Also Known As: 市川 雷蔵, Raizô Ichikawa , Ichikawa Raizō VIII, Райдзо Итикава, Raizo Ichikawa, رایزو ایچیکاوا
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ichikawa Raizō VIII (born 29 August 1931 in Kyoto, Japan, died 17 July 1969 in Tokyo, Japan) was a Japanese film and kabuki actor. Died of rectal cancer. He was born as Yoshiya Ōta in Kyoto on August 29, 1931. Ichikawa Raizō appeared mostly in period dramas (jidaigeki). He is best known for the Sleepy Eyes of Death (Nemuri Kyoshiro) series, Ninja (Shinobi no Mono) series and Nakano Spy School (Rikugun Nakano Gakkō) series (based on the Nakano School). Raizō worked many times with director Kenji Misumi. Their collaborations include The Sword (Ken) (from a book by Yukio Mishima) and Destiny's Son (Kiru). Other great works include An Actor's Revenge (Yukinojo henge). Description above from the Wikipedia article Raizō Ichikawa, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Kyoto, Japan
Birthday: August 29, 1931
Deathday: July 17, 1969
Adult: No
Gender: Male
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Overview: Warlord Oda Nobunaga seeks to unite a fractured Japan. A young man trained in the arts of ninjitsu is manipulated by a ninja master into attempting to assassinate the warlord before he completes his task.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-12-01
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Overview: A naively honorable samurai comes to the bitter realization that his devotion to moral samurai principles makes him an oddity among his peers, and a very vulnerable oddity in consequence. He takes the blame for the misdeeds of others, with the understanding that he will be exiled for one year and restored to the clan's good graces after the political situation dies down. As betrayal begins to heap upon betrayal, he realizes he'll have to live out his life as a master-less ronin, if not hunted down and killed.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-07-02
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Overview: In Edo Japan, a kabuki actor seeks revenge against the three men who drove his parents to their deaths years ago.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-01-13
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Overview: Japan, 1137. The Taira family, a samurai clan, becomes involved in the disputes between Emperor Toba and the monks of Mount Hiei.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-09-21
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Overview: [Period covered: 1582-1594]. As the film opens, the warlod Nobunaga Oda rides to Iga Ayanokuni shrine. He is asked if he thinks he has destroyed all the ninja who opposed him and answers that he suspects that there may be more. A servant brings water and tests it first. The paige dies and we hear gunshots as two ninja flee the scene. His suspicions confirmed, Nobunaga oversees the execution of captured ninja and decides that, in the future, he needs a much crueler method of execution. The daimyo Hideyoshi comes to visit.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-08-06
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Overview: In 221 BC, Qin Shihuangdi conquered the rest of China. Qin's great accomplishments and also his serious faults are showed in this film. Qin adopted autocratic dictatorship and led a luxurious life: abolition of feudalism and the centralization of power in the form of a now-hereditary bureaucracy loyal to himself; burning books and burying scholars; the construction of a sumptuous palace for his concubines and also the Great Wall.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-11-01
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Overview: In Edo-period Japan, Shingo is born the son of an assassin who was executed for murdering her lord’s concubine. Decades later, his adoptive family is massacred for keeping the secret. Armed with an unbeatable swordfighting technique, Shingo embarks on the path of the masterless samurai in search of vengeance and a path beyond his own ignominious origins.
Genres: Action Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-07-01
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Overview: Fascinated with women from an early age, Yonosuke had his first sexual encounter at the age of seven. From that day on, he recklessly and forwardly pursues women, feeding his fascination and experience. As Yonosuke's salacious behavior brings much cause for shame to the family, his father eventually breaks relations with him. Expelled from the family, 19-year-old Yonosuke embarks on a pilgrimage of lust, traveling far and wide to acquaint himself with women of all walks.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-03-21
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Overview: Kokubu, captain of his university's kendo team, is a mystery to those who know him: An ascetic dedicated to a point of obsession with the simplicity and beauty of the sword arts. Kagawa, a promising but arrogant kendo student, is attracted to Kokubu's devout leadership but kept at a distance by his standoffish nature. With the national championships fast approaching, the pair clash as Kokubu drives his students with increasingly rigorous training and Kagawa tests Kokubu's grip on the class.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-03-14
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Overview: Nemuri Kyoshiro, a youthful and cynical ronin with unparalleled skill, is approached by both sides in a game of corruption, ambition, and double crosses. The leader of the Kaga clan, who thinks he has killed his smuggling partner, fears that the shogunate will discover his illegal activities. He learns of evidence that will prove his guilt. Meanwhile, his partner is not dead, and, assisted by a master of Shorenji boxing, is looking for revenge and for his loot. The Kaga leader sends the beautiful Chisa to enlist Nemuri's aid. The unexpected happens: the hard-bitten Nemuri falls in love. Can he protect her, topple the criminals, and avoid the boxer's deadly skill?
