
Acting
Kanji Koshiba
Born
1916-01-12 (110)
Place of birth
Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan
Known for
Acting
Credits
60 titles
Known for
8.1In 11th-century feudal Japan, following the exile of an idealistic governor, his wife and children are separated by slave traders; the children, Zushio and Anju, are sold into brutal servitude under the cruel bailiff Sansho.
Sansho the Bailiff
1954
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
7.6Fleeing a distressing family situation, Eiko, a very young girl, becomes an apprentice to Miyoharu, a veteran geisha. Both, determined to preserve their professional integrity, must face the selfishness and ambition of several petty people.
A Geisha
1953
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Fūraibō ichiban shōbu
1958
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Shachō hisho
1953
A film adaptation of Nobuko Yoshiya’s popular novel.
Tsuma mo koisu
1950
Film credits
1960s · 8 titles
7.0Megastar Kataoka Chiezo is Vice-commander Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi in this realistic tale of Japan’s inner battles that led to the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate. Excellent performances and extremely good swordplay highlight this glimpse into the heart and soul of Japanese history. Although known as “Razor Blade” Hijikata, the vice-commander is a man of deep conviction with a little-known sense of humanity. Starting after the famed Ikedaya Incident, in which they saved Kyoto from Choshu’s plot to burn the city to ashes, they work hard to change the public’s view of them as merciless killers to their true mission of protecting the shogun. This is an extraordinary tale of blood and guts! From the pen of award winning author Shotaro Ikenami (Bandit Vs. Samurai, Hunter in the Dark, Misumi's The Last Samurai)
Restoration Fire
1961
6.0While on the road, famed Yakuza Boss Jirocho is falsely accused of starting a peasant's uprising and chased by the law. Meanwhile, one of his henchmen in an attempt to raise money for the Boss gambles away not only all their funds, but their clothing as well. Jirocho, famed for his honesty and integrity must take on the challenge of rival gangs while trying to elude the government's officials at the same time. Things really heat up when the most famous of all Yakuza Bosses, Chuji of Kunisada gets involved. Will he team up with his old friend or is gang warfare about to erupt?
Road of Chivalry
1960
1716, Yoshimune becomes the 8th Shogun as high Shogunate officials are attacked. While the government tries to keep these incidents under wraps, they must take any means possible to get to the bottom of this mystery and find out who is behind them.
Samurai Hawk
1961
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Ryuji, the Gun Slinger
1960
10.0A biographical movie about Shinran
Shinran
1960
Namie's in trouble again, getting snatched by an evil gang in search of treasure. Kirimaru sets out to rescue his sweetheart, and falls in with a band of pirates who are also hunting the hidden stash.
The South Sea Wolf
1961
10.0The story of two young men whose ambition is to become the personal bodyguards to the Shogun's uncle, Lord Mito Komon. Portrayed by a pair of up and coming stars, Sasaki Sukesaburo (Matsukata), the son of a widower and Atsumi Kakunoshin (Kitaoji), whose mother is a widow find themselves constantly in trouble and are forced to become two of the most powerful fighters in all Japan. The stories about Mito Komon and his travels througout Japan are many, but this is one that had yet to be told. The struggles of Suke-san and Kaku-san faced in order to join the Elder in his quest to fight against injustice and corruption during the samurai era.
Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku
1961
9.0With plenty of action, and a strong story about the growth and development of an expert swordsman, who just happens to be from an extremely privileged background.
20 Duels of Young Shingo, Part 1
1961
1950s · 38 titles
8.1In 11th-century feudal Japan, following the exile of an idealistic governor, his wife and children are separated by slave traders; the children, Zushio and Anju, are sold into brutal servitude under the cruel bailiff Sansho.
Sansho the Bailiff
1954
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
7.6Fleeing a distressing family situation, Eiko, a very young girl, becomes an apprentice to Miyoharu, a veteran geisha. Both, determined to preserve their professional integrity, must face the selfishness and ambition of several petty people.
A Geisha
1953
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Fūraibō ichiban shōbu
1958
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Shachō hisho
1953
A film adaptation of Nobuko Yoshiya’s popular novel.
