
Acting
Meichō Soganoya
Born — Died
1908-06-03 — 1999-04-13
Place of birth
Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Known for
Acting
Credits
55 titles
Known for
8.0Monjiro was born into a poor farm family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta County, Ueshu, and abandoned his hometown when he was 10 years old. He has been traveling aimlessly with a long toothpick in his mouth. Monjiro avoided getting involved in anything, but wherever he went, he ended up getting involved in incidents
Kogarashi Monjiro
1972
5.6Yokiro was the most successful Geisha house in Western Japan during the first half of the 20th century and remains open to this day. At its peak, it was home to over 200 geisha, however behind the fabulous facade, there were many battles - between family members, men and women, and with the Yakuza. Momokawa was sold to Yokiro at age 12, and despite being the top geisha, her many complicated relationships provide unending challenges throughout her glamorous but turbulent life.
The Geisha
1983
7.0After losing all his money, Kizuka Keita, a seller on the black market, is trying to commit suicide. But he is saved by Morigen, a broker on the azuki beans market. A young man tries to regain his wealth in the bean market.
Red Diamond
1964
NRIn Settsu Province, young women related to castle steward Tanaka Shūzen are being killed, each with fang-like bite marks on their chests. The priest Chinen suspects a vengeful plot. The next targets could be Shūzen’s daughter Myō or her fiancé Iori’s sister, Matsue. Despite Iori’s vigilance, Matsue is attacked by her koto teacher, Yamamura Kengyō, and his daughter Kaede—who are revealed to be vengeful vampires.
Japanese Ghost Story Masterpiece Theater: The Purple Kengyō Vampire
1979
8.0A former soldier is caught working the black market and sent to prison while his partner escapes and goes on to become a gangster, but their paths cross again as they both fall in love with the same woman.
Eighteen Years in Prison
1967
7.1In Osaka during the Edo period, ruler Sanada Yukimura was in losing position, fearing Toyotomi's blood descendents would end, he impregnates one of five Shinano female ninja with the seed of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in hopes of continuing the bloodline. Princess Sen and the five female ninja escape from Osaka castle by blending in with the handmaidens. Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu who was supposed to rule all under the heavens was informed of this secret. So Ieyasu orders five samurai of the Iga Ninja clan (brought by Hattori Hanzo) to stop the Toyotomi bloodline by killing the Kunoichi ninja. An attack of ninja magic arts unfolds in a battle of the sexes.
Female Ninja Magic
1964
Film credits
1980s · 2 titles
5.6Yokiro was the most successful Geisha house in Western Japan during the first half of the 20th century and remains open to this day. At its peak, it was home to over 200 geisha, however behind the fabulous facade, there were many battles - between family members, men and women, and with the Yakuza. Momokawa was sold to Yokiro at age 12, and despite being the top geisha, her many complicated relationships provide unending challenges throughout her glamorous but turbulent life.
The Geisha
1983
10.0No synopsis available yet.
Make-Up
1984
1970s · 15 titles
NRIn Settsu Province, young women related to castle steward Tanaka Shūzen are being killed, each with fang-like bite marks on their chests. The priest Chinen suspects a vengeful plot. The next targets could be Shūzen’s daughter Myō or her fiancé Iori’s sister, Matsue. Despite Iori’s vigilance, Matsue is attacked by her koto teacher, Yamamura Kengyō, and his daughter Kaede—who are revealed to be vengeful vampires.
Japanese Ghost Story Masterpiece Theater: The Purple Kengyō Vampire
1979
6.2Young geisha Koshizu's wish of reuniting with the man, Yukichi, who helped her ten years ago comes true. When she learns of the trouble Yukichi's business is facing, she stands ready to come to his aid, and thus repay a debt that's long overdue.
A Lively Geisha
1970
6.0Political fixer Homei Yamaoka's misdeeds come to light, throwing Japanese politics into deadly confusion. But he's not going down without a fight.
The Fixer
1979
7.7Tai Kato’s early 20th century set yakuza epic about an ordinary merchant girl (Hiroko Maki) who crosses paths with an assassin (Tetsuya Watari). The encounter sends her to jail as a suspected accomplice. Years later she marries a yakuza boss, whose gang is affiliated with working class people.
The Blossom and the Sword
1973
6.2Sayoko is desperate to bear a child of her own, but her live-in boyfriend Shinsaku strenuously objects to the idea. One day, someone leaves behind a six-year-old child at their door, claiming that Shinsaku—or four other men—is the child's father! Sayoko and Shinsaku set out on a journey to find the real father.
Heaven Sent
1979
NRThe third film in the Kanto Street Peddlers series. Sugawara still plays the same Kanto street peddler, who this time ventures to Osaka where he defends a blind girl at a street market. The area is targeted by rotten yakuza (Asao Koike and Tatsuo Endo), who have lured local senior female boss (Nijiko Kiyokawa’s) rebellious but not entirely indecent son Goro Ibuki to their side.