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-11-02
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Overview: Wandering samurai Nemuri Kyoshiro (Raizô Ichikawa) finds a bulls-eye on his back after befriending the shogunate's tightfisted financial adviser, Asahina, who's earned the wrath of the shogun's self-indulgent daughter for cutting off her allowance. The enraged princess promptly hatches a scheme to have Asahina bumped off -- along with his protector, Kyoshiro. Shiho Fujimura also stars in this installment of the enormously popular film series.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-01-09
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Overview: A decapitation at the hands of the shogun's monstrous misbegotten son kicks off the action and draws nomadic Nemuri Kyoshiro (Raizô Ichikawa) into more sword-fighting adventures when he's blamed for the beheading. Meanwhile, the head-chopper's mother is busy knocking off the shogun's lawful heirs to secure the shogunate for her son.
Genres: Mystery Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-05-23
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Overview: Two devious retainers are competing to take control of a fief when the current Lord dies, but involving Kyoshiro in the conflict against his will is the textbook example of a bad idea - especially when the collateral damage starts to tick him off.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-01-13
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Overview: A former soldier, reduced to working at a restaurant post-war, becomes a contract killer for the yakuza gangs he's in contact with.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-04-29
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Overview: Hanpei is a gentle young samurai that loves flowers. One day, he witnesses an old man's quick draw of the sword. He is so impressed that he becomes the old man's pupil. Soon, Hanpei's skill of sword comes to attention of his lord. The lord orders him to assassinate a man...
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-10-16
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Overview: Learning of his family's collapse, acolyte Goichi, sent to study silently at the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, must endure acute psychological distress.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-09-22
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Overview: As winds of change sweep Japan, an honest man joins the Shinsengumi out of admiration for its leader, and because he wants to live and die as a samurai. However, as his involvement grows, reality and idealism come into deadly conflict.
Genres: Action Thriller War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-01-03
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Overview: Two amiable samurai wind up on opposite sides of the vendetta between Lord Asano's retainers and the family of Lord Kira that led to the famous revenge of the 47 Ronin.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-11-22
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Overview: Ushimatsu's father told him never to reveal his lower-caste heritage; years later, he now contemplates confiding in an activist fighting against such discrimination.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-04-06
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Overview: A wandering gambler strolls into a village searching for his father's killer, unaware that the village is run by criminals who sell the poorest peasants into slavery.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-08-08
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Overview: Nemuri Kyoshiro discovers a conspiracy centering around a band of disgruntled samurai wanting to avenge the death of their sensei, a political reformer that pushed for better provisions for the lower classes until he was assassinated by Shogunate agents. Their plot, to set fire to the oil refineries of two rich merchants and unleash a raging inferno that will hopefully burn down the Edo Castle.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-11-09
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Overview: The masked daughter of the Shogun wants to kill a samurai who has seen her scarred face. She sends waves of ninja warriors to kill the samurai and plots diabolical schemes / ambushes without much success.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-03-12
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Overview: A fugitive christian "saint" (female, of course!) and a sadistic drug-addled princess both have their eye on Kyoshiro. The fact that a bunch of ruthless smugglers also want him dead is the least of his problems!
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-10-17
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Overview: Fifth film in the series. When Kyoshiro, in a moment of weakness, saves the life of a woman being attacked on the road, he quickly finds himself entangled in a conspiracy involving a corrupt chamberlain, a wily merchant, the survivors of a pirate gang, and a missing treasure trove.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-01-12
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Overview: Sixth film in the series. A little boy who just wants to be a carpenter is at the center of a plot that might topple -- or save -- a mighty Clan, and while the swords of some angry samurai may not cause Kyoshiro much trouble, the deadly wiles of two women may be more difficult to survive!
