The original full title, Yabu no Naka no Kuroneko, translates to "A Black Cat in a Bamboo Grove." The first three words can also refer to a mystery -- and/or a short story that became the basis of the classic Rashōmon. Given that the same bridge plays a significant role in the setting, it's probably no coincidence.
Beyond that, I failed to unearth much in the way of enlightening trivia, but apparently there's some tradition involving a strong spiritual connection between cats and owners. Kuroneko begins with a young woman and her mother-in-law home alone while their husband/son is off at a long war. A troop of samurai gang-rapes and kills them, burning the rural house to the ground. Their cat inspects the bodies and somehow fuses with their spirits to help exact vengeance -- somewhat like The Crow, but even more intimate and magical. Their MO is to lure individual samurai (whether known offenders or not) from the bridge to an illusory estate, seduce them, and kill them a la feline vampires. Little did they know that their husband/son would become a samurai and be assigned to annihilate whatever's killing the samurai....
This is about as artistic as horror cinema gets. It's in black and white, probably not for budgetary reasons. There is no dialog for the first ten minutes. The effects, though few, still work pretty effectively today. And while the exact details of the cat-ghost fusion are not spelled out, they are, ironically, colorful.
Speaking of irony, you can guess how the three main characters feel when they reunite. The samurai, bearing the battle name Gintoku, is not the only one with divided loyalties: The ghosts swore oaths to some nasty (or perhaps neutral) gods in exchange for powers. You may think that the exploration of their feelings, especially how they are never fully enemies, cuts into the horror value. Things get downright steamy between Gintoku and his still physically palpable wife (nudity alert). Ultimately, you may find it more tragic than scary.
But I don't mind at all. Few movies can pull off a nearly nonstop fright factor, so I'm content with a variation in mood and with success on other counts. The women are still quite intimidating when they exercise their magic. Even just a reflection with cat ears understandably sets Gintoku's teeth on edge.
Some call Kuroneko feminist, at least for the time. I see it more as anti-samurai, in the same vein as Hara-Kiri. Sure, we don't know that most of the victims had done anything wrong besides follow a woman to bed too readily, but Gintoku's boss is painted in an almost cartoonish light. Even Gintoku isn't very honorable, having exaggerated his valor to gain a title.
Whatever you make of Kuroneko, it is certainly impressive. Watch it when you're in the mood for something dark. And have no kids around.
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