Yūji Hamada

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Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (1972)

In this first film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, adapted from the manga by Kazuo Koike, we are told the story of the Lone Wolf and Cub's origin. Ogami Itto, the official Shogunate executioner, has been framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the Yagyu clan, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Fumio Watanabe  •  Shigeru Tsuyuguchi  •  Tomoko Mayama

In this first film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, adapted from the manga by Kazuo Koike, we are told the story of the Lone Wolf and Cub's origin. Ogami Itto, the official Shogunate executioner, has been framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the Yagyu clan, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Fumio Watanabe  •  Shigeru Tsuyuguchi  •  Tomoko Mayama

The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962)

Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Yoshie Mizutani  •  Masayo Banri  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama

Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Yoshie Mizutani  •  Masayo Banri  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama

The Third Shadow Warrior (1963)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Umetsugu Inoue
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Hizuru Takachiho  •  Masayo Banri  •  Shigeru Amachi

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Umetsugu Inoue
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Hizuru Takachiho  •  Masayo Banri  •  Shigeru Amachi

Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice (1972)

Fearless Edo-period police inspector Hanzo Itami, nicknamed The Razor, has developed his own unique way of extracting information for his inquiries. His first adventure sees him investigating his superior officer's mistress, whom he suspects of having ties with a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Kō Nishimura  •  Yukiji Asaoka  •  Mari Atsumi

Fearless Edo-period police inspector Hanzo Itami, nicknamed The Razor, has developed his own unique way of extracting information for his inquiries. His first adventure sees him investigating his superior officer's mistress, whom he suspects of having ties with a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Kō Nishimura  •  Yukiji Asaoka  •  Mari Atsumi

Return of Daimajin (1966)

The tyrannical Lord Danjo Mikoshiba covets the rich, fertile lands surrounding Lake Yakumo. During a memorial ceremony for the late Chigusa lord, Mikoshiba launches an attack, overthrowing the honorable Lord Juro. Just when all seems lost, Daimajin rises from Lake ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Kōjirō Hongō  •  Shiho Fujimura  •  Taro Marui  •  Takashi Kanda

The tyrannical Lord Danjo Mikoshiba covets the rich, fertile lands surrounding Lake Yakumo. During a memorial ceremony for the late Chigusa lord, Mikoshiba launches an attack, overthrowing the honorable Lord Juro. Just when all seems lost, Daimajin rises from Lake ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Kōjirō Hongō  •  Shiho Fujimura  •  Taro Marui  •  Takashi Kanda

Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival (1970)

Zatoichi is mentored by the blind leader of a secret organization as he contends with both the Yakuza and a jealous husband.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Reiko Ōhara  •  Masayuki Mori

Zatoichi is mentored by the blind leader of a secret organization as he contends with both the Yakuza and a jealous husband.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Reiko Ōhara  •  Masayuki Mori

Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)

After arriving in the town of Shimonita, Ichi finds that a price has been put on his head by a local yakuza boss. He's drawn into a trap, but after hearing of the slaying of a former love, Ichi furiously fights his way through the entire clan to face the killer, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tokuzō Tanaka
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Miwa Takada  •  Masayo Banri  •  Katsuhiko Kobayashi

After arriving in the town of Shimonita, Ichi finds that a price has been put on his head by a local yakuza boss. He's drawn into a trap, but after hearing of the slaying of a former love, Ichi furiously fights his way through the entire clan to face the killer, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tokuzō Tanaka
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Miwa Takada  •  Masayo Banri  •  Katsuhiko Kobayashi

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction (1964)

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!  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Ikehiro
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Michiko Ai  •  Akira Amemiya  •  Shinjirō Asano

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!  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Ikehiro
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Michiko Ai  •  Akira Amemiya  •  Shinjirō Asano

Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing (1964)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kimiyoshi Yasuda
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Kyooko Azuma  •  Hajime Koshikawa  •  Jun Fujikawa

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kimiyoshi Yasuda
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Kyooko Azuma  •  Hajime Koshikawa  •  Jun Fujikawa

The Blind Menace (1960)

This is the story of a blind masseur who tricks people, steals, and kills; he is the anti-Zatoichi  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Mieko Kondō  •  Tōru Abe  •  Tamao Nakamura

This is the story of a blind masseur who tricks people, steals, and kills; he is the anti-Zatoichi  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Mieko Kondō  •  Tōru Abe  •  Tamao Nakamura