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-04-30
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Overview: The disturbing story of a physician who conducted the first operation with general anaesthetic, and the women in his life who are both so determined to win his love that they volunteer as subjects for his experiments
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-10-28
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Overview: [Period covered: 1614-1615] Tokugawa Ieyasu is now the ruler of all Japan. But one last loose thread must be tied up before his domination is complete -- the destruction of the Toyotomi clan, now beseiged in Osaka castle. Ieyasu's ninja are the only ones who can penetrate the fortress, but unfortunately for Ieyasu, Kirigakure Saizo and the other Toyotomi ninja can just as easily get out. As armies of samurai maneuver for battle, the fate of the nation will be decided by a desperate struggle in the dark!
Genres: Action Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-07-10
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Overview: [Period covered: 1616] On May 8th, 1615 the summer campaign of Osaka has reached the climax. This film takes place immediately following 'Ninja 4: Mist Saizo, Last of The Ninja'. Staying one step ahead of the Shogun’s forces, “Mist” Saizo tries to save the Sanada Clan, and avenge the death of his lord by assassinating the first Tokugawa Shogun. Following the first four films in this remarkable series, more previously unknown Ninja skills are shown to the world for the first time. The action heats up as Saizo single-handedly attacks the Shogun’s Palace!
Genres: Action Adventure Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-12-30
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Overview: The Son of the Black Mass returns in this ninth installment in Daiei's longstanding Nemuri Kyoshiro series. This time Raizo Ichikawa as Nemuri is called to see that a gold statuette of the Virgin Mary gets safe passage to Kyoto from the prying hands of a sect of murderous Christian ronin that call themselves the Black Finger Group.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-07-15
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Overview: Isazo is a traveling gambler and living legend in the world of yakuza, known for his swordsmanship and bravery, his impeccable manners, and his brilliant talent in gambling. One late fall at an inn in Kiso Fukushima, Isazo befriends a young boy whose mother turns out to be his old love Yoshino, with whom he was not unable to consummate a marriage due to the class differences between them.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-04-19
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Overview: In the mountain regions of Hida, the dreams of a peasant named Kyonosuke, who longed to be a samurai, come true when he becomes one of three doubles, of shadows, of Lord Yasutaka. After months of intense and cruel training, he faces his destiny when the Lord and the other two shadows are killed in battle and he must take on the role of Lord Yasutaka....
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-04-21
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Overview: [Period covered: 1595-1600] We last saw ninja Ishikawa Goemon, as he was about to be boiled alive. But a good ninja is both hard to find, and even harder to kill. With the help of the enigmatic Hattori Hanzo, Goemon lives to skulk another day, and sets his sights on bringing down the warlord who tried to turn him into soup – Toyotomi Hideyoshi. And as always, in the background, the suble hand of Tokugawa Ieyasu is pulling strings as he plots to rule all of Japan!
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-12-28
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Overview: Yoso is truly a lost classic, set in the Nara Era (710-794), from Kinugasa Teinosuke the same writer/director who gave us the recognized classic Gate of Hell (Jigokumon, 1952) & the milestone silent surrealist masterpiece A Page of Madness (Kurutta Ippeji, 1926).
Genres: Drama Fantasy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-10-05
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Overview: A poor peasant, after years of scraping, becomes a rich and powerful Osaka merchant. Mizoguchi Kenji's final project; he died before completing it and directing duties turned over to Yoshimura Kozaburo.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-03-06
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Overview: During the Warring States era of early 17th century Japan, teenage princess Sen is besieged with other members of her family in Osaka Castle, by a rival force led by her grandfather.
Genres: History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1954-10-20
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Overview: Legendary yakuza Shimizu Jirocho and his 28 henchmen travel the unruly path from a 'Fire Festival' in Akiba to a decisive battle by the Fujigawa.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-06-03
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Overview: After a yakuza boss is assassinated by a rival, his naval officer son returns home to take over the gang.
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-03-13
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Overview: The titular "tarantula" is a murderous woman who, along with the brother who is in love with her, kill without warrant because they are wealthy & above the law. Kyoshiro the homeless masterless wandering samurai has nothing to lose, & no scruples anyway, so can reproach even the powerful with ease. He is thus, for all that he has broad streaks of villainy all his own, a champion of the people by default.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-05-01
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Overview: Just when you think Kyoshiro's life can't get any stranger, someone starts running around raping and murdering, and leaving notes proudly proclaiming that he did it. Tracking down the real culprit will take him along a twisted trail that involves the Shogun's harem, hidden Christians, and positively pregnant politics!
