Hiromi Hanazono

Acting

Hiromi Hanazono

Born

1940-09-01 (86)

Place of birth

Tokyo, Japan

Known for

Acting

Credits

60 titles

Known for

The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence poster
5.7

The 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

53 Stages of the Road poster
NR

An Edo appointed official Baba must ensure the safe delivery of shogunate funds to Kyoto.

53 Stages of the Road

1959

Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute poster
5.5

Master swordsman and loyal 'Hatamoto' (direct vassal to the Shogun), Saotome Mondonosuke, is sent to investigate an intrigue centering on the Date Clan. The 300th film in the long and illustrious career of Ichikawa Utaemon, one of the most popular Japanese film stars of the period; it brought out an all-star cast as well.

Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute

1958

Magistrate Ooka’s Legends poster
NR

A hotshot investigator solves a series of gruesome murders in this exciting and dark classic.

Magistrate Ooka’s Legends

1958

Good Rascals poster
6.0

A group of men living a low life in Edo help each other to make the best out of their lives.

Good Rascals

1962

Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka poster
5.2

Chubei, the adopted son of an Osaka courier, falls desperately in love with the courtesan Umegawa. To prevent a wealthy client from purchasing her, he steals money from his employer to buy her freedom himself. Now hunted criminals, the lovers flee toward Yamato, pursued by the law.

Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka

1959

Film credits

1960s · 29 titles

The Shogun’s Guard: Valor in Turbulence poster
5.7

The 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

Good Rascals poster
6.0

A group of men living a low life in Edo help each other to make the best out of their lives.

Good Rascals

1962

Lord of Steel Heart poster
7.8

A Tokugawa Daimyo rebels against an his lord after the battle of Sekigahara. Samurai Matabei, a famous spear fighter and warrior, is a vassal of lord Honjo. One of Honjo's most trusted under-lords is Sanzaemon. He has designs on Matabei's fief, and he plots to kill Matabei. He finally convinces Lord Honjo of Matabei's guilt. Now Matabei must fight to survive.

Lord of Steel Heart

1961

Duel at Gokumon-zaka poster
NR

Sutematsu and Sukekichi, residents of Benten Nagaya tenement, witness a woman being thrown from a palanquin into a river and are immediately attacked by several samurai. They are saved by a fellow tenant, the ronin Ginzaburo Fujizaki. One of the assailants drops a wooden tag bearing the Onitsuta-bishi (demon ivy diamond) crest. The next morning, the woman’s body is found on the lumber dock. She is Omino, daughter of Omiya, a money exchanger in Nihonbashi.

Duel at Gokumon-zaka

1960

The Eve of the Chinese Festival poster
8.0

A kabuki actor is assassinated during a New Year celebration show, in front of everyone, fortunately the great detective Umon is among the audience. Along with his quirky assistant they set on the trail of revenge killing. Revenge for what? Who and where is the killer? And what does a treasure and swastika spider tattoos have to do with the case?

The Eve of the Chinese Festival

1962

Travel with Ghost poster
NR

Ghost comedy film.

Travel with Ghost

1961

Unwieldy Brothers poster
NR

Taisuke is kind-hearted but overall lacks ambition. Taizo is smarter, but given to fits of emotion and impulsive violence. The samurai brothers fight against corruption in a castle.

Unwieldy Brothers

1960

Road Warriors poster
6.0

A 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

An Eagle Eyed Lord poster
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

An Eagle Eyed Lord

1961

Benten Kozo poster
6.0

Orphaned Kiku was raised at a Buddhist temple and learned theatrical arts and martial arts as a child, which were used to put on stage productions to raise money for the temple, but also to display young lads who were essentially for sale to the highest bidder. When Kiku gets fed up with how the temple uses the orphans and wants to leave he gets accused of a double murder and has to flee for his life and liberty.

Benten Kozo

1960

The Ako Retainers poster
6.0

Toei’s 10th anniversary film, featuring an all-star cast from the golden movie era of the 1960s. A famous story of the 47 loyal samurai. When Lord Asano is unjustly executed, his loyal retainers strike back for revenge.

The Ako Retainers

1961

Yagyu Chronicles 3: The Valley of Outlaws poster
6.3

This time, sword-saint Yagyu Jubei battles the evil corruption in Akizuki Village, with the help of his friend, a samurai named Matashichiro. This spaghetti western style action swordplay film is exciting and dynamic from start to finish! One-eyed master of martial arts, Yagyu Jubei visits Akizuki Village and meets with his former teacher Akizuki Hayato-no-Kami. Jubei is shocked to see Hayato's sickly appearance. An evil gang has plotted to murder Hayato, but a deadly Yagyu blade will unleash a rain of blood and disperse the evil plot! The breathtaking climax in a huge ravine called Okamidani is the ultimiate pay-off. Jubei confronts several hundred riflemen and warriors in a bloody battle to the death.

