
Acting
Kōtarō Bandō
Born — Died
1911-05-04 — 1981-11-28
Place of birth
Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Known for
Acting
Credits
60 titles
Known for
7.1Japan, 1159. Moritō, a brave samurai, performs a heroic act by rescuing the lovely Kesa during a violent uprising. Moritō falls in love with her, but becomes distraught when he finds out that she is married.
Gate of Hell
1953
NRA remake of High Noon (1952) as a Japanese jidai-geki sword-fighting movie.
Duel at Sundown
1955
NRItarō abandons his life as a hatamoto to become a yakuza.
Itarō jishi
1955
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Akōgishi
1954
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Date sōdō: Haha goten
1954
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Dekoboko taikōki
1953
Film credits
1960s · 16 titles
NRYoung girl Kichiza searches for her missing brother and the person responsible for the death of her parents.
Hibari’s Favorite 2
1960
6.0An injured Edo official is rescued by a vassal whose appearance is exactly like himself, and swears to sweep out the criminals from the town on his behalf.
The Phantom Goblin
1962
7.6A samurai plots to reclaim his estranged wife after she leaves him over a murder scandal. When her sister falls victim to a scheme, he and his friend manipulate events, but their plans lead to supernatural vengeance.
The Tale of Oiwa's Ghost
1961
8.0Rampant ronin Matashiro Sasai, finds himself embroiled in serious unrest after he rescues a geisha who is being kidnapped by a group of ronin.
Diary of Good Conduct Matashiro: A beautiful bat
1961
NREvil wizards and ninjutsu black magic cloud the land as the legendary Sanada Yukimura tries to defend Osaka Castle from Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tightening noose. Can Sarutobi Sasuke and Saizo the Mist level the playing field with their own ninjutsu skills? This rousing gem in the plucky swashbuckling ninja magician vein is full of familiar historical and shinobi genre names, plus rarer characters like a lady wizard and a female samurai love interest. Satomi Kotaro and Yamashiro Shingo star in what was one of the last bastions of this type of ninja movie before the Shinobi-no-Mono inspired 60s craze redefined the genre.
Ninjutsu at Sanada Castle
1961
9.0A family is brutally murdered in their own home and the official government's sake dealer is framed as a rebel by a corrupt member of the Shogun's Council of Elders. Young Lord decides to take on the Shogun's vile chief attendant.
Case of a Young Lord 8
1960
5.7The stormy tale of the Shinsengumi is told from its birth by master filmmaker Sasaki Yasushi, with an all-star cast based on the original story by Shirai Kyoji. The battles between the royalists and Shogunate supporters come to a fever pitch during the Gion Festival as the exclusionists plot to burn Kyoto and kidnap the Emperor. From its earliest beginnings as a group of ronin brought from Edo to protect the Shogun when he is in Kyoto to see His Imperial Highness, the group had to face difficulties both from within and without. Commander Serizawa Kamo's corrupt practices threaten the group's very existence, as they try to recover from the bad reputation he left them with. Their redemption comes when they learn of Katsura Kogoro plans to gather men at Kyoto's Ikedaya Inn for his attack on the city. Along with Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Soji, Kondo leads the group in an attempt to save Japan from the rebels.
The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence
1960
5.5The story concerns the efforts of seven master swordsman who join together to protect the new inexperienced Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune from the evil plans of the Owari Clan's corrupt Lord. It's a colorful bunch, a drunk samurai, a master thief, a sword instructor and a Lord who is disguised as a ronin since it is an executable offense for a lord to wander outside of their domain without permission. As the Chief Magistrate becomes suspicious of the Owari plot to send men to Kodenmacho Prison to start a riot he begins to investigate the rumors. He soon calls upon the Lord of Mikazuki Castle and the Shogun's best friend to help thwart the evil ambitions and battle the rouge swordsman hired by the Owari Clan.
Kisaragi Sword
1962
6.0A kindhearted wandering gambler named Hajiro gets involved in a crisis of a village as he passes through and decides to lend a sword in hopes to rescue them.
Hanjiro of Kusama: Bird of Passage
1960
NR1960 Toei film
Rumble Festival
1960
NRBored Hatamoto movie #29
Bored Hatamoto: The Mysterious Coral Mansion
1962
NR1962 Japanese movie
Ōedo no taka
1962
7.0At a tavern in Shimoda, Ronin Tadakazu Yamakawa saved a samurai girl named Mino from the clutches of the Benten family. When Mino's father, Kyohei Tsuchihashi, is murdered by unknown assailants, Tadakazu is summoned to Akane-ya, the landlord of this area. He promises to ensure the safety of Mino for three days, during which the Benten family must not harm her...