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1969-01-11
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Overview: The womanizing master of a run-down dojo hires an unemployed samurai to make himself look good instead of learning the skills himself. He lives to regret this laziness when he falls in love with the daughter of a higher class samurai and is informed on their wedding night that he must defeat her before their marriage can be consummated....
Genres: Action Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-03-01
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Overview: Once upon a time, Okuro (Ayako Wakao), a young female racoon, lived poorly with her drunken father. One day after they disguised themselves as parasols, they were wrongly brought to the Racoon Palace, where the young racoon princess (also Ayako Wakao) made a mess of her arranged marriage with the beautiful racoon prince (Raizô Ichikawa). Pretty princess ran away. In order not to spoil the promising marriage, people tried to make use of resemblances between Okuro and the princess. Before long, Okuro and the Prince fell in love with each other...
Genres: Fantasy Comedy Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-12-27
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Overview: The sequel to Daibosatsu tôge (1960) and the second of the trilogy follows the adventures of Ryunosuke Tsukue after he is blinded.
Genres: Drama Action History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-12-27
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Overview: The Dai-bosatsu toge trilogy is based on Kaizan Nakazato's unfinished long series of novels (41 books, written from 1913 to 1941). Set in the last period of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Daibosatsu Toge tells the story of Ryunosuke Tsukue , a nihilistic swordmaster who doesn't hesitate to kill anyone, bad or good.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-10-18
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Overview: Princess Kiyo accidentally injures a local priest, Anchin, while on a hunt. She apologizes, but feels irritated by Anchin’s indifference to her in spite of her beauty. One night, while Anchin is recuperating in a hot spring, he is approached by Kiyo. She tells him that she is in love with him.
Genres: Drama Fantasy Romance Horror
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-08-09
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Overview: A demon-faced monster seeking revenge appears in the forms of a gigantic ox and a huge spider! The young Genji warrior protects the Fujiwara Clan and the beautiful lady in tragic love! A grand visual epic told with mesmerizing extravagance!
Genres: Horror Fantasy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-04-27
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Overview: One of Japan's most popular stories is the tale of Kutsukake Tokijiro, a traveling gambler who finds that he must take care of the wife and child of a yakuza he had been forced by the code of the gamblers to fight man to man. In a brilliant performance from super-star Ichikawa Raizo, with strong support from two of the greats from Toho, Shimura Takashi (7 Samurai) and Aratama Michiyo (Sword of Doom) the heartfelt story reaches new heights. Tokijiro, having learned the true nature of the boss to whom he was obligated for having spent a night and eaten at the gang's headquarters takes up arms against them in a running battle fought across the back roads of the entire nation. Another powerful rendition of this superb story, it is not to be missed!
Genres: History Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-06-14
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Overview: Disguised as a beggar monk, Ryunosuke is harassed along the road by the rowdy members of a country dojo or fencing school malingering outside their fencing hall. The third film in the Satan's Sword trilogy.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-05-17
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Overview: One of Japanese folklore's most popular characters is brought to life on the silver screen in this terrific version of legendary Demon slaying Peach Boy.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-12-15
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Overview: Raizô Ichikawa reprises his role as the restaurant-cook-turned-contract-killer in this sequel to Kazuo Mori's stylish 1967 thriller A Certain Killer.
Genres: Thriller Crime
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-12-02
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Overview: It is brother against brother in this tale of love and betrayal within the famed Yagyu clan. In one of their earliest films together, superstars Ichikawa Raizo and Katsu Shintaro are magnificent as the two finest young swordsmen in the clan. As they vie for the hand of a beautiful woman their loyalty comes into question during an attack on their lord. When one of them masters the secret technique taught to him by Miyamoto Musashi, it leads to bloody violence that can tear the clan apart! Filled with superb swordplay this rare classic is not to be missed!
