
Acting
Ryūko Azuma
Born
1917-01-10 (109)
Place of birth
Tokyo, Japan
Known for
Acting
Credits
60 titles
14-year Ryuko debuted in "Yoake" from Kawai Film Company. Two years later she made appearances in three films starred 27-year Ichikawa Tomonsuke who has distribution partnership with Kawai. In 11 years when Kawai Films became Daito Films and later Daiei, Ryuko appeared in 215 films. From 1955 to 1965 Ryuko Azuma and her husband Kusuo Abe work for Toei films.
Known for
7.3In the teeming black markets of postwar Japan, Shozo Hirono and his buddies find themselves in a new war between factious and ambitious yakuza.
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973
5.9After surviving the slaughter of many Christians 350 years ago, a samurai denounces God for ignoring the pleas of believers. He sells his soul to Satan and receives the power to resurrect the dead to join him in a murderous rampage.
Samurai Reincarnation
1981
5.5Terry Sugury is hired to recover one of two tapes containing a formula for making heroin for a price of 200 dollars a pound. But he gets double crossed. So he wants the tape back.
The Street Fighter's Last Revenge
1974
7.3Kogarashi Monjiro is a lone samurai who agrees to take responsibility for a murder that his friend committed so that he can stay with his dying mother, with the expectation that his friend will confess and get him pardoned once she dies. Monjiro is sentenced to an island for prisoners. When he discovers that his friend's mother has died over a year ago, Monjiro seeks to escape with a group of prisoners in order to get his revenge.
Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro
1972
6.5Takashi, a bank robber, dreams of his final heist and escaping to Brazil... but in his way, stands a woman that loves him, his dead partner's brother, a corrupt cop, a motorcycle gang and every police officer in the Kanto region.
Violent Panic: The Big Crash
1976
6.8The great Bunta stars as a gangster who is sent to jail for the sake of his gang, but when he’s released he finds everything completely changed and his gang has swept him aside for being too violent. He tries to start a new life with his two ”brothers” but can’t seem to escape old affiliations
Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers
1972
Film credits
1980s · 2 titles
5.9After surviving the slaughter of many Christians 350 years ago, a samurai denounces God for ignoring the pleas of believers. He sells his soul to Satan and receives the power to resurrect the dead to join him in a murderous rampage.
Samurai Reincarnation
1981
6.0During the Showa era, a young yakuza survives war and injury and rises to become a clan boss with the help and respect of his sworn brothers.
The Story of a Man Among Men
1984
1970s · 15 titles
7.3In the teeming black markets of postwar Japan, Shozo Hirono and his buddies find themselves in a new war between factious and ambitious yakuza.
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973
5.5Terry Sugury is hired to recover one of two tapes containing a formula for making heroin for a price of 200 dollars a pound. But he gets double crossed. So he wants the tape back.
The Street Fighter's Last Revenge
1974
7.3Kogarashi Monjiro is a lone samurai who agrees to take responsibility for a murder that his friend committed so that he can stay with his dying mother, with the expectation that his friend will confess and get him pardoned once she dies. Monjiro is sentenced to an island for prisoners. When he discovers that his friend's mother has died over a year ago, Monjiro seeks to escape with a group of prisoners in order to get his revenge.
Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro
1972
6.5Takashi, a bank robber, dreams of his final heist and escaping to Brazil... but in his way, stands a woman that loves him, his dead partner's brother, a corrupt cop, a motorcycle gang and every police officer in the Kanto region.
Violent Panic: The Big Crash
1976
6.8The great Bunta stars as a gangster who is sent to jail for the sake of his gang, but when he’s released he finds everything completely changed and his gang has swept him aside for being too violent. He tries to start a new life with his two ”brothers” but can’t seem to escape old affiliations
Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers
1972
6.8The Ni Family is the most well know and respected group of firefighters in the Kanto region. When their leader dies and the successor disappears, Tsuruji, a beautiful yet tough geisha, becomes the boss. But will she be able to confront a yakuza gang trying to take over the area?