Tsuma mo koisu
1950
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Karakuri yashiki
1953
NRA young judoka investigates the mysterious death of his best friend.
Kuro obi arashi
1953
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Zoku suna-e jubaku: Yukijorō
1953
7.0Newly graduated Miyamoto Otone is to inherit a fortune from a distant relative on the condition that she marries Takato Shunsaku, a man she has never heard of. The lawyers haven't located Shunsaku yet, allowing Otone to think about whether she accepts the conditions of the will. One month later after, Takato Shunsaku is found. Murdered. At the birthday party of Otone's uncle. With Shunsaku dead and thus making it impossible for Otone to marry him, the inheritence is to split amongst all (living) family members. And yes, as always, that means that the potential successors get killed off one by one. But Kosuke Kindaichi is on the trail...
Three-Headed Tower
1956
NRA series of murders surrounds the 70,000 ryō in buried treasure hidden by the Kanayama Magistrate.
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Kiniro no ōkami
1953
NRA mysterious Komusō monk suddenly appears to stand up to the yakuza who are tormenting innocent townspeople.
Komusō yashiki
1950
No synopsis available yet.
Kettō gofun mae
1953
7.0From the pen of Yoshikawa Eiji comes this exciting story. The Naruto Strait separates Tokushima from the islands of Awaji and Honshu. On Tokushima the mad lord dreams of conquest and forges a bloody revolt against the Tokugawa shogunate. A mysterious swordsman named Noriyuki Gennojo has crossed Naruto’s waters to uncover the Awa clan’s secrets. He puts his life on the line after finding a testament of Awa’s secrets, written in blood by a dying man. Joining Noriyuki are a female ninja who loves him, and the beautiful daughter of an enemy who’s sworn to kill him. Awa’s defenders willl stop at nothing to prevent the blood-soaked letter from reaching the shogun.
Secret of Naruto
1957
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Haha ningyō
1951
NRThe story of a young police officer who risks his career to save the soul of a woman who curses societal evils and chooses the path of self-destruction.
Tenraku no shishū
1950
8.2After settling the matter of shogunal succession, the retired Old Lord of Mito finds himself in a sea of trouble when he gets involved in the succession of the Takamatsu clan. The usurpers try by every means to effect their takeover, even if it leads to blood being spilled. Along with Kaku and Suke, the elder must face the most dangerous time of his life, in a battle against those corrupt individuals who would use any means to further their dastardly conspiracy, regardless of how many lives might be destroyed. The great Misora Hibari gives a bravura performance, as does the rest of this all-star cast. This is another outstanding effort on the part of the Toei Films, blending fact and fiction to bright back Japan’s golden era of the Genroku period.
Lord Mito 2: The Nation's Vice Shogun
1959
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Zoku Shurajō Hibun: Hiryū no Maki
1952
No synopsis available yet.
Suna-e jubaku
1953
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Tsuki no shussen
1950
8.0A young samurai learns that he is the illegitimate son of the Shogun. Hoping to reunite with his birth father, he travels to Edo to find Shogun Yoshimune.
Shingo's Original Challenge, Part 1 and 2
1959
NRA murder case tied to a missing love letter… Heiji heads west along the Tōkaidō in pursuit of thirteen suspicious individuals.
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Koibumi dōchū
1951
NRIn a desperate crisis, Inamaru is plunged into the dark sea by a strike from Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ryutaro desperately tries to rescue Inamaru. However, it's not just Ieyasu who aims for him and the precious treasure of the Unshaken Banner. Various individuals, good and evil alike, are aiming for the foothills of Mount Fuji where the hidden treasure lies.
神州天馬侠 完結篇
1958
No synopsis available yet.
Zenigata Heiji
1951
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kurohyō
1953
NRRevenge breeds revenge. Ikuta Denpachiro, the martial arts instructor of the Honda family in Koriyama, lost a fight to the young samurai Enjo Sozaemon in a martial arts tournament and as a result lost his position and was expelled from home. Wanting to avenge the mockery of himself, he treacherously kills Sozaemon and goes on the run. After long wanderings, Denpachiro, it would seem, finds a peaceful life and love in the face of a devoted and courageous Okatsu, but the brothers of the murdered man are already on his trail, wanting to avenge the death of Sozaemon. The film is based on a story by Itaro Yamagami.
