Isao Kimura

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Isao Kimura (木村 功 Kimura Isao), also known as Kō Kimura, was a Japanese actor. He appeared in several films directed by Akira Kurosawa. The first was Stray Dog (1949) as Yusa the criminal. Perhaps his most notable collaboration with Kurosawa was in Seven Samurai as the youngest of the samurai, Katsushiro. During his career he also appeared in several films directed by Mikio Naruse as well as appearing in the famous Lone Wolf and Cub film series. In addition to a film career spanning almost thirty years, Kimura founded and directed an acting company which ultimately went bankrupt. He died of esophageal cancer at 57 years old.

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High and Low (1963)

A shoe company executive who has mortgaged everything he has becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped and is conflicted over whether he should pay the ransom.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Kyōko Kagawa  •  Tatsuya Mihashi

A shoe company executive who has mortgaged everything he has becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped and is conflicted over whether he should pay the ransom.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Kyōko Kagawa  •  Tatsuya Mihashi

Ikiru (1952)

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Takashi Shimura  •  Haruo Tanaka  •  Nobuo Kaneko  •  Bokuzen Hidari

Kanji Watanabe is a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for decades. Learning he has cancer, he starts to look for the meaning of his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Takashi Shimura  •  Haruo Tanaka  •  Nobuo Kaneko  •  Bokuzen Hidari

Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell (1974)

In the sixth and final film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, the final conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu clan is carried out.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yoshiyuki Kuroda
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Akihiro Tomikawa  •  Junko Hitomi  •  Gorō Mutsumi

In the sixth and final film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, the final conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu clan is carried out.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yoshiyuki Kuroda
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Akihiro Tomikawa  •  Junko Hitomi  •  Gorō Mutsumi

Stray Dog (1949)

A bad day gets worse for young detective Murakami when a pickpocket steals his gun on a hot, crowded bus. Desperate to right the wrong, he goes undercover, scavenging Tokyo’s sweltering streets for the stray dog whose desperation has led him to a life of crime. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Keiko Awaji  •  Eiko Miyoshi

A bad day gets worse for young detective Murakami when a pickpocket steals his gun on a hot, crowded bus. Desperate to right the wrong, he goes undercover, scavenging Tokyo’s sweltering streets for the stray dog whose desperation has led him to a life of crime. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Keiko Awaji  •  Eiko Miyoshi

Seven Samurai (1954)

A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Yoshio Inaba  •  Seiji Miyaguchi

A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Takashi Shimura  •  Yoshio Inaba  •  Seiji Miyaguchi

Throne of Blood (1957)

Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Isuzu Yamada  •  Akira Kubo  •  Hiroshi Tachikawa

Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Akira Kurosawa
CAST:  Toshirō Mifune  •  Isuzu Yamada  •  Akira Kubo  •  Hiroshi Tachikawa

The Story of Pure Love (1957)

Junai Monogatari AKA Story of Pure Love is about two poor youths, Mitsuko and Kando, rebelling against society in various ways, who are desperately trying to be together despite tortuous circumstances. The film depicts their lives as thieves, menial laborers who ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Shinjirô Ehara  •  Hitomi Nakahara  •  Eiji Okada  •  Isao Kimura

Junai Monogatari AKA Story of Pure Love is about two poor youths, Mitsuko and Kando, rebelling against society in various ways, who are desperately trying to be together despite tortuous circumstances. The film depicts their lives as thieves, menial laborers who ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Shinjirô Ehara  •  Hitomi Nakahara  •  Eiji Okada  •  Isao Kimura

Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (1963)

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he recounts his gruesome family history which saw generations of his ancestors suffer and sacrifice themselves for the sake of their cruel lords.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Eijirō Tōno  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Masayuki Mori

After a salary-man's fiancée attempts suicide, he recounts his gruesome family history which saw generations of his ancestors suffer and sacrifice themselves for the sake of their cruel lords.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Eijirō Tōno  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Masayuki Mori

The Love of the Actress Sumako (1947)

The stage director Shimamura, who is bringing western theatre to Japan, falls in love with the outspoken actress Sumako Matsui, and leaves his family to be with her, while trying to keep his Art Theatre solvent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Mizoguchi
CAST:  Kinuyo Tanaka  •  Sō Yamamura  •  Kikue Mōri  •  Chieko Higashiyama

The stage director Shimamura, who is bringing western theatre to Japan, falls in love with the outspoken actress Sumako Matsui, and leaves his family to be with her, while trying to keep his Art Theatre solvent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Mizoguchi
CAST:  Kinuyo Tanaka  •  Sō Yamamura  •  Kikue Mōri  •  Chieko Higashiyama

The Shape of Night (1964)

Yoshie Nogami, a factory worker by day, moonlights as a hostess at a bar. One of the regulars, Eiji Kitami, invites her out on a date. Still only 19, she goes along out of curiosity and ends up spending the night at a hotel where she gives herself to him. They ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Noboru Nakamura
CAST:  Miyuki Kuwano  •  Mikijiro Hira  •  Keisuke Sonoi  •  Masuyo Iwamoto