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-02-26
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Overview: An Indian prince leaves his world of comfort and riches behind to wander and meditate for six years in search of spiritual enlightenment. Siddartha (Cojoin Hong) turns his back on the old religion when people are starving needlessly and holy rituals include human sacrifices. During his meditations, he is tempted by erotic dancing women, demons, and the evil machinations of his criminal cousin. Devastate to attain the spiritual perfection and become the Buddha. He travels to convert followers by his kindness and wisdom, gaining a multitude of believers when he stops an elephant from crushing a local priest. Buddha of course goes on to become one of the great religious leaders of the world.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-10-31
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Overview: Based on the popular story of the tragic lovers, Onatsu and Seijuro.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1954-11-01
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Overview: From the pen of Yoshikawa Eiji comes this exciting story. The Naruto Strait separates Tokushima from the islands of Awaji and Honshu. On Tokushima the mad lord dreams of conquest and forges a bloody revolt against the Tokugawa shogunate. A mysterious swordsman named Noriyuki Gennojo has crossed Naruto’s waters to uncover the Awa clan’s secrets. He puts his life on the line after finding a testament of Awa’s secrets, written in blood by a dying man. Joining Noriyuki are a female ninja who loves him, and the beautiful daughter of an enemy who’s sworn to kill him. Awa’s defenders willl stop at nothing to prevent the blood-soaked letter from reaching the shogun.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-09-29
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Overview: The Fencing Master tells the story of a man trying to survive as the only world he knows is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Danpei Ichikawa lives for swordfighting – he was once a renowned kabuki swordfight choreographer, and as the Chairman of the New National Theatre Company, he wants nothing more than to choreograph the swordfights for the modern plays put on by the company.
Genres: Drama Action Adventure
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-09-30
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Overview: During the 1200's, legendary Buddhist monk Nichiren returns from his studies to lead Japan out of moral crisis and prepare to fight Mongol invaders by creating a new form of Buddhism. He runs afoul of the existing Buddhist sects and their government supporters and is persecuted. Can Nichiren persevere before the Mongol fleet reaches Japanese shores?
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-10-01
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Overview: Ronin samurai Ibuki-san enters a town and sells his skills to the warring families. He falls in love with the beautiful horse stable owner but like all heroes, cannot stay.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-02-20
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Overview: Japan, 1701. A group of samurai become rônin after their lord is forced to commit seppuku for assaulting a court official, who will become the target of a merciless revenge.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-04-01
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Overview: Kikuji is the scion of an Osaka merchant family whose traditional power is matrilineal. Instructed by his overbearing mother and grandmother to give them an heiress for the family business, he stands by helplessly as his wife is thrown out of the house for producing a son. Driven to a life of dissipation - his mistresses also fail to produce daughters - in the end he is just too tired to care.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-04-14
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Overview: The exciting story of Jirocho and his yakuza gang that controlled the area of the Tokaido during the latter days of the samurai era. Awesome fighting from Katsu Shintaro as One-Eyed Ishimatsu highlights this great tale taken from Japanese history!
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-06-01
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Overview: The film won 1959 Blue Ribbon Awards for best actor Raizo Ichikawa and for best cinematography Kazuo Miyagawa. The film also won 1959 Kinema Junpo Award for best actor Raizo Ichikawa.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-11-29
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Overview: Daiei Film Company's three biggest stars shine in this exciting story about Vice-Shogun Mito Komon's journey to the land of the Ainu. As the shogun's uncle, Lord Mito traveled about the nation seeking to make sure that corruption and injustice did not go unpunished. Traveling together with his two faithful bodyguards Kaku and Suke, they board ship for a voyage to the far northern island of Ezo (modern day Hokkaido) where the indigenous people called "Ainu" live. Somewhat like American Indians, the Ainu had their own culture which had not been subjugated by the Matsumae clan, rulers of the vast island. A revolt is brewing within the leadership of the Ainu, which threatens to destroy their peaceful lives. The elder lord and his retinue are the only ones who can stop this reign of terror!
Genres: Action Adventure Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-07-12
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Overview: During the bloody era of the Tokugawa Shogunate collapse, a man appeared capable of overthrowing a corrupt government and ending the feud between the Choshu and Satsuma clans. This is the story of Tsukigat Khanpayit, the sword maker of the Choshu clan, who, along with Katsuro Kogoro and Sakamoto Ryoma, sought to fulfill the dream of a new peaceful era in Japan. Can he realize his ideals or will he die in the chaos of internecine fights...