Samurai Vendetta (1959)

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Shintarō Katsu  •  Chitose Maki  •  Ryōsuke Kagawa

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Shintarō Katsu  •  Chitose Maki  •  Ryōsuke Kagawa

The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)

The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Masayo Banri  •  Ryûzô Shimada  •  Hajime Mitamura

The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Masayo Banri  •  Ryûzô Shimada  •  Hajime Mitamura

Hidden Story of the Yagyu Clan (1956)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Katsuhiko Tasaka
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Shintarō Katsu  •  Naritoshi Hayashi  •  Shunji Natsume

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Katsuhiko Tasaka
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Shintarō Katsu  •  Naritoshi Hayashi  •  Shunji Natsume

Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1971)

Zatoichi is a blind massage therapist and swordsman who finds out that something troubling is taking place on the outskirts of town. After discovering who the guilty parties are -- an accomplished Chinese martial artist named Wang Kang and his youthful attendant -- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kimiyoshi Yasuda  •  Hsu Tseng-Hung
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Yuko Hama  •  Michie Terada  •  Kôji Nanbara

Zatoichi is a blind massage therapist and swordsman who finds out that something troubling is taking place on the outskirts of town. After discovering who the guilty parties are -- an accomplished Chinese martial artist named Wang Kang and his youthful attendant -- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kimiyoshi Yasuda  •  Hsu Tseng-Hung
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Yuko Hama  •  Michie Terada  •  Kôji Nanbara

Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970)

With a price on his head, Ichi seeks tranquillity in a favorite village. Since his last visit, it has fallen prey to Boss Masagoro, the son of a merchant rumored to have stolen gold from the shogunate. The boss has hired Yojimbo as his hard-drinking enforcer, but ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kihachi Okamoto
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Toshirō Mifune  •  Ayako Wakao  •  Osamu Takizawa

With a price on his head, Ichi seeks tranquillity in a favorite village. Since his last visit, it has fallen prey to Boss Masagoro, the son of a merchant rumored to have stolen gold from the shogunate. The boss has hired Yojimbo as his hard-drinking enforcer, but ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kihachi Okamoto
CAST:  Shintarō Katsu  •  Toshirō Mifune  •  Ayako Wakao  •  Osamu Takizawa

Shinobi no Mono 2: Vengeance (1963)

[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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satsuo Yamamoto
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Shiho Fujimura  •  Saburo Date  •  Mikiko Tsubouchi

[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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satsuo Yamamoto
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Shiho Fujimura  •  Saburo Date  •  Mikiko Tsubouchi

Buddha (1961)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Kōjirō Hongō  •  Charito Solis  •  Shintarō Katsu  •  Machiko Kyō

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kenji Misumi
CAST:  Kōjirō Hongō  •  Charito Solis  •  Shintarō Katsu  •  Machiko Kyō

Blood End (1969)

BLOOD END is one of the great unknown films from Japan's golden era of the late 1960's. Starring NAKADAI Tatsuya in one of his best roles, this is the story of the Mito Tengu Group who attempted to overthrow the Shogunate at the beginning of the Bakumatsu Period. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satsuo Yamamoto
CAST:  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Ayako Wakao  •  Gō Katō  •  Yukiyo Toake

BLOOD END is one of the great unknown films from Japan's golden era of the late 1960's. Starring NAKADAI Tatsuya in one of his best roles, this is the story of the Mito Tengu Group who attempted to overthrow the Shogunate at the beginning of the Bakumatsu Period. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Satsuo Yamamoto
CAST:  Tatsuya Nakadai  •  Ayako Wakao  •  Gō Katō  •  Yukiyo Toake

A Certain Killer (1967)

A former soldier, reduced to working at a restaurant post-war, becomes a contract killer for the yakuza gangs he's in contact with.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Yumiko Nogawa  •  Mikio Narita  •  Mayumi Nagisa

A former soldier, reduced to working at a restaurant post-war, becomes a contract killer for the yakuza gangs he's in contact with.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kazuo Mori
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Yumiko Nogawa  •  Mikio Narita  •  Mayumi Nagisa

A Lustful Man (1961)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yasuzō Masumura
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Ayako Wakao  •  Tamao Nakamura  •  Yoshie Mizutani

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Yasuzō Masumura
CAST:  Raizō Ichikawa  •  Ayako Wakao  •  Tamao Nakamura  •  Yoshie Mizutani
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