Tai Katō

Born in Hyōgo Prefecture, Kato was the nephew of the film director Sadao Yamanaka. He entered the Toho studio in 1937 and first began by working on documentaries. He worked as an assistant director to Akira Kurosawa in Rashomon. After World War II he switched to making jidaigeki.

2

Flower and Dragon (1973)

Kingoro Tamai moves with his wife and son to the port city of Wakamatsu. He organizes the Tamai-gumi, a stevedore group, to vie for work with two other powerful groups. Gingo is Tamai's chief rival who falls in love with the latter's wife and tries to kill Tamai.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tetsuya Watari  •  Yoshiko Kayama  •  Muga Takewaki  •  Junzaburō Ban

Kingoro Tamai moves with his wife and son to the port city of Wakamatsu. He organizes the Tamai-gumi, a stevedore group, to vie for work with two other powerful groups. Gingo is Tamai's chief rival who falls in love with the latter's wife and tries to kill Tamai.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tetsuya Watari  •  Yoshiko Kayama  •  Muga Takewaki  •  Junzaburō Ban

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

A Scream from Nowhere (1977)

In 1930, the chance meeting of a novelist and one of his fans opens the door to a series of mysterious events culminating in the death of a wealthy industrialist who may have been leading a double life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Teruhiko Aoi  •  Yoshiko Kayama  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Mitsuko Baisho

In 1930, the chance meeting of a novelist and one of his fans opens the door to a series of mysterious events culminating in the death of a wealthy industrialist who may have been leading a double life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Teruhiko Aoi  •  Yoshiko Kayama  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Mitsuko Baisho

I, the Executioner (1968)

Police investigators investigate the link between a serial killer's machinations and a young man who committed suicide.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Makoto Satō  •  Chieko Baisho  •  Kin Sugai  •  Tatsuo Matsumura

Police investigators investigate the link between a serial killer's machinations and a young man who committed suicide.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Makoto Satō  •  Chieko Baisho  •  Kin Sugai  •  Tatsuo Matsumura

In Search of Mother (1962)

Period piece about a young man who, because of his hard life alone in the world, has become a yakuza. When he hears that his mother may be living in Edo (Tokyo), he travels there, intent on finding her and leaving the swordsman's life behind. But a team of rival ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Hiroki Matsukata  •  Michiyo Kogure  •  Keiko Okawa

Period piece about a young man who, because of his hard life alone in the world, has become a yakuza. When he hears that his mother may be living in Edo (Tokyo), he travels there, intent on finding her and leaving the swordsman's life behind. But a team of rival ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Hiroki Matsukata  •  Michiyo Kogure  •  Keiko Okawa

Kutsukake Tokijiro: The Lonely Yakuza (1966)

Tokijiro has the unfortunate duty according to the code of the gamblers to join in the fighting when afforded a night’s stay and meals at the home of a town boss. Though he dislikes killing, the strength of his swordsmanship will be tested time and time again in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Yōko Mihara  •  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Kiyoshi Atsumi  •  Junko Ikeuchi

Tokijiro has the unfortunate duty according to the code of the gamblers to join in the fighting when afforded a night’s stay and meals at the home of a town boss. Though he dislikes killing, the strength of his swordsmanship will be tested time and time again in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Yōko Mihara  •  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Kiyoshi Atsumi  •  Junko Ikeuchi

Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards Game (1969)

The third chapter of the ‘Red Peony Gambler’ saga depicts the happiness and sadness of Red Peony Oryu’s life as she seals her femininity with a red peony tattoo and lives in world of chivalry and honor of the yakuza. This story takes place in the middle of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Ken Takakura  •  Kanjūrō Arashi  •  Teruo Ishiyama

The third chapter of the ‘Red Peony Gambler’ saga depicts the happiness and sadness of Red Peony Oryu’s life as she seals her femininity with a red peony tattoo and lives in world of chivalry and honor of the yakuza. This story takes place in the middle of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Ken Takakura  •  Kanjūrō Arashi  •  Teruo Ishiyama

Sasuke and His Comedians (1963)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Jerry Fujio  •  Mickey Curtis  •  Misako Watanabe

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Jerry Fujio  •  Mickey Curtis  •  Misako Watanabe

Warrior of the Wind (1964)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Hashizo Okawa  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi  •  Naoko Kubo  •  Sanae Nakahara

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Hashizo Okawa  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi  •  Naoko Kubo  •  Sanae Nakahara

The Ondekoza (1981)

A documentary profiling a Japanese taiko drumming group based in the remote Sado Island, Japan. The film blurs the line between real-life documentary footage of the troupe's training and practice regimes, and staged performances of their varied musical acts, with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Eitetsu Hayashi  •  Toshio Kawauchi  •  Yoshiaki Ooi  •  Yoshikazu Fujimoto

A documentary profiling a Japanese taiko drumming group based in the remote Sado Island, Japan. The film blurs the line between real-life documentary footage of the troupe's training and practice regimes, and staged performances of their varied musical acts, with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Eitetsu Hayashi  •  Toshio Kawauchi  •  Yoshiaki Ooi  •  Yoshikazu Fujimoto

Red Peony Gambler: Here to Kill You (1971)

The seventh chapter of the stunning Hibotan Bakuto series. Many years have passed since Oryu the Red Peony began her soul-searching journey after her father was killed. In her travels, she meets villagers whose crops and livelihoods are being destroyed by pollution ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Koji Tsuruta  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Kanjūrō Arashi

The seventh chapter of the stunning Hibotan Bakuto series. Many years have passed since Oryu the Red Peony began her soul-searching journey after her father was killed. In her travels, she meets villagers whose crops and livelihoods are being destroyed by pollution ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Koji Tsuruta  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Kanjūrō Arashi

