Hanzō Kataoka
Also Known As: 片岡半蔵
Biography: Biography not available
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Not available
Adult: No
Birthday: Not available
Age: Not available
Gender: Male
Popularity:
Known For:
Yakuza of Seki
Overview: A young yakuza, Yatappe, wanders around the country in search of his long-lost little sister, Oito. While traveling, he rescues a young girl, Osayo, whose father entrusts her to him with his dying wish. To honor his promise to Osayo's deceased father, Yatappe brings her to safety, and from a distance keeps a watchful eye on her well being.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-11-20
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Scarier than the Devil
Overview: A stage director who directs a “Mori no Ishimatsu” play time travels and becomes “Mori no Ishimatsu” himself.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-11-22
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Three Yakuza
Overview: A tale of three Yakuza gamblers who traveled Japan during the samurai era living by their wits and sword skills. Told in 3 separate vignettes, each part tells the story of a different drifter’s life. Part 1: A man is on the run after killing two Hasshu Officials to avenge his Boss. He must make a life or death decision as he is asked to protect a gang from attack. Part 2: A pair of gamblers chased out of a crooked game must fight not only their pursuers, but the ghosts of their pasts as well. Part 3: A wanderer who wants to live according to the Yakuza Code, but is not sure that he can do so when asked to save a town from an evil official.
Genres: Action Adventure
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-05-22
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Travels of Hibari and Chiemi
Overview: Playhouse employees Okimi and Otoshi become involved in an undercover officer’s investigation of a gang when they accidentally walk in on a drug deal taking place at their theater.
Genres: Adventure Comedy Music
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-01-03
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The Kingdom of Jirocho 1
Overview: The tale of real-life Yakuza boss Shimizu Jirocho is told from his earliest beginnings as a gambler on the road as he forms his gang and sets out on the path to fame and fortune. One of the smartest and strongest of all the gang bosses, he went on to survive the end of the samurai era and become a successful businessman. But first, he must survive against all odds in order to build his reputation and develop his strength. Powerful portrayals of the group are led by the great Tsuruta Koji with help from the likes of Matsukata Hiroki.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-10-19
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Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of Two Sword Style
Overview: In the third installment of Yoshikawa's novel Musashi, things continue from the 2nd film at the end of battle, where Miyamoto continues on a mission of learning; with the introduction of his arch-rival Sasaki Kojiro; and lastly the large cast of characters rendezvouses for a fateful finale.
Genres: Action Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-08-14
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Yagyu Chronicles 1: Secret Scrolls
Overview: Two groups are after the legendary Yagyu Secret Scrolls. A princess of a disgraced clan and her loyal servant want it to clear their family's name. And a rival clan wants it to destroy the Yagyu family. Only master swordsman, Yagyu Jubei stands in their way. What is the secret that is hidden away in the scrolls?
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-03-01
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The Conspirator
Overview: Young lord Saburo Nobuyasu struggles to find comfort in life. His arranged marriage to Tokuhime, daughter of one-time family enemy Oda Nobunaga, provides little happiness. His manipulative mother adds further complications through her constant interference and attempts at defeating the Nobunaga family.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-11-08
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The Ghost of Yotsuya
Overview: In one of Japan's most frequently-told ghost stories, a murdered wife returns in an act of vengeance.
Genres: Drama Horror
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-07-01
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Revenge
Overview: An innocuous comment during a weapon inspection wounds the pride of low-ranking samurai Shinpachi, leading to an argument with his superior. The situation snowballs out of control, leading to a deadly duel and political fallout which threatens the entire clan. Declared mentally unstable by the corrupt authority, Shinpachi begins his descent into true insanity…
Genres: Drama Thriller Action
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-11-01
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Sasuke and His Comedians
Overview: Osaka in the early 1600s, aftermath of the historical Battle of Sekigahara; a group of orphan children are wandering through the battlefield scavenging for armour when they encounter a young boy named Sasuke with magical powers he says came from a meteor that crashed onto the Earth…
Genres: Fantasy Action Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1963-12-11
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Warrior of the Wind
Overview: A suspenseful Ninja fantasy based on Shiba Ryotaro's novel, woven with the mysterious fate and romance of Shinzo and a beautiful Princess who find themselves at the center of an intrigue surrounding the legendary land of Yasurai in the mountains of Kumano. Hidden gold, the love of a beautiful Princess, and the approaching evil sword all contribute in bringing you a Ninja action thriller that only the legendary actor Okawa Hashizo and the genius director Kato Tai could produce!