Yoshie Nogami, a factory worker by day, moonlights as a hostess at a bar. One of the regulars, Eiji Kitami, invites her out on a date. Still only 19, she goes along out of curiosity and ends up spending the night at a hotel where she gives herself to him. They ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Noboru Nakamura
CAST:  Miyuki Kuwano  •  Mikijiro Hira  •  Keisuke Sonoi  •  Masuyo Iwamoto

Cruel Story of the Shogunate's Downfall (1964)

A headstrong young man seeks to join the Shinsengumi, but while his determination impresses his superiors, questions begin to arise as to his true identity and intentions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Hashizo Okawa  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chōichirō Kawarasaki

A headstrong young man seeks to join the Shinsengumi, but while his determination impresses his superiors, questions begin to arise as to his true identity and intentions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Hashizo Okawa  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chōichirō Kawarasaki

The Temple of Wild Geese (1962)

Satoko is a mistress by trade or fate: when her master, the silkscreen artist of the Kohoan Temple in Kyoto, dies, she is given to the temple's lascivious head priest Kikuchi. She is drawn to a melancholy young acolyte, Jinen, who has observed the profligacy of his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yūzō Kawashima
CAST:  Ayako Wakao  •  Masao Mishima  •  Isao Kimura  •  Kuniichi Takami

Satoko is a mistress by trade or fate: when her master, the silkscreen artist of the Kohoan Temple in Kyoto, dies, she is given to the temple's lascivious head priest Kikuchi. She is drawn to a melancholy young acolyte, Jinen, who has observed the profligacy of his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yūzō Kawashima
CAST:  Ayako Wakao  •  Masao Mishima  •  Isao Kimura  •  Kuniichi Takami

Vacuum Zone (1952)

Just before the end of the war, Japanese soldier Kitani is released from prison, having served his term for theft. Told in flashback, viewers learn about Kitani's past and reasons behind his prison sentence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satsuo Yamamoto
CAST:  Isao Kimura  •  Takashi Kanda  •  Yoshi Katō  •  Tsutomu Shimomoto

Just before the end of the war, Japanese soldier Kitani is released from prison, having served his term for theft. Told in flashback, viewers learn about Kitani's past and reasons behind his prison sentence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satsuo Yamamoto
CAST:  Isao Kimura  •  Takashi Kanda  •  Yoshi Katō  •  Tsutomu Shimomoto

Little Peach (1958)

Anzukko (Little Peach) is the daughter of a successful writer. She turns down each one of her suitors, until she marries a beginning writer named Ryokichi. Their life quickly sinks into despair.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mikio Naruse
CAST:  Kyōko Kagawa  •  Sō Yamamura  •  Isao Kimura  •  Daisuke Katō

Anzukko (Little Peach) is the daughter of a successful writer. She turns down each one of her suitors, until she marries a beginning writer named Ryokichi. Their life quickly sinks into despair.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mikio Naruse
CAST:  Kyōko Kagawa  •  Sō Yamamura  •  Isao Kimura  •  Daisuke Katō

Conquest (1965)

Provincial 14th century governor Moronao, attracted to the wife of a court magistrate, tries to seduce her and when she rejects his advances plots to send her husband into battle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kaneto Shindō
CAST:  Nobuko Otowa  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Eitarō Ozawa  •  Isao Kimura

Provincial 14th century governor Moronao, attracted to the wife of a court magistrate, tries to seduce her and when she rejects his advances plots to send her husband into battle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kaneto Shindō
CAST:  Nobuko Otowa  •  Kyôko Kishida  •  Eitarō Ozawa  •  Isao Kimura

Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn (1966)

Loyal samurai Samanosuke is attacked, mutilated, and left for dead while carrying out a mission for his clan. He recovers but has lost an eye and an arm. Taking a new identity as Tange Sazen, he searches for a stolen urn which has hidden significance to his clan. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hideo Gosha
CAST:  Keiko Awaji  •  Isao Kimura  •  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Seizaburō Kawazu

Loyal samurai Samanosuke is attacked, mutilated, and left for dead while carrying out a mission for his clan. He recovers but has lost an eye and an arm. Taking a new identity as Tange Sazen, he searches for a stolen urn which has hidden significance to his clan. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hideo Gosha
CAST:  Keiko Awaji  •  Isao Kimura  •  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Seizaburō Kawazu

Still I Live On (1951)

About the struggles of day labourers to achieve dignity and a standard of living above the starvation level. Utilising the Zenshinza theatrical troupe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Chōjūrō Kawarasaki  •  Kan'emon Nakamura  •  Isao Kimura  •  Shizue Kawarazaki

About the struggles of day labourers to achieve dignity and a standard of living above the starvation level. Utilising the Zenshinza theatrical troupe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tadashi Imai
CAST:  Chōjūrō Kawarasaki  •  Kan'emon Nakamura  •  Isao Kimura  •  Shizue Kawarazaki

Miyamoto Musashi (1961)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Akiko Kazami  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Akiko Kazami  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura

Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of Two Sword Style (1963)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijo Temple (1964)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tomu Uchida
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Wakaba Irie  •  Isao Kimura  •  Chieko Naniwa
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