Red Peony Gambler: Oryu's Return (1970)

Oryu searches for blind child she left behind and get involved in a Yakuza turf war that takes place in the Tokyo Theater.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tōru Abe  •  Sumiko Fuji  •  Bin Amatsu  •  Kanjūrō Arashi

Oryu searches for blind child she left behind and get involved in a Yakuza turf war that takes place in the Tokyo Theater.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tōru Abe  •  Sumiko Fuji  •  Bin Amatsu  •  Kanjūrō Arashi

Wind, Woman and Road (1958)

A chance meeting between two traveling gamblers leads to a case of mistaken identity when the farmers transporting gold to the governor think they are about to be robbed as the two gamblers face off against each other swords in hand.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Rentaro Mikuni  •  Satomi Oka  •  Yumiko Hasegawa

A chance meeting between two traveling gamblers leads to a case of mistaken identity when the farmers transporting gold to the governor think they are about to be robbed as the two gamblers face off against each other swords in hand.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Rentaro Mikuni  •  Satomi Oka  •  Yumiko Hasegawa

Castle of Flames (1960)

In 17th century Japan, Young Lord Masato returns after years abroad to find everything changed: his peace-loving father has died in what he soon finds to be mysterious circumstances, and his mother's married to his uncle, whose ruthless ambition is causing turmoil ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Hashizo Okawa  •  Denjirō Ōkōchi  •  Mieko Takamine  •  Yoshiko Mita

In 17th century Japan, Young Lord Masato returns after years abroad to find everything changed: his peace-loving father has died in what he soon finds to be mysterious circumstances, and his mother's married to his uncle, whose ruthless ambition is causing turmoil ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Hashizo Okawa  •  Denjirō Ōkōchi  •  Mieko Takamine  •  Yoshiko Mita

The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost (1961)

Yotsuya Kaidan, the story of Oiwa and Tamiya Iemon, is a tale of betrayal, murder and ghostly revenge. Arguably the most famous Japanese ghost story of all time, it has been adapted for film over 30 times, and continues to be an influence on Japanese horror today.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Sawamura Sōjūrō IX  •  Sentarō Fushimi  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi

Yotsuya Kaidan, the story of Oiwa and Tamiya Iemon, is a tale of betrayal, murder and ghostly revenge. Arguably the most famous Japanese ghost story of all time, it has been adapted for film over 30 times, and continues to be an influence on Japanese horror today.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Sawamura Sōjūrō IX  •  Sentarō Fushimi  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi

Fighting Tatsu, the Rickshaw Man (1964)

Richshaw man Tatsu has wandered to Osaka from Tokyo. He has quarrels with Kimiyakko, a geisha, and throws her into the river. But later, he falls in love with her. Yasaburo, the oyabun of the Nishikawa Gang, loves her very much too. However, as he likes Tatsu's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Chōichirō Kawarasaki  •  Nami Munakata  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi

Richshaw man Tatsu has wandered to Osaka from Tokyo. He has quarrels with Kimiyakko, a geisha, and throws her into the river. But later, he falls in love with her. Yasaburo, the oyabun of the Nishikawa Gang, loves her very much too. However, as he likes Tatsu's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Sumiko Fuji  •  Chōichirō Kawarasaki  •  Nami Munakata  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi

Blood of Revenge (1965)

Osaka, 1907: Asajiro lives between a rock and a hard place: he has to keep his business clean and running, tame his late oyabun’s hot-blooded son and suffer the throes of his impossible love for beautiful geisha Hatsue.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Koji Tsuruta  •  Sumiko Fuji  •  Minoru Ōki  •  Masahiko Tsugawa

Osaka, 1907: Asajiro lives between a rock and a hard place: he has to keep his business clean and running, tame his late oyabun’s hot-blooded son and suffer the throes of his impossible love for beautiful geisha Hatsue.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Koji Tsuruta  •  Sumiko Fuji  •  Minoru Ōki  •  Masahiko Tsugawa

Flames of Blood (1981)

The story is set in Bakumatsu and revolves around the Bunta Sugawara character, a yakuza (of course :) but instead of a modern yakuza/gangster, he's a gambler/bakuto). After he kills someone and gets wound, is saved by a blind woman (Mitsuko Baishô), who took care ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Bunta Sugawara  •  Mitsuko Baisho  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi

The story is set in Bakumatsu and revolves around the Bunta Sugawara character, a yakuza (of course :) but instead of a modern yakuza/gangster, he's a gambler/bakuto). After he kills someone and gets wound, is saved by a blind woman (Mitsuko Baishô), who took care ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Bunta Sugawara  •  Mitsuko Baisho  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Hiroko Sakuramachi

逆襲大蛇丸 (1955)

An early fantasy film starring Tomisaburô Wakayama.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tomiemon Otomo  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Jun Tazaki  •  Michiko Saga

An early fantasy film starring Tomisaburô Wakayama.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Tomiemon Otomo  •  Tomisaburō Wakayama  •  Jun Tazaki  •  Michiko Saga

Tales of Young Genji Kuro (1957)

Genji Kurô is a master swordsman and entrusted with protecting the ancient sword Kaen by the Otsubo family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Shinobu Chihara  •  Yoshiko Wakamizu  •  Yuriko Tashiro

Genji Kurô is a master swordsman and entrusted with protecting the ancient sword Kaen by the Otsubo family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tai Katō
CAST:  Kinnosuke Nakamura  •  Shinobu Chihara  •  Yoshiko Wakamizu  •  Yuriko Tashiro
2