Genres: History Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-01-15
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Miyamoto Musashi
Overview: In this first episode, we are introduced to Takezo, what Musashi used to be before he became the man of legend. His beginning are not exactly auspicious. He sides with the Toyotomi at Sekigahara, and as a result finds himself on the losing side of the historic battle. He and his friend Matahachi manage to escape the slaughter although the latter is wounded in his leg. They stumble across the young Akemi who makes her living with her mother Oko by robbing corpses of their armor and anything else they can sell. Oko takes it into her head to seduce Matahachi, which she does first by skillfully sucking the gangrene from his blood, and then just by sucking.
Genres: History Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-05-27
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Miyamoto Musashi: Showdown at Hannyazaka Heights
Overview: The remake of Yoshikawa's novel continues with the second installment in which Takezo, soon to be Miyamoto Musashi, emerges from the Himeji Castle after three years of intense contemplation and philosophical study and starting on his epic quest to complete his skill in the Way.
Genres: Action Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-11-17
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Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijo Temple
Overview: In the fourth installment, Musashi's potentially greatest opponent Kojiro jumps in and out of the story at the oddest and most coincidental moments. As his great love Otsu has succumbed to madness. Musashi then sets off to beat the functionaries of a treacherous clan in an arranged duel. 73 against one. Boastful Kojiro watches, secure in the knowledge that only he is a worthy opponent.
Genres: Action Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1964-01-01
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Miyamoto Musashi V: Musashi vs Kojiro
Overview: The fifth and final installment with the build up of the epic battle between Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi. With all the familiar characters making appearances: Otsu (Musashi's great love), Akemi, Matahachi (his former fellow soldier), old lady Osugi (still doggedly trying to defeat Musashi), and even the return of Priest Takuan (the man responsible for his journey towards enlightenment). But most of all, the boastful, long-haired and long-sworded Sasaki Kojiro.
Genres: Action Drama History
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-09-04
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Gambler and the Princess
Overview: Film directed by Kenji Misumi.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1959-01-28
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A Revengeful Raid
Overview: In this tale of bravery and honor among the roving gamblers of old Japan, the heroic Jirocho, Boss of the Tokaido is called upon to help a young yakuza named Eijiro after he runs afoul of the new samurai officials who have taken over his hometown. Expertly portrayed by Kitaoji Kinya (son of the all-time great star Ichikawa Utaemon), this young man stands up for the townspeople and puts his life on the line. Jirocho, played by superstar Nakamura Kinnosuke, a boss known for his honor and valor soon finds himself involved in the feud which will only end in a brutal showdown.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-09-22
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Sword of Destiny
Overview: When master swordsman Mikogami Genshiro of the Ono fencing school returns to find that his ailing sensei has been murdered in the dead of night, he must find the culprit and exact revenge. His return sets off a series of violent incidents and incites a high ranked female skilled in sword to test his mettle after he unwittingly offends her. The ever delightful Misora Hibari co-stars with the great Tsuruta Koji in this exciting tale set in the earliest days of the Tokugawa shogunate. Lots of exciting swordfights highlight this entertaining motion picture!
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1960-12-11
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Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu
Overview: In turbulent 16th-century Japan, the leaders of a minor fief have their child taken from them as a political hostage. His mother and his clan endure years of tribulations until he can return.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1965-01-03
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Good Rascals
Overview: A group of men living a low life in Edo help each other to make the best out of their lives.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1962-01-14
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Golden Peacock Castle, Part 1
Overview: A group of pirates led by the evil Gondaiyu and his wizard, Genkuro, capture the Golden Peacock Castle and massacre the peaceful clan that lives there. The few survivors that manage to escape plot their revenge and wait for the right timing for an attack. The struggles of the Golden Peacock Clan continue as they seek to reclaim their home and prevent the evil Gondaiyu from taking their most prized treasures.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-03-28
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Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia
Overview: Escaping the hustle and bustle of Edo, the Young Lord came to Oshima Island in Izu to take a vacation. Unexpectedly, the island's boss, Amimoto, was brutally murdered with a harpoon. As usual, the Young Lord sets out to solve the case. However, most of the islanders have a grudge against Amimoto, and there are so many suspects that he is at his wits' end this time. Set against the beautiful sea of Izu and the majestic Mt. Mihara, the Young Lord's brilliant deductions and his secret sword Ichimonjo-Kakureshi cut through the mystery!
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: ja
Release Date: 1961-09-23
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