Yagyu Chronicles 3: The Valley of Outlaws

1961

Case of a Young Lord 8 poster
9.0

A 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

No artwork available
6.2

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

The Master Spearman poster
6.0

Kurando is a retired samurai. Granted a last-second reprieve from the obligation to commit harakiri, he decides to settle down and marry one of the two kabuki actresses who helped him enjoy what he thought would be his final days.

The Master Spearman

1960

Glorious Firefighter’s Standard poster
NR

Firefighter Sanji learns the secret of his birth.

Glorious Firefighter’s Standard

1960

Yagyu Chronicles 1: Secret Scrolls poster
6.0

Two groups are after the legendary Yagyu Secret Scrolls. A princess of a disgraced clan and her loyal servant want it to clear their family's name. And a rival clan wants it to destroy the Yagyu family. Only master swordsman, Yagyu Jubei stands in their way. What is the secret that is hidden away in the scrolls?

Yagyu Chronicles 1: Secret Scrolls

1961

Law in Ghost Island poster
6.0

Upon his arrival to Dragon Island, ronin Yagi Hanzo, is propositioned by various shady individuals representing rival gangs to lend his services to them. Branded an enemy for his refusal to become involved with either side, he soon finds himself caught up in an intrigue extending beyond petty gang rivalries, involving a plot by Daimyo in Kyoto to overthrow the government.

Law in Ghost Island

1961

Bored Hatamoto: Island of No Return poster
NR

Part of the Bored Hatamoto series. The most popular samurai in Edo, Saotome Mondonosuke, known to most as the "Bored Hatamoto" is the only one who can save the shogunate from the dastardly plot to take over the country.

Bored Hatamoto: Island of No Return

1960

The Man Who Came to the Harbor Festival poster
NR

A traveling troupe arrives in a lively southern port town during the Tanabata festival, led by the mysterious swordsman Daigorō, whose incredible skill quickly makes him a local sensation. Beneath his fierce persona, however, he hides a tragic past: he is actually Hikōichi, a fisherman who lost his beloved Oyū to a cruel feudal lord years earlier. Reunited during the festival under the stars of Tanabata, the two lovers attempt to reclaim their happiness, but the lord’s jealousy and deception lead them toward a heartbreaking fate.

The Man Who Came to the Harbor Festival

1961

Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi Pass poster
8.0

Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi Pass

Bloody Account of Jirocho: Duel at Fujimi Pass

1960

Kirimaru Kirigakure poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Kirimaru Kirigakure

1961

No artwork available
5.6

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

Ghost of the 53 Stations poster
10.0

Kota and Kosuke, from the Hikyaku-ya shop in Edo, went to Kyoto. Contrary to their carefree appearance, they carry a secret letter concerning the Aoba clan from Kyoto. A samurai who calls himself Okuma Danemon joins them on their journey, and soon people begin to appear one after another, seeking to get a secret letter...

Ghost of the 53 Stations

1960

Sword of Destiny poster
6.0

When master swordsman Mikogami Genshiro of the Ono fencing school returns to find that his ailing sensei has been murdered in the dead of night, he must find the culprit and exact revenge. His return sets off a series of violent incidents and incites a high ranked female skilled in sword to test his mettle after he unwittingly offends her. The ever delightful Misora Hibari co-stars with the great Tsuruta Koji in this exciting tale set in the earliest days of the Tokugawa shogunate. Lots of exciting swordfights highlight this entertaining motion picture!

Sword of Destiny

1960

Shingo's Original Challenge, Part 4 poster
NR

Aoi Shingo, a son of the Shogun, continues his travels seeking to further his mastery of the sword. In this final episode of the popular “Shingo’s Original Challenge” series, Shingo confronts his master’s killer in the ultimate test of his skill.

Shingo's Original Challenge, Part 4

1960

Yagyu Chronicles 2: The Secret Sword poster
6.0

This is the second film in the popular black and white series about the master swordsman, Yagyu Jubei. When the Yagyu clan falls victim to rival Kasumi spies, Yagyu Jubei is called to action to protect them. But in performing his duty, he becomes the target of those who wish to destroy his clan.

Yagyu Chronicles 2: The Secret Sword

1961

Ninjutsu tsukai to sannin musume: onna kitsune henka poster
NR

1961 Japanese movie

Ninjutsu tsukai to sannin musume: onna kitsune henka

1961

Ninjutsu-tsukai to sennin masume poster
10.0

A two-part series of ninjutsu films directed by Masahiko Izawa, director of Yagyu Bugeichou (1961), based on an original scenario by Yasuo Yokoyama.