The Kanto Scarlet Cherry Gang
1972
6.3A woman and her bridegroom are found murdered in their bed the day after their wedding. It had snowed overnight and the killer left no tracks. It is up to an amateur detective to figure out what happened. Carefully and systematically, he pieces together the clues in this locked room mystery.
Death at an Old Mansion
1975
7.0When a mob boss retires under political pressure, his successor and yakuza family are tested to their limits as new alliances and enemies are formed.
Japanese Humanity and Justice
1977
7.0In the year 1873, a Japanese woman is sold as a mistress to an American diplomat stationed in Japan.
The Story of a Geisha
1977
5.7In 1947, in Kobe, Japan, a local street gang fights for their survival when its turf is overrun by United States occupation forces and international gangs.
The International Gang of Kobe
1975
5.8When Omuro Yahachi of the Omuro family is selected as Mutsumikai Soke's successor, the conflict between the Kitakyushu and Wakamatsu begins.
The Pledge
1972
9.0The Kanto Brothers' Code of Honor (関東兄弟仁義 仁侠) is a 1971 film directed by Buichi Saitō. It is the ninth and last film in the Duty of Brotherhood series.
The Kanto Brothers' Code of Honor
1971
9.0A Yakuza film directed by Kôsaku Yamashita
Hikage-Mono
1972
Pinku from 1970.
Jûroku-sai no keiken
1970
6.5When the aging leader of the yakuza gang Maeda-gumi decides to retire, many of the gang members have no confidence in the young man he has chosen to replace him. A fight for the succession begins.
The Path of the King
1971
1960s · 28 titles
9.0The Domain: Kanda Festival Showdown
The Domain: Kanda Festival Showdown
1966
7.5An Osaka gangster Shimamura just got married. His new bride, Mineko is also involved in drug trafficking. When she goes to China to make a deal, things get botched pretty badly. Shimamura must travel to save her and recoup his employers’ losses.
Yakuza on Foot
1969
8.0The continuing adventures of the Jirocho gang.
The Kingdom of Jirocho 4
1965
NRKokubu Masaru (Bunta Sugawara) is a hard-headed, hot-tempered member of a street vendor clan run by an elderly boss (Kanjuro Arashi). They come into conflict with an unholy alliance of evil Yakuza bosses (Watanabe, Amatsu and Kawazu).
Kanto Street Peddlers
1969
9.0Nabeshima Naoshige murders his lord, Ryuzoji Takafusa, seeking to gain power and steal his Lord’s wife. To avoid her fate, Lady Takafusa drowns herself along with her cat in a nearby marsh. A decade later, Naoshige’s efforts to steal another woman trigger a curse on him when she also commits suicide at the same marsh — forcing him to suffer the consequences of his past actions.
Bakeneko: A Vengeful Spirit
1968
7.5Third part of Nihon Kyokakuden series is set in Kanto in 1924. Ken Takakura playing a ship's mate befriending fish shop owners harassed by yakuza.
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
1965
7.8A tale of three Yakuza gamblers who traveled Japan during the samurai era living by their wits and sword skills. Told in 3 separate vignettes, each part tells the story of a different drifter’s life. Part 1: A man is on the run after killing two Hasshu Officials to avenge his Boss. He must make a life or death decision as he is asked to protect a gang from attack. Part 2: A pair of gamblers chased out of a crooked game must fight not only their pursuers, but the ghosts of their pasts as well. Part 3: A wanderer who wants to live according to the Yakuza Code, but is not sure that he can do so when asked to save a town from an evil official.
Three Yakuza
1965
8.0Jirocho and his henchmen befriend Ishimatsu, a wanderer in Mishima.
