gem specifically as the ultimate prize in her kidnapping scheme.

Foreshadowing: The diamond is mentioned early as Iwase's most prized possession, making it the logical target for a jewel thief.

• star of egypt
• diamond
• iwase
• jewel
• ransom

Sanae was smuggled out of her father's house inside a sofa with a hidden compartment, allowing her to be transported to the exchange at New Shinonome pier without drawing attention. Akechi used this same compartment to stow away and overhear Black Lizard's plans.

Foreshadowing: Iwase demanded the sofa be removed from his house, providing the perfect cover for Sanae's extraction.

• sofa
• hidden compartment
• sanae
• transport
• disguise

Black Lizard died by consuming poison after Detective Akechi revealed that she was the killer of the real Matsukichi, who was murdered in the sofa compartment. Confronted with her crimes and the poison taking hold, she confessed and died.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Akechi discovered that the caller of death, the actual killer, remained unidentified until the final confrontation.

• black lizard death
• poison
• matsukichi
• killer
• confession

Black Lizard herself killed the real Matsukichi. She used poison and clever deception to murder him, then concealed his body in the sofa compartment. She framed the killing to maintain control and eliminate anyone who threatened her operation.

Foreshadowing: The mystery of Matsukichi's disappearance runs through the latter half of the film, with Black Lizard deflecting suspicion throughout.

• matsukichi murder
• black lizard
• killer
• poison

Hina, the housekeeper at Iwase's home, was complicit in the kidnapping plot and attempted to kill Detective Akechi with a poisonous snake to protect Black Lizard's interests. Black Lizard swiftly stopped her by impaling her with a sword.

Foreshadowing: Hina previously conspired with others to kidnap Sanae at the Iwase house, showing her allegiance to Black Lizard.

• hina
• snake attack
• akechi
• betrayal
• housekeeper

Detective Akechi freed Junichi and Yoko, allowing them to escape the island together to pursue a life beyond Black Lizard's control. Their love, which blossomed under dangerous circumstances, gave them a chance at a future together.

Foreshadowing: The two formed a bond while imprisoned on the island, with Junichi choosing love over freedom by agreeing to become a doll.

• junichi
• yoko
• escape
• island
• freedom
• love