Temple of Revenge
1957
NRWhen a theater producer Kurato is murdered in the audience on opening night, Inspector Kawano investigates the prop pistols used on stage, but all were fake. That same night, a dancer in the troupe went missing and a police officer was shot with the same caliber gun. Kawano suspects they are all related to a gun smuggling case.
A Spectacular Murder
1951
A tale of melancholy centered on a couple of engineers at a power plant in the north and a pure romance with a female engineer.
Avalanche
1952
5.4This most celebrated all-star movie version of the popular series features Tsukigata Ryunosuke as Mito Komon, the sage who wanders the countryside rectifying government corruption along with his faithful attendants Suke and Kaku.
Lord Mito
1957
7.0Kondo Isami, the “Devil” commander of the Shinsengumi was one of Japan’s greatest national heroes and a peerless swordsman who devoted his life to protecting the shogun and fighting on the side of the Tokugawa. This tells the story of the Shinsengumi starting at the moment of their greatest triumph through the final battles as the Tokugawa shogunate was brought down.
Fall of the Shogun's Militia
1954
NRFive years after parting ways, two people who had once envisioned a life together met again: he was a yakuza out of work, and she was a woman of the night.
Oni azami
1950
6.0A man is brutally murdered and his famed shamisen (a three-stringed musical instrument) called the "Yamabiko" stolen. Prince Kogenta swears to avenge his father-in-law's death and retrieve the family heirloom.
Echo in the Mountains
1959
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
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Shinshu Tenmakyo
1958
NRSixth film in the ‘Travels of Lord Mito’ franchise.
Travels of Lord Mito: The Demon of Kagyuzaka
1955
8.0Tale of tragic love between samurai and princess during Heian period.
A Warrior's Flute
1955
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Jigoku no mon
1952
7.0During the war a man is bitten by a creature which looks like a cross between a bear and an ape in the jungle. Later he starts to transform to a monster like creature who kills with his claw like fingers.
Claws of Iron
1951
1940s · 14 titles
NRIt was a sanatorium in the highlands. Patients such as Totsuka, Hirota, and Hashida were battling their illnesses under the devoted care of Michiko, a nurse so beautiful and noble that she was nicknamed “The Messenger from the Moon.” When Totsuka learned that Hirota, who was about to be discharged, secretly loved Michiko, he devised a plan and arranged for them to spend some time alone in a birch grove. Hirota and Michiko made a firm vow for their future, but around that time, an unexpected visitor arrived at Hirota’s hospital room.
Messenger from the Moon
1949
No synopsis available yet.
Sabakareru aijō
1947
No synopsis available yet.
Tree of Life
1947
NRDepicting the International Disarmament Conference and the Japanese Navy’s Struggle.
Umi Yukaba
1943
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Love Shamisen
1946
No synopsis available yet.
Tebukuro o nugasu otoko
1946
6.5A scientist successfully creates an invisibility serum, only to be kidnapped by a gang of thugs who wish to use the formula to rob a priceless jewel.
The Invisible Man Appears
1949
NRThe first film produced by Daiei.
The March of the Restoration
1942
NRDepicting a family during wartime.
Wagaya no kaze
1943
NRRetired police inspector Kurusu is vacationing at a seaside hotel when one night he hears a child's screaming...but there are no children staying in the hotel. But when an ex-actress who is also a guest there mentions an unsolved murder that occurred on the spot over a year ago, Kurusu decides to investigate.
The Devil's toast
1947
No synopsis available yet.
Kenrantaru fukushū
1946
NRExpressing the distinct personalities of the three daughters.
Three Pearls
1949
NRHorror film directed by Kôzô Saeki.
Ghost Tower
1948
Directed by Daisuke Ito.
Kokusai Mitsuyudan
1944