The Kingdom of Jirocho 2
1963
8.2In the third, and final chapter of this epic tale, handsome swordsman Genji helps a vulnerable princess who is in search of a missing scroll that belongs to the Shogun. This is one of the most highly regarded trilogies featuring a youthful Nakamura Kinnosuke in one of his best roles. This was Kinnosuke at the height of his career, with charm, honor and a vicious sword. If you enjoyed the first two films in the series, you can't miss the exciting conclusion. Even without know-ledge of the first two films, this movie stands on its own with great action throughout!
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
1962
8.4In turbulent 16th-century Japan, the leaders of a minor fief have their child taken from them as a political hostage. His mother and his clan endure years of tribulations until he can return.
Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu
1965
7.0Three stories revolve around independence, a man searching for his wife, and a poor craftsman trying to make money.
Cold Rice, Osan, Chan
1965
8.5Three closely associated gamblers have adventures in Yokohama, Hokkaido, and Macao. Gambling trio endure hardships to rescue Naojiro’s family.
Three Gamblers
1967
7.2A touching story following young shamisen string maker, Saku. Beautiful Saku moves to Lake Yogo, known for its production of quality shamisen strings, only to find her peaceful life turned upside down when a master musician takes personal interest in her.
Koto—The Lake of Tears
1966
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
7.0As Japan’s Tokugawa shogunate nears the end of its rule, Edo North Magistrate Toyama no Kinsan is called upon to judge the most difficult case of his career. In a masterfully woven tale, he has to face the truth about his estranged father’s possible involvement in a nefarious plot to take over rule of the Hizen Shimabara clan by assassinating the rightful lord, his son, and install one of Shogun Ienari’s offspring as daimyo.
Sakura Official
1962
8.0Film with Junko Miyazono.
The Cross of Vengeance
1969
NRA crime film released in 1965
The Gambler
1965
8.0A young girl, Okimi, falls in love with Kiritaro, a handsome thief disguised as a wealthy young master.
Bride of White Castle
1961
NRA costumed film featuring the famous hero of Japanese history, Isshin Tasuke, arranged in the form of a popular song.
Isshin Tasuke: Edoites Festival
1967
NRThe Tokaido highway is crowded with people heading for Shimizu Port with the dream of defeating Jirocho of Shimizu and becoming the strongest in Japan. Tokijiro is a fallen yakuza who is trying to make his mark by heading for Shimizu Port with his partner, Chinen.
Tenamonya Sandogasa
1963
5.0Okinu, the beautiful daughter of a feudal lord, discovers her true identity and leaves her lavish life behind to avenge her birth father's death.
Road in the Mist
1963
8.0While imprisoned, Tatsu encounters Danshi, a man who is a big honcho in the prison pecking order. After initial conflict they become sworn brothers. Tatsu and the sworn brothers he acquires weren’t really gangsters before their prison time, just ruffians. Prison, however, introduces them to plenty of gangland characters and three years later, they’re out of prison and enmeshed in the yakuza world.
Brothers Serving Time
1969
7.0Sixth entry in the Bakuchi-uchi series.
Gambling Den's Master Clan
1968
10.0A story about a tomboy, Otoshi, who is good at singing, dancing and fencing.
Little Tengu
1961
NRThis is the story of a bad man who re-discovering humanity via woman and child while clashing with the yakuza and being hunted by a man called “Death” who has his own dark past. The prototype for the later two yakuza priest series with Shintaro Katsu and Tomisaburo Wakayama. Apparently so. And the swordsman motif seems to have been concurrent with Daiei's first ZATOICHI production.
Blind Monk Swordsman
1964
NR1962 Japanese movie
Ōedo no taka
1962
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Shimmering Sword
1962
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Blind Wolf
1963
1950s · 14 titles
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kai nusumadara kumo
1954
NRThe sixth episode of Hashizo Okawa's "Wakasama Samurai" catch series.