Kanto Street Peddlers: Royal Temple Duel
1970
7.4Oichi the Blind helps a woman escape the clutches of a high government official to go off with the man she loves. The official puts a reward on her head of fifty gold pieces and soon a menagerie of bounty hunters are after her skin. Three of them band together to accomplish this, one an expert swordsman, another a huge judo master and the third is deadly with a chain. To escape, she heads for the fishing town of Itso but soon comes face to face with Sankuro, the swordsman...
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
1970
7.0Depicts various relationships between four beautiful sisters, their husbands, and their second daughter's husband's mistress.
Between Women and Wives
1976
7.7Ryotatsu, the wayward Priest blinded by Shinkai, the Wicked Priest, has his own story in this ultra-violent tale from the era of the Meiji Reconstruction. When a woman leaves her blind son at the Monastery, Ryotatsu is forced to teach the boy how to cope as a blind person in old Japan. When he takes the child with him on the road to find the boy's mother, they run afoul of not only yakuza gangsters, but some corrupt army officers have been trying to sway public opinion against the Satsuma rebels by posing as members of Saigo Takamori's group. It's a bloody mistake for them to underestimate the strength of the Blind Priest, and he'll make them pay with their lives!
Whipmaster: Ballad of Murder
1970
7.5The story of Sanshiro Sugata, a young man who wants to learn the new art of judo. A wise teacher reveals to Sanshiro that judo is not merely a means of combat nor a demonstration of physical skill, but an art which reveals the artist to himself. This is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's films "Sanshiro Sugata" and "Sanshiro Sugata Part II"
Dawn of Judo
1970
8.5Business is a game! A theatrical version of the TV drama that became a social phenomenon starring Teruhiko Saigo. Set in a wholesaler town in Osaka, it depicts the activities of the main character Takezo Yamashita who repels adversity with a man's stubbornness and guts.
Doterai Man
1975
A young woman, an experienced gambler, enters a nunnery to atone for some of her father's crimes. When the nunnery runs into debt, she resorts to gambling and challenges the racketeer threatening to sell the place to a game.
The Gambling Nun
1971
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kigeki: Ohi Kaenasutte!
1970
7.0No synopsis available yet.
Nani ga nandemo Tamegorō
1970
9.0Based on the comic by George Akiyama
Zenigeba
1970
1960s · 34 titles
7.0After losing all his money, Kizuka Keita, a seller on the black market, is trying to commit suicide. But he is saved by Morigen, a broker on the azuki beans market. A young man tries to regain his wealth in the bean market.
Red Diamond
1964
8.0A former soldier is caught working the black market and sent to prison while his partner escapes and goes on to become a gangster, but their paths cross again as they both fall in love with the same woman.
Eighteen Years in Prison
1967
7.1In Osaka during the Edo period, ruler Sanada Yukimura was in losing position, fearing Toyotomi's blood descendents would end, he impregnates one of five Shinano female ninja with the seed of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in hopes of continuing the bloodline. Princess Sen and the five female ninja escape from Osaka castle by blending in with the handmaidens. Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu who was supposed to rule all under the heavens was informed of this secret. So Ieyasu orders five samurai of the Iga Ninja clan (brought by Hattori Hanzo) to stop the Toyotomi bloodline by killing the Kunoichi ninja. An attack of ninja magic arts unfolds in a battle of the sexes.
Female Ninja Magic
1964
NRA good set-in-per-WW2 ninkyô type film with outstanding performances.
Hoodlum Match
1965
NR1967 Nikkatsu film.
The Debt of Blood
1967
NRA Toho film featuring the comedy duo Konto 55, (コント55号), comprised of comedians Kinichi Hagimoto and Jiro Sakagami.
Konto 55: Grandson of a Ninja
1969
7.0Teruo Ishii portrays the bitter conflict over the right to develop land in a gripping and humorous way. Nakagami, the head of the Kanto Joseikai, is ordered to acquire the rights to work to level the reclaimed land and prevent the Doshikai from expanding from Kansai into Tokyo, but the interference of the Koda-gumi, associated with the Kansai Doshikai, intensifies. Nakagami's younger brother Hayami, unhappy that the situation is moving slowly, tries to blackmail the mayor into moving forward, but... A true Toei gangster film with an all-star cast including Koji Tsuruta and Ken Takakura!
The Boss
1965
8.0When hopeful Olympic triple-jump competitor injures both his Achilles tendons, he discovers an old manuscript about self-confidence to join the best company in Japan try to triple-jump his way to the top and marry the company model (Mie Hama) in the bargain. The second installment in the "Japan's No. 1" film series.
Japan's No. 1 Braggart
1964
5.5Erotic Pinku film showcasing he life of Buddhist nuns during the Edo Period.
Nunnery Confidential
1968
7.0Based on the novel by Naoki Prize-nominated author Taro Takeshita, a thriller full of black humor. A jealous husband murders his adulterous wife, then embarks on a crusade to extort all the wealthy men whom she had affairs with.
The Glamorous Ghost
1964
6.3Kogure, an industrial spy, is tasked by Sawada, head of the research department of the Nisshin Corporation, to learn the secrets of the design of a new engine invented by a rival company. Kogure manages to obtain the secrets, but Sawada's goal was not the secrets themselves, but to use them to obtain the position of president of the company. Angered by Sawada's dirty tricks, Kigure begins to take revenge.