Ninjutsu-tsukai to sennin masume

1961

1950s · 28 titles

53 Stages of the Road poster
NR

An Edo appointed official Baba must ensure the safe delivery of shogunate funds to Kyoto.

53 Stages of the Road

1959

Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute poster
5.5

Master swordsman and loyal 'Hatamoto' (direct vassal to the Shogun), Saotome Mondonosuke, is sent to investigate an intrigue centering on the Date Clan. The 300th film in the long and illustrious career of Ichikawa Utaemon, one of the most popular Japanese film stars of the period; it brought out an all-star cast as well.

Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute

1958

Magistrate Ooka’s Legends poster
NR

A hotshot investigator solves a series of gruesome murders in this exciting and dark classic.

Magistrate Ooka’s Legends

1958

Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka poster
5.2

Chubei, the adopted son of an Osaka courier, falls desperately in love with the courtesan Umegawa. To prevent a wealthy client from purchasing her, he steals money from his employer to buy her freedom himself. Now hunted criminals, the lovers flee toward Yamato, pursued by the law.

Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka

1959

The Black Hooded Man Rides Again poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

The Black Hooded Man Rides Again

1959

The Black Hooded Man 5 poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

The Black Hooded Man 5

1958

Case of Umon: One-Eyed Wolf poster
6.3

Five swordsmen are murdered and hung from a tree and the chase is on to find the killers. Two magistrates pursue the leads to solve the crime and it leads to a potential conspiracy to kill the Shogun.

Case of Umon: One-Eyed Wolf

1959

Shingo's Original Challenge, Part 1 and 2 poster
8.0

A 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

Three for The Road poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Three for The Road

1958

Turbulent Highways poster
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

Turbulent Highways

1959

幕末美少年録 會津の決死隊 poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

幕末美少年録 會津の決死隊

1959

Case of a Young Lord 7: Red Crane House poster
9.0

All is not well in an a small fishing village not far from Edo. Mysterious goings-on are happening at Echigoya’s Red Crane Mansion, and when Young Lord comes to relax he finds no peace until he can unravel the mystery rooted in the past when a beautiful samurai princess prayed for a handsome bridegroom to take her away. When a body turns up on the riverbank it is high time for Young Lord to delve into the case, while avoiding dangerous gangsters who have taken over the town. This is the 7th case that Young Lord is called upon to solve. Leaving only the mystery of who he is and where he came from! As always, Okawa Hashizo plays the role to perfection.

Case of a Young Lord 7: Red Crane House

1958

No artwork available
8.0

In the midst of the warring age, a young samurai Kyonosuke defies his former lord Hojo Ujikatsu in order to avenge his parents’ deaths.

The Sword Knows

1958

A Young Rabble poster
5.0

When an altercation with a gangster forces Kikutaro to leave Edo, he is sent by his father to Hamamatsu to find a better direction in life. However, trouble seems to follow Kikutaro on the road leading him eventually to come face to face with his rival, Gonkuro.

A Young Rabble

1959

A Spectacular Showdown poster
6.3

One of the great stories from Japan’s rich history comes to life in this true tale of the bloody showdown between two rival yakuza gangs in the 1840’s. The battle between Boss Sukegoro of Iioka and Boss Shigezo of Sasagawa has been portrayed many times, most notably in the first Zatoichi film, where the blind man befriends the tubercular ronin Hirate Miki, before cutting him down in one of the great duels in cinema history. This all-star extravaganza pulls out all the stops, with appearances by virtually all of the great actors and actresses from Toei’s studio at the time. Ichikawa Utaemon’s portrayal of the kind-hearted, noble yakuza boss Shigezo of Sasagawa contrasts sharply with the devious Sukegoro of Iioka. Corrupt as he may have been, his men were all willing to give up their lives for him.

A Spectacular Showdown

1959

The Edo Official and Apprentice poster
6.0

It's an extravaganza of entertainment as famous magistrate in disguise, Toyama no Kinshiro attempts to confront the elusive thief known as the "Long-Sleeve Burglar". Played to the hilt by Misora Hibari in a delightful performance highlighted by singing, dancing, and swordplay with a unique story within a story twist that starts to unfold in the city jail as a playwright is brought into custody and meets the famed Long-Sleeve Burglar himself. Misora Hibari is totally captivating in this gender bending role as the famed thief whose expoits can only be stopped by the great Kin-san himself!