Genres: Action Romance History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-10-16
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Overview: A Girl isn't Allowed to Love is a 1955 Japanese film directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-04-23
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Overview: [Period covered: 1637-1651] This is one of the most complicated plots of any of the Shinobi no Mono films! This film tells the story of Saizo’s son, Kirigakure Saisuke, who after seeing his father die at the Battle Of Shimabara, grows up to be an expert ninja. Before he dies, “Mist” Saizo tells his children Saisuke, and Yuri that they are not really brother and sister. She, in fact, is the daughter of the late lord Sanada Yukimura, and must be saved from the shogun’s forces. In the chess match of spy versus spy, can Saisuke defeat the shogun’s chief strategist, Matsudaira Izunokami at his own game? Showing many exciting ninja tactics, it is not to be missed.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-06-12
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Overview: [Period Covered: 1570-1573] Towards the end of the Tenmon Era, Shogun Ashikaga`s powers were weakening by the day and many were there who planned to overthrow him. It was the beginning of the Sengoku (Warring States) period. Three men attack a gunpowder maker in a farmhouse, the first chopping off his arm with his sickle-&-chain weapon, the second blinding him with sword, the third giving the killing blow. His son Kojiro Kosume escapes the attackers as everything he has known up to then explodes into conflagration. He grows up & enters the start of the Tokugawa Era, intent on avenging his father.
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-12-10
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Overview: The Great White Tiger Platoon was part of the Aizu clan's last ditch efforts to stop the advance of Imperial troops after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Meant to be a reserve unit as it was made of the young, 16-17 year old sons of Aizu samurai. Their story is one of the great tragedies of the Boshin War (1868-1869) as they were called into action. Getting cut off from the main body of their platoon, a group of 20 from the 2nd squad retreated to Iimori Hill, where they looked down upon fires surrounding Aizu Castle and thinking that the castle has fallen and all is lost, they choose to die as samurai by committing seppuku. A superb rendition of this true story that shows the true honor of the samurai.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1954-08-25
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Overview: During the reign of Shogun Hidetada, both Hirate Musashi and Okamoto Musashi strive to become the finest swordsman in the land by defeating the Yagyu clan's top instructors and then taking on Sasaki Kojiro!
Genres: Drama Action Adventure
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-01-03
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Overview: [Period covered: 1616] Kirigakure Saizo returns for the final time as he sets out to assassinate Tokugawa Ieyasu in order to avenge the death of Lord Sanada Yukimura. But first he must contend with Ieyasu’s own ninja group led by the powerful Fuma Daijuro, who has a score to settle with the men of Iga that dates back 280 years to the war between the Genji and the Heike at the Battle of Dan-no-Ura. Tremendous fighting and great plot twists highlight this exceptional look into the lives of the mysterious ninja of Japan.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-02-12
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Overview: Historical and political detective. The main characters are drawn into court intrigues, and the investigation of corruption in the administration of the shogun Ienari Tokugawa comes to the fore in the plot. Based on the novel of the same name by Matsumoto Seicho.
Genres: Mystery History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-09-27
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Overview: Nakano Institution is the so-called ‘Spy School’ where many young men are trained to be excellent spies. They erase their names, families, even lovers to bury themselves in training. Jiro, one of the cadets, successfully seize the secret code of English army to pass the final exam. However, he reaches the crossroad when his fiancee Yukiko turns out to be a spy of the enemy.
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-06-04
Popularity:
Overview: The last film in the series brings the tale to the doorstep of Pacific War, with the planning of the bombing of Pearl Harbor dominant in Nakano Spy School.
Genres: Action War Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1968-03-09
Popularity:
Overview: In late 1940 the Japanese were anxious to conclude peace in China and to that end sent Colonel Hidaka to inaugurate negotiations. He was mysteriously assassinated, however, when his car was blown up. The General Staff Headquarters in Japan, sends Lieutenant Shiina, a graduate of the famed Nakano School of Spies inaugurated by Colonel Kusanagi, to investigate the matter. Arriving in Shanghai, he disguises himself as a Chinese coolie and sets out to watch for developments, the only clue being a silver dollar found beside what was left of the victim.
Genres: Action War Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-01-03
Popularity:
Overview: A sequel to the popular "The School of Spies", this film continues the adventures of one of the graduates who is assigned to crack a powerful spy ring working out of Kobe. Various people are suspected but, finally, it seems that an Army captain and his geisha friend might lead them to the ring.
Genres: Action War Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-09-17
Popularity:
Overview: In the fourth film of series, Secret Assignment, Raizo again plays the Jiro Shiina. This time he's out to discover who is spying for the British in the Foreign Ministry, under the code name “Cat's Eye”.
