Kuroneko (1968)

Yone and her daughter-in-law Shige are living peacefully in a bamboo grove when their lives are abruptly shattered. A troop of samurai assaults them brutally, resulting in their deaths and leaving their home in ruins.

In the aftermath of the tragic event, a black cat appears at the scene, eerily licking the lifeless bodies of Yone and Shige. This enigmatic cat becomes a symbol of the haunting that will follow.

Yone and Shige, now ethereal specters, wait at Rajōmon, their spirits eager for revenge against their murderers. Their appearance is elegant yet filled with a yearning for vengeance against the samurai.

The specters track down the samurai responsible for their deaths and lure them into an illusory mansion situated in the bamboo grove. Here, they set a deadly trap that leads to the samurai's demise.

In a lethal act of vengeance, Yone and Shige seduce the samurai and ruthlessly kill them, showcasing their ferocity. Their actions mirror that of cats hunting, driven by the urge to reclaim their lost lives.

Meanwhile, in northern Japan, a fierce battle unfolds where a young warrior named Hachi slays the enemy general, Kumasunehiko. Presenting the general's severed head to Governor Minamoto no Raikō, he earns the title of samurai.

Upon returning home, Gintoki discovers that his house has been devastated by fire and his mother and wife are missing. Gone in the chaos of conflict, he is left to grapple with the tragic loss.

Governor Raikō instructs Gintoki to eliminate the ghostly threats terrorizing the samurai. Driven by his duty, Gintoki embarks on a quest to confront the vengeful spirits of Yone and Shige.

Gintoki ultimately confronts Yone and Shige, realizing they are his mother and wife. Bound by their pact, they must kill Gintoki due to his status as a samurai, setting the stage for a tragic resolution.

In a surprising turn, Shige defies the pact with the underworld and chooses to spend seven nights with Gintoki. This act of love leads to her condemnation to the underworld, fortifying the tragic cycle.

Gintoki reports back to Raikō, misleading him by claiming he has vanquished one of the ghosts. His internal struggles deepen as he confronts his ghostly mother, leading to a fatal encounter at Rajōmon.

In a desperate action, Gintoki strikes Yone while recognizing her corrupted spirit in a pool of water. He takes her severed arm, which grotesquely resembles a feline appendage, as a trophy for Raikō.

Encouraged by Raikō’s praises, Gintoki embarks on a seven-day purification ritual to solidify his path as a samurai. However, the spirits continue to haunt him, complicating his journey.

During his purification, Yone disguises herself as a seer, cunningly deceiving Gintoki into giving away the severed arm. She then escapes into the night, leaving Gintoki in a state of despair.

Gintoki wanders through the forest back to his family's ruined cottage, where all remnants of his past linger. Overwhelmed by grief, he collapses amidst the ashes of his former home, as the haunting meow of the cat echoes around him.