3 Dragons sets world premieres for 4K restorations of two Gakuryu Ishii films at Japan Cuts 2026

3 Dragons Ltd. will unveil the first-ever restored versions of Gakuryu Ishii’s Shuffle and Master of Shiatsu at Japan Society New York on July 11, 2026, launching its restoration program. The double bill at JAPAN CUTS 2026 marks the public premiere of two landmark works of Japanese underground cinema in 4K.

Why it matters: - The screenings mark the first restored presentations of Shuffle and Master of Shiatsu in any format. - The double bill gives two early Ishii films a public launch in 4K after decades without restored exhibition. - The event introduces 3 Dragons Ltd.’s restoration program to audiences at JAPAN CUTS 2026.

What happened: - 3 Dragons Ltd. announced world premiere screenings of newly completed 4K restorations of Gakuryu Ishii’s Shuffle and Master of Shiatsu. - Both films will screen as a double bill at JAPAN CUTS 2026, presented by Japan Society New York, on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM. - Japan Society New York will host the public premiere in New York.

The details: - Shuffle, released in 1981 and running 32 minutes, adapts Run, a short manga by Katsuhiro Otomo. - Ishii began filming Shuffle before seeking Otomo’s permission. - Shuffle follows a relentless chase through Tokyo and helped shape the Japanese cyberpunk movement. - Norimichi Kasamatsu served as cinematographer on Shuffle and supervised the restoration. - Master of Shiatsu, released in 1989 and running 13 minutes, stars Tokujiro Namikoshi, founder of modern shiatsu. - Master of Shiatsu explores touch, transformation and the cosmos. - The film is now recognized as the seed of Ishii’s Spiritual Form Cinema. - Master of Shiatsu foreshadows August in the Water and Labyrinth of Dreams. - Noboru Shinoda was the cinematographer on Master of Shiatsu. - qooop, Inc., a Tokyo-based digital restoration facility, completed both restorations in 4K from the original 35mm negatives. - Both restorations were delivered as full DCP masters. - Yanasa Creative Group funded the restorations, and 3 Dragons Ltd. produced them.

Between the lines: - The pairing frames Ishii’s work as a shift from punk aggression to inward, spiritual inquiry. - 3 Dragons is positioning the project as more than archival work, with the company naming this broader arc Spiritual Form Cinema. - Ishii describes filmmaking and theater as ways to explore the mind and body and to confront hidden emotional turmoil. - 3 Dragons co-founder Sebastian Galasso said the films create an experience that moves beyond dream logic and toward inner space and self-reflection.

What’s next: - The Japan Society New York screening will serve as the first public launch of 3 Dragons’ restoration program. - The restorations will enter circulation as part of a new preservation push around Ishii’s catalog. - 3 Dragons has signaled that Spiritual Form Cinema will guide the next phase of its work around Ishii’s films.

The bottom line: - Two obscure but influential Ishii shorts are getting their first restored life, and JAPAN CUTS 2026 is where that reboot begins.