Genres: Action War Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-06-17
Popularity:
Overview: When a corrupt magistrate rapes Oshima, Masa (Raizō Ichikawa) avenges her by killing the officer, becoming thereby a fugitive, haunted and grief-stricken by the fact that Oshima committed suicide. Going underground in the gambling world, perpetually hiding from the law, Masa eventually meets a young woman named Onaka, who looks exactly like Oshima. Tales having two look-alike heroines are a commonplace in Japanese period films, a plot affectation inherited from the kabuki theater. Based on a novel by Shin Hasegawa, Nakayama shichiri was already twice filmed in 1930, one version directed by Namio Ochiai, and from which less than 40 minutes survive, the other directed by Kyotaro Namiki. Both are silent films, preserved by the Makino film institute.
Genres: Action History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-05-27
Popularity:
Overview: Ichikawa Raizo’s last film. He plays a Yakuza enforcer who kills a man on his boss's orders. He’s then sent to a provincial town to lie low, only to be caught in another war orchestrated by his original boss who has set him up.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1969-02-22
Popularity:
Overview: The further adventures of Takeshi Nanjo, the Young Boss.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-08-14
Popularity:
Overview: A story of aristocratic star-crossed love.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-03-19
Popularity:
Overview: Early film directed by Kenji Misumi.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-12-28
Popularity:
Overview: Early film by Kenji Misumi.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-06-08
Popularity:
Overview: Early film directed by Kenji Misumi.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-03-28
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-05-20
Popularity:
Overview: The shogun's vassal Harima Aoyama and a chamber maid are in love with each other, but they cannot be together due to a difference of their status. Soon, an offer of marriage is brought to Harima. Trying to test his love, Okiku breaks one of the plates of the family treasure of the Aoyama family, but Harima doesn't notice. However, someone surrounding her witnesses the moment Okiku breaks the plate on purpose.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-05-29
Popularity:
Overview: Hikaru Genji, the haunted romantic hero of Lady Murasaki Shikibu’s “Genji Monogatari” (Tale of Genji) comes to life in this new tale of his further romantic adventures. Young Genji, the emperor’s illegitimate son cuts a swath through the women of the imperial court, while still mourning the spirit of his late mother who died while he was still a child. Driven to an obsession with the emperor’s new concubine, Lady Fujitsubo, whose resemblance to his late mother originally caught the eye of the emperor, young Genji embarks upon a reckless affair with her that could cost him his life.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-10-14
Popularity:
Overview: Adaptation of a famous Kyouka Izumi novel. Set in the early 1900's, it tells the story of the impossible love between a young scholar a beautiful geisha.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-02-21
Popularity:
Overview: A musical about the escapades of some tanuki passing themselves off as humans in human society.
Genres: Comedy Adventure Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-01-03
Popularity:
Overview: Floating Vessel (源氏物語 浮舟 , Ukifune) is a 1957 color Japanese film directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa. Drawn from parts of the famous Genji monogatari by Lady Murasaki.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-04-29
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-09-21
Popularity:
Overview: A studio introduction version for Daiei Stars.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-01-15
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-11-09
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-08-06
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-06-04
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1957-07-02
Popularity:
Overview: An entertaining historical drama featuring popular comedians from the Kansai region of the time, such as Makoto Fujita, Minoru Shiraki, and Gannosuke Ashiya. Raizo Ichikawa as the famous yakuza boss Jirocho.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-06-30
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Adventure
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-02-05
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-07-29
Popularity:
Overview: Tired of everyday life, the 8th Shogun Yoshimune flees Edo Castle and asks Ooka Echizen to become his personal assistant. In a rice shop, Yoshimune meets a simple ronin Ohashi Kenshiro, and receives permission to stay at his house, but a mysterious corpse awaits him in the house... And then the second, third and fourth murders occur...
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-04-18
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-08-12
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-09-16
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-06-10
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-04-16
Popularity:
Overview: A beautiful girl who seeks revenge, disguises herself by dressing up in men's clothes, geisha, etc. A young swordsman helps her uncover the plot and take revenge.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-08-03
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-01-09
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-01-15
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-04-29
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-11-14
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-07-13
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Crime
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-01-01
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-05-03
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-11-27
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Crime
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1966-09-03
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Horror
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1954-09-29
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1954-12-22
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-12-07
Popularity:
Overview: The film is set in Kyoto at the end of the Tokugawa period, when there is a fierce clash between the supporters of the Emperor, who are fighting for the overthrow of the Shogunate, and the Shinsengumi squad, who are chasing them. Suddenly, a mysterious masked warrior appears, on a white horse he is called Tengu from Mount Kurama and he opposes the Shinsengumi.
