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Kazuo Ikehiro

Director

Kazuo Ikehiro

Born October 25, 1929 in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan53 films

Kazuo Ikehiro got his start as an assistant working for directors like Kenji Mizoguchi and Kon Ichikawa. He always had a strong preference for working in jidai-geki and says that he only did a number of modern-day yakuza films because of studio demands. Ikehiro developed a gritty, unconventional style that made him an excellent match for Zatoichi and the antihero screen personae of Raizo Ichikawa.

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Possibly his greatest achievement came with Raizo, when he played an instrumental part in the Nemuri Kyoshiro series. The first three movies had been fairly straightforward chambara adventures, but with 1964's Sword of Seduction, Ikehiro steered the series into the surreal and stylistically outrageous extremes that made the Son of the Black Mass so legendary.

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The best way into Kazuo Ikehiro's work
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage posterFirst watchZatoichi's Pilgrimage19667.1Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold poster6.9Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold1964Zatoichi's Flashing Sword poster6.9Zatoichi's Flashing Sword1964

Filmography

53 films as director
  1. 2022Tulips in OctoberDirector
  2. 2021Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement AgeDirector
  3. 2019Koya no ShomeiDirector
  4. 2017Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last FamilyDirector
  5. 2016Murder Credit - Final Destination SeriesDirector
  6. 2016Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: SurvivorsDirector
  7. 2015Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of GoodwillDirector
  8. 2008Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal StationDirector
  9. 2001Destination Station Series - Homicide AssignmentDirector
  10. 1991Castle of SandDirector
  11. 1990The Mysterious Lightning BeautyDirector
  12. 1986The Beauty with the Enchanting MelodyDirector
  13. 1984Make-UpDirector
  14. 1983Satsujin Kou Oku no HosomichiDirector
  15. 1982Goyou Sen EnjouDirector
  16. 1981Lowly RoninDirector
  17. 1973Slaughter in the SnowDirector
  18. 1972The Fearless AvengerDirector
  19. 1972The Trail of BloodDirector
  20. 1971Kataashi no ēsuDirector
  21. 1970Useless Creature: Fighting Man's LifeDirector
  22. 1970Live My Share, MotherDirector
  23. 1970Naked AmbitionDirector
  24. 1969Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot SwordplayDirector
  25. 1969Prison BreakDirector
  26. 1969Broken SwordsDirector
  27. 1969Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle MenagerieDirector
  28. 1968Hoodlum Priest And The Gold MintDirector
  29. 1968The Daring NunDirector
  30. 1968Lone Wolf IsazoDirector
  31. 1967Young Boss: Leader's FleshDirector
  32. 1967Escape ManDirector
  33. 1967Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of TrapsDirector
  34. 1966Shinobi no mono 8: The Three EnemiesDirector
  35. 1966Zatoichi's PilgrimageDirector
  36. 1966Wild GeeseDirector
  37. 1966The Thieves' Who's WhoDirector
  38. 1966Young Boss: Invitation to FightDirector
  39. 1965Young Boss: Prison ReleaseDirector
  40. 1965Young BossDirector
  41. 1964Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist SaizoDirector
  42. 1964Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of SeductionDirector
  43. 1964Zatoichi's Flashing SwordDirector
  44. 1964Zatoichi and the Chest of GoldDirector
  45. 1963Rabble TacticsDirector
  46. 1963Cut the ShadowDirector
  47. 1962Hell's AssassinDirector
  48. 1962Seven Miles to NakayamaDirector
  49. 1961Flowers of ChivalryDirector
  50. 1961The Phantom SamuraiDirector
  51. 1961The Gambler's CodeDirector
  52. 1961Tenka ayatsuri-gumiDirector
  53. 1960Bara daimyoDirector