Industrial Spy
1968
NRBased on a novel by Kôen Hasegawa
True Osaka Grit
1965
NRA country boss gives up his way of life because of his daughter's marriage.
A Country Boss
1962
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Western King, Eastern Leader
1964
5.9When the Shogun Tokugawa III is in bed with a girl, she turns into a monster. The court believes she is Ninja Magic, used to frighten the lord off women so that there will be no heir. Tôma, a famous swordsman, is called in and exposes the Ninja, even discovering their leader, a beautiful young girl named Kagiroi. Guessing that she is the daughter of some ousted daimyo anxious to get back into favor, he is about to unmask her when he is taken prisoner...
Ninja's Mark
1968
10.0No synopsis available yet.
Adventures of Princess Anmitsu
1960
NRAfter Aoi Shingo, the illegitimate son of Shogun Yoshimune has gained prominence as the finest swordsman in the land, he tries to lead a peaceful life with his mother far away from the seat of government in Edo. Not wanting to inconvenience his father anymore his plan is to stay away from the city and enjoy life like a normal man. Unfortunately for him, his past comes back to haunt him in the person of his mortal enemy, the one swordsman that is skillful enough to defeat him. This is the most perilous moment of Shingo's life as he must face his deadliest foe in a battle to the death!
Shingo's Final Duel
1964
7.5Eternal young guy, Yuzo Kayama stars in this fifth installment of the Young Guy series. Young Guy returns to the swim team from the first movie, boards his rival Blue Guy's boat, and meets a young woman on a small island.
Young Guy at Sea
1965
10.0A group of one-hit wonder scam artists led by the troubled "Kanpai," dealing with impotence, embark on a lively and poignant societal comedy. They overturn the distorted trends and authorities of modern society through peculiar methods such as taking over temples and creating fake emerging religions.
Gokudô Petenshi
1969
7.2Tokyo, 1934. The boss of the clan that controls gambling agonizes and some of his followers propose to Nakai to take his place, but he refuses the offer.
Big Time Gambling Boss
1968
7.5Richshaw 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 dynamic personality, he volunteers to become a go-between for their marriage. Yasaburo gets tipped off by Yajima who wants to take over the territory of the Nishikawa Gang, and is arrested and imprisoned. After his release, Yajima tries to kill him. Ginjiro, a lover of Tamaryu respects Kimiyakko as an older sister and a follower of Tatsu, is murdered. After the third marriage ceremony just between Tatsu and Kimiyakko, Tatsu goes off to the place of fighting.
Fighting Tatsu, the Rickshaw Man
1964
9.0A new stationmaster is appointed to a dilapidated local line. On top of the failing local line feuding for hot spring customers with a bus company looking to start a new route, they even get involved in a disappearance and a murder...
Everybody, Let's Go!
1967
8.0A comedy directed by Yasuzo Masumura starring Yunosuke Ito.
Fools at Work
1964
NRThe film takes place in a dark area of the giant city of Osaka and tells about a group of people who find themselves at the bottom of society, and about the courage of a man who defies the city of violence in search of his beloved sister.
Osaka Tough
1961
NRA man who was released from prison wanders around the Kanto region and gets involved with the local yakuza.
The Kanto Region Is Also Expanding
1967
NRDrunken samurai Saito Magobei lives a reckless and irresponsible life. He’s not the man to volunteer for thrilling adventures. But when Magobei and Kurita Heishichiro meet two frightened women escorting Kotaro, child heir to the perishing Azama Clan, they feel honor bound to protect them from clan traitors and their ninja henchmen. With ruthless ninja dogging every step, Magobei will have to find his courage, restore his pride, and wager his life on his lightning sword and his karate skills in a bloody battle to save the young lord. Immerse yourself in this exhilarating adventure of samurai versus ninja, brought to life by an extraordinary cast. Seize the moment and don't miss it!
Ninja Killers
1964
NRThe film depicts the fate of a young yakuza boss and his father, who confront each other, not knowing that they are relatives, and become victims of a brutal war for territory between the clans according to the merciless laws of the yakuza.
Three Generations of Yakuza
1966
NR1968 Japanese movie
Mappira shain yūkyōden
1968
9.01968 film
Kawachi's Futen Tribe
1968
NR1969 Japanese movie
猛烈社員 スリゴマ忍法
1969
NRKomichi (Chieko Baisho), a maiko in Gion, reunites with her elementary school classmate Takao Segawa (Yukio Hashi) for the first time in eight years, and the two quickly grow close.
Maiko-han
1963
NRJapanese comedy film.
Kanbi no san-tō shain
1961
NR1967 Japanese movie
若社長レインボー作戦
1967
NR1969 Japanese movie
River Of Love
1969
1950s · 3 titles
9.0A young Japanese-American comes from California looking for a bride, going on blind dates with three candidates from Osaka, Hiroshima and Nagoya.
The Bride from Japan
1959
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Scops-Owl Sermon
1958
NRComedy historical film about a wandering warrior, based on the novel by Shin Hasegawa.
The Adventures of Kantaro
1959