The Edo Official and Apprentice

1959

Seven from Edo poster
5.0

When Katsukawa, a low ranking vassal, learns that his greedy superior, Tatewaki, has hatched a plan to expand his territory, he and his comrades decide to take matters into their own hands. Lots of action in this all-star production from Toei Films, the foremost studio during that era. As with so many of their films, this is highly entertaining, with lots of plot twists and exciting swordplay

Seven from Edo

1958

Eight Brave Brothers poster
5.5

One day, Yoshimi Satomi, the castle owner of Takita Castle in the country of Anbo, and his confidant Daisuke Kinba, on the way to hunt wild boars, felt sorry for a small dog that was about to be swallowed by a giant snake like a giant tree, and killed the serpent in a fierce battle and saved the puppy. Yoshimi decided to keep the puppy, naming it Hachibo. Now the Serpent Demon is determined to destroy Takita Castle, while Hachibo defends it with his life. His spirit is split into eight, and eight brave warriors must unite to defeat the demoness snake.

Eight Brave Brothers

1959

Blooded Spear poster
7.5

Edo, 1703. Young Sugino, one of the 47 rōnin seeking revenge against lord Kira, who caused that his master, Asano of Ako, committed seppuku, meets a skillful spear fighter, Genban, who trains him to fight with honor on the day of retribution.

Blooded Spear

1959

Kanbei's Bargain Sale poster
7.0

Wandering swordsman Kanbei, parading through town with a sign that reads "Seeking fights, selling my life cheap." One day, he receives a request from the star of the daughter's kabuki, Nakamura Tsurukichi. However, unable to bear seeing a face reminiscent of his first love, he disappears as soon as the task is completed. But later, Tsurukichi returns to ask Kanbei for help once again...

Kanbei's Bargain Sale

1958

The Lost Public Funds poster
10.0

Four thousand gold coins were stolen from the vault of Nijo Castle in Kyoto, which were collected as a tax to the shogun. The guard of Nijo castle Asaka Keinosuke, disguised as a komuso monk, proceeds to investigate the theft, traces of thieves lead to Edo, where Asaka goes.

The Lost Public Funds

1958

No artwork available
5.0

A story of revenge between two samurai families on the Igagoe Road. Araki Mataemon born in the province of Iga. He studied the art of the sword under the Yagyu family. He helped the younger brother of his wife Watanabe Kazuma take revenge on his enemy Kawai Matagoro. Ichikawa Utaemon plays Araki Matemon and his son Kinya Kataoji plays Kazuma.

Bloody Battle at Dawn

1959

Eight Brave Brothers 2 poster
NR

2nd film in the Eight Brave Brothers trilogy

Eight Brave Brothers 2

1959

Kingdom of Youth poster
NR

An entertaining youth drama, which tells about the struggle of a young swordsman Yamanaka Shikanoske (Kinya Kitaoji) and his friends who resist the tyranny of the Mori clan in a war-torn country during the Sengoku period! The film starred teenage Toei company of that time.

Kingdom of Youth

1958

House of Spider Webs poster
NR

Based on the original story by Seishi Yokomizo, House of Spider Webs is a gorgeous historical drama thriller starring Kinnosuke Nakamura and directed by Tadashi Sawashima.

House of Spider Webs

1959

Eight Brave Brothers 3 poster
NR

The long-awaited Hakkenshi arrive at Takita Castle, which is saddened by successive defeats.

Eight Brave Brothers 3

1959

Detective Hibari: Secret of the Golden Coin poster
10.0

A princess finds life behind the protection of her brother and the high walls of the mansion to be quite dull, so she takes on another identity and lives in a small house in Edo pretending to be a singer but all the while she is actually a Shogunate Detective. Framed by a crooked magistrate for a crime she did not commit, Oshichi must clear her name of false charges after a woman helps to lead a prison break of the notorious Oshu Remnants. Meanwhile the magistrate, Lord Kai, conspires to be rid of her brother, Clan Elder, Lord Abe Iyo. Her only clue is an ornate dagger with a handle made of golden coins.

Detective Hibari: Secret of the Golden Coin

1958

Ghost Currency poster
NR

A drowned body with strangulation marks was found by a large river, while a man stained in vermilion collapsed at the “Hisago” liquor store. A dropped koban was identified as a fake by Nagatsugu Yingko. The dead man, Minokichi, was a Kazari craftsman exploited by a man named Denzo, who was also later found dead. Ten other Kazari craftsmen were reported missing. Choji, investigating the scene, witnessed one gang member kill another to silence him. Choji’s investigation leads him to Shinsuke Shinanoya, a lumber merchant with ties to the fake koban and whose daughter Choji had previously saved. Choji connects the koban to Sadoya, run by Ginbei, who disappears nightly. Keeping watch, Choji intercepts a message for Bun-ei, whom Seikichi, Sadoya’s keeper, summoned to Ryukokuji Temple. Disguised as Bun-ei, Choji enters a forgery foundry, confronting Ginbei. With fireworks timed like lightning, Choji seizes and binds the gang, foiling their plans.

Ghost Currency

1959