Queen of the Treasure Island
1960
10.0A story about a tomboy, Otoshi, who is good at singing, dancing and fencing.
Little Tengu
1961
6.0A dashing edition with fights , love, and laughter, in which the sorrows and joys of the guiltless world are colored by the guiltless travel crow, Ayame 's Gantaro, with the turbulent and exciting Wakizashi Hitoshi .
Road Warriors
1960
8.0At the crowded Komatsuya in Kawadome, travellers are holding a secret art contest to relieve boredom. However, a thief goes around. During the sudden commotion, a young man called Gentaro begins to perform magic tricks. This magic trick brings out the lost wallets of the travellers one after another. Even the thief himself, Shinzo, is surprised by this trick. Gentaro hears that Okinu, daughter of Kutsukake Jinbei, is looking for Eijiro, the young boss of Omaeda. Gentaro arrives and introduces himself as Eijiro Omaeda. He moves to Kichibei's family in Sakamoto-juku where he meets Okinu's father who needs help.
Traveling of Two Young Men
1961
1950s · 34 titles
7.1Japan, 1159. Moritō, a brave samurai, performs a heroic act by rescuing the lovely Kesa during a violent uprising. Moritō falls in love with her, but becomes distraught when he finds out that she is married.
Gate of Hell
1953
NRA remake of High Noon (1952) as a Japanese jidai-geki sword-fighting movie.
Duel at Sundown
1955
NRItarō abandons his life as a hatamoto to become a yakuza.
Itarō jishi
1955
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Akōgishi
1954
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Date sōdō: Haha goten
1954
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Dekoboko taikōki
1953
No synopsis available yet.
Seki no yatappe
1953
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Hana no kenkajō
1953
6.0Genji, the illegitimate offspring of a Japanese potentate, goes by the philosophy of "love 'em and leave 'em" as a matter of course. Only when his heart is broken by Awaji does Genji realizes how much pain he himself has caused.
The Tale of Genji
1951
NRA young swordsman takes on the mysterious, deadly “Demon Sword” wielded by a nihilistic master swordsman who trusts neither human compassion nor a woman’s heart… What is the fate of the undefeated Demon Sword?
Demon Sword
1953
7.7A woman loses her son through an evil conspiracy and commits suicide. Shortly afterwards a ghost cat begins haunting the conspirators. This is Takako Irie's first bakeneko (ghost cat) movie; it started a Daiei cycle which was very popular at the time in Japan.
Ghost of Saga Mansion
1953
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Tenpō suiko-den: Tone no himatsuri
1952
7.0An adaptation of the famous 16th century novel, Journey to the West.
Saiyûki
1952
NRA girl from a tenement house was abducted in broad daylight, right in the heart of Edo.
Jigoku taiko
1953
10.0No synopsis available yet.
Judge of the Ashuras
1951
Japanese comedy film released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Shintoho's founding.
Holiday in Japan
1958
NRA historical film that portrays the fervent and violent actions of young Army and Navy officers, such as the February 26 and May 15 incidents, in a semi-documentary style.
Bloody History of Soldiers
1958
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Castle of Carnage
1952
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kai nusumadara kumo
1954
NRA film about sumo wrestler Wakanohana Kanji I. He was nicknamed "Devil of the dohyo" due to his excellent fighting spirit and endurance.
Wakanohana: The Story of the Devil of the Dohyō
1956
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Zoku Shurajō Hibun: Hiryū no Maki
1952
Japanese "kayo" film centered around the song "Wakai omawari-san" by Shiro Sone.
Kingorô no omawari-san
1956
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Abare noshi
1952
10.0The film depicts how the work to build the Great Buddha overcame a number of obstacles as proponents and opponents clashed over the construction of the Buddha. This work is based on a play by Hideo Osada, which was performed by the Shin Kyodo Theater Company in 1940.
Dedication of the Great Buddha
1952
8.0In 1941, overpopulated Japan faces an economic boycott and its armed forces push further to the south. And despite negotiations between Japan and the U. S. A. war is declared with the attack on Pearl Harbour. Victories follow for Japan on land and sea and her forces push forward to the borders of India. But gradually the tide turns in favour of the Allies and after the atom bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan is compelled to accept the Potsdam Declaration and by the order of the Emperor agrees to unconditional surrender. Under the supervision of the occupation forces the International Military Tribunal opens in Tokyo to try the Japanese war leaders. Established in the cause of justice, and to prevent future aggressive wars the trials drag on for two and a half years. And on December 23, 1948, General Tojo and six other war leaders mount the thirteen steps to the gallows at Tokyo's Sugamo prison.