Genres: Action Adventure
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-09-18
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-11-01
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-01-29
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-03-25
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-11-08
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-12-21
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1958-11-15
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-12-08
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-07-12
Popularity:
Overview: Fate begins to smile upon young Chonosuke Tokugawa, son of eleventh Tokugawa Shogun, after some twenty years of life as a dependent at his step-brother's castle, when the ruler of the Takatori Clan suddenly dies leaving no heir and despite the protest from Minister Horio, it is decided that young Chonosuke is to succeed as ruler of the clan. Horio determines to murder Chonosuke on his way to Edo so that his own grandchild may rule the Takatori Clan. "Odd" Han, a travelling gambler happens to stop at the inn where Chonosuke's party is staying in secret. The assassins come to attack Chonosuke on the riverbank where he is viewing the fireworks alone but are driven off by Han. Now Chonosuke travels with Han disguised as a gambler during which he begins to learn the hardships of the peasants and is struck with the contrast between the life of a feudal and those whose labour provides his luxurious living.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-08-01
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-02-25
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-04-21
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-03-17
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-05-01
Popularity:
Overview: Rikitaro and Osayo are popular entertainers who throw knives. They are sweethearts. At one day They help Ocho, who is a beautiful pickpocket when she is attacked by Ronin. in Asakusa, However, they come to be surrounded by doubtful Ronin after that. Moreover, Rikitaro is called to stop by Kajima of Edo-Karo of Nihonmatsu-Han. He calls him a young lord and treats Rikitaro as one, because his young lord, Tetsunojo is missing. Kuni-Garo makes a plan to carry out. Kikumaru, the younger brother of the mother difference in him instead of Tetsunojo, Since Rikitaro is just like Tetsunojo, then, they are convinced that it is Tetsunojo of Rikitaro. Rikitaro and Osayo decide to help Kajima and Tetsunojo. Finally they success to crush Kikumarsu's group.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-09-06
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-04-19
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1955-06-26
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-01-03
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-08-22
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-07-25
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Romance
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-01-09
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-12-12
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-08-14
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-05-25
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1956-11-07
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-01-14
Popularity:
Overview: The title of the film reflects the custom of writing poems and lyrics on paper lanterns. The film tells about the difficult relationship between the actors of the Japanese classical theater No, friendship, hatred and love…
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-05-18
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-01-03
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-02-17
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-04-06
Popularity:
Overview: The film depicts the scarring of Yosaburo at the hands of yakuza thugs who catch him with mistress of the gang boss. Despite the physical and emotional scars he now carries with him, Yosaburo falls for a young noblewoman. The rest of the film follows the two as they fend off attacks from gangs and the police.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-07-10
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-11-22
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-12-07
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Action Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-11-19
Popularity:
Overview: Kayama Ichinoshin (Raizo Ichikawa) has been traveling for ten years in search of revenge for his father. One day, Ichinoshin reunites with his younger brother Shinjiro (Yukio Hashi), who has completely changed. Shinjiro abandoned the quiet samurai life and began to lead a Yakuza lifestyle. The older brother is angry at the younger one for his depravity, and the younger one laughs at him for being tied to old-fashioned traditions. As a result, they quarrel. Ichinoshin hears that the person he has to take revenge on has become a Yakuza, and in order to get a hint, he takes care of the Otsu family, to which Shinjiro owes, but later discovers that the boss of Otsu Kanemon is the one he is looking for.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-12-27
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-08-27
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-02-08
Popularity:
Overview: Sentaro (Raizo Ichikawa) from Ipponmatsu sets out to commit evil and gain dignity, but his good-natured nature does not allow him to do anything bad. Along the way, Sentaro saves a young woman named Okimi (Yuko Miki) from a bad womanizer and meets a Yakuza named Katsugoro (Yoshie Mizutani). He then visits Katsugoro boss Kanjiro Inariyama (Ganjiro Nakamura II) to train to be a yakuza, but to his surprise discovers that Katsugoro is Kanjiro's only daughter, Okatsu. He also finds out that the young yakuza working in Kanjiro's house is his younger brother Hanji (Yukio Hashi). Then the Shigezo family, who had been annoying Kanjiro for a long time, set fire to his gambling hall!
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-07-19
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-02-11
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-05-12
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-12-15
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Crime Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-08-12
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-01-03
Popularity:
Overview:
Genres: Action Crime
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1967-12-30
Popularity: