I'm not really a Kurosawa freak but I've seen almost all of Kurosawas films and although most of them are depressing, there is always a redemption of the human spirit that makes them tolerable notably "Rashomon". Of course, no one can deny that every Kurosawa shot is a great artistic canvass. The only film of his that for me was difficult to swallow was "Do-des-kaden", his first color feature. The film is overwhelmingly depressing, cynical and highly disturbing but not to the effect that Tarkovky's films like "Stalker" & "Andrei Rublev" made me ponder, relish and digest its message.  I can always enumerate the merits of the film's artistry and thus enjoy it on a different level but substance weighs a great deal for me. I wonder how others perceive this film?