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
1959
8.0Okoyo, the mistress of Lord Arima, fears that she is being replaced by a younger woman named Otaki. In a fit of jealousy, she kills the younger girl. The dead woman's cat licks her blood and becomes a demon, seeking revenge on Okoyo
Ghost-Cat of Arima Palace
1953
Japanese drama film, originally released in two parts.
Family of Sorrow
1956
NRThis happened at a post station on the Shinshu road. Takizo Hoshigoe, a wanted man who has been missing since breaking through the Oto checkpoint, came to this post station longing for his hometown and stayed at Shinanoya. A farmer named Sakubei, who was struggling to pay his taxes, came to sell his daughter Omitsu.
Jushu karasu
1951
NRA Japanese drama featuring the one-eyed, one-armed swordsman
Sazen Tange: The Monkey Pot
1954
7.1A kabuki actress is murdered. Her pet cat laps its mistress's blood and becomes a demon possessed by the vengeful murder victim.
The Ghost Cat of Ouma Crossing
1954
Japanese comedy film.
Tōkaidō yajikita chin dōchū
1959
9.0The Lord of Okazaki is killed by his brother-in-law. Although the Lord's widow bears a child, she is also killed. Then, a ghost cat begins stalking in the castle.
Terrible Ghost Cat of Okazaki
1954
10.0For the poor, Edo is Hell on Earth, starving under the rule of Tanuma Okitsugi, corrupt councilor to the shogun. But the courageous vagabond called “Kageboshi” (Shadow Avenger), will fight for the common folk, robbing the rich so the people will have rice. Tanuma’s henchmen will hire an evil swordsman to pose as Kageboshi, starting a wave of murder, kidnapping and robbery, searching for two antique sword-guards that will reveal the hiding place of a fortune in buried gold. But who will claim the gold? The poor of Edo, or the conniving Tanuma? Only Kageboshi’s flashing sword, tearing through Tanuma’s bloodthirsty minions, can forestall his wicked schemes.
Kagebôshi: The Shadow Avenger
1959
NRIn the first group of Yoshitake Ichi and Taketatsu Sada Preparatory Training, the team leader was Sou Adachi, a veteran warrior with strict training. Yoshitake's father was called, and his mother lived in the house where he used to work, but Midori, a female student at that house, secretly loved Yoshitake.
Vanished Glory
1955
1940s · 8 titles
7.1Utamaro, a great artist, lives to create portraits of beautiful women, and the Tokyo brothels provide his models. A world of passion swirls around him, as the women vie for lovers, and, occasionally, his art gets him into trouble.
Utamaro and His Five Women
1946
No synopsis available yet.
Onna goroshi abura jigoku
1949
NRSet against the backdrop of the Great Fire of Edo, this story depicts the conflict between the town fire brigades and the daimyo’s fire brigades.
Guren bosatsu
1949
NRDriven by a murderous intent, he pursues the palanquin carrying the renowned onnagata Kikunosuke, who has taken the place of the princess destined to marry the lord of the Okazaki domain.
Hebi hime dōchū
1949
NR1948 Japanese movie
Yūkyō no mure
1948
NRA tale of love and tears that blossomed in the shadow of the Seinan War.
Kodachi o tsukau onna
1944
A popular work depicting Osen Taruya, with the theme of romantic liberation.
Five Women Who Loved Love
1948
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Tengu of Kiso
1948
1930s · 2 titles
NRThis 1932 adaptation is the earliest sound version of the ever-popular and much-filmed Chushingura story of the loyal 47 retainers who avenged their feudal lord after he was obliged to commit hara-kiri due to the machinations of a villainous courtier. As the first sound version of the classic narrative, the film was something of an event, and employed a stellar cast, who give a roster of memorable performances. Director Teinosuke Kinugasa was primarily a specialist in jidai-geki (period films), such as the internationally celebrated Gate of Hell (Jigokumon, 1953), and although he is now most famous as the maker of the avant-garde silent films A Page of Madness (Kurutta ichipeji, 1926) and Crossroads (Jujiro, 1928), Chushingura is in fact more typical of his output than those experimental works. The film ranked third in that year’s Kinema Junpo critics’ poll, and Joseph Anderson and Donald Richie noted that 'not only the sound but the quick cutting was admired by many critics.
The Loyal 47 Ronin
1932
No synopsis available yet.
Rikugun Daikoshin
1932
