Although released in 1969, director Masahiro Shinoda choose to shoot this film in the standard academy (1.33:1) format instead of the spherical or anamorphic widescreen formats that most features were using by that time.
The story is based on an 18th century puppet play by Monzaemon Chikamatsu. Shinoda acknowledges the origins by having the opening credits appear over preparations for a Benraku performance.
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #104.