Case of a Young Lord 6: Mermaid Murder Case
1957
6.5Tasuke stumbles across Kokichi, a distraught man whom having lost his fiancee to Lord Kawakatsu is ready to commit suicide. Tasuke learns that Kokichi's fiancee, Otoyo, was a chambermaid whom Kawakatsu abducted in order to make her his concubine and Tasuke feels compelled to right this wrong. Meanwhile Kawakatsu is dealing in black-market lumber and receiving kick-backs but unbeknownst to him he is under investigation by Lord Izu, one of the Shogun Elders. Will Tasuke be able to rescue Otoyo from the clutches of Lord Kawakatsu and can Lord Izu put an end to his money hungry evildoings.
Isshin Tasuke: A World in Danger
1958
NRAfter getting permission to dig up the pawnbroker's grave, Young lord samurai was surprised to find the body was missing, as was the Gosu plate. He had a suspect in mind, and was able to use him to learn of the pawnbroker's hideout and try to piece together the parts of the puzzle. A superb and exciting conclusion to a very clever mystery story set during the Golden Age of Japan. With no easy questions and his life hanging in the balance, can Young lord solve the mystery and regain the valuable plate?
Case of a Young Lord 2
1956
5.0A young man and a woman are on a mission to protect a mysterious mirror that hides the secrets of a great fortune.
Scramble for Fortune
1956
NRNo synopsis available yet.
鍔鳴浪人
1956
7.5Princess Kazu, the daughter of Shogun Ienari, is sent to marry Matsudaira Nobunao, master of Peacock castle in Kozuke province, a domain of 17,000 koku. When the procession carrying her sizable dowry was so large that it was expected to take 30 days to reach the castle the members of the clan were surprised to learn that it contained only her barest essentials! Would her presence create a problem too large for the clan to deal with? And having been trained by Lord Yagyu himself, will her martial skills ruin the marital plans set forth for the couple, or can she be tamed in time for the wedding?
Bride of Peacock Castle
1959
6.0The story opens in October of 1624 when the newly appointed Shogun Iemitsu visits the famed Kan-ei temple. On his way the procession is disrupted when a small child runs into the street, a crime punishable by execution. One man steps forward to save her life by putting his on the line. Brave and compassionate Isshin Tasuke has come into the limelight as a hero of legendary proportions. His uncanny resemblance to Shogun Iemitsu will lead to many adventures that formed on of the great series in Japanese cinema. With his intelligence and personality, Tasuke seeks to intervene in the struggle between opposing factions in the Shogun's Ruling Council.
Noble Tasuke
1958
6.0Nakamura Yukinojo gains popularity in Edo's kabuki scene as a handsome onnagata (a male actor who plays female roles). But hidden behind the placid expression of his stage face is a deep grudge for the men responsible for dishonoring his parents' names and leading them to suicide when he was still a child. When he discovers that the mastermind behind those crimes has come to see him act onstage, he begins in earnest to plot his revenge. With the help of a renowned Robin Hood-like thief named Yamitaro, he makes out his first target: the daughter of the man who orchestrated his parents' demise.
An Actor's Revenge
1959
NRAs a result of illness and unemployment, Yamaoka Tatewaki, a "Hatamoto" (or direct vassal of the Shogun), pawned his family heirloom, a valuable Gosu plate for 100 ryo. When, of all occasions, Yokogawa Dewa came to visit and asked to see the Gosu plate on May 5th, Boy's Festival. Yamaoka then sent his steward to borrow the plate back, but the pawnbroker coldheartedly refused. He died soon thereafter of an unknown cause. Soon after that, two warehouses were broken into, but nothing was taken. When Detective Shokichi seeks the help of Young lord samurai, in solving these mysterious crimes that plague the town he takes the case and immediately surmises that the thief was looking for something special. Could the answer be hidden in the coffin of a deceased merchant who had his most valuable things buried with him. The tension mounts and the mystery deepens. Can Young lord solve the case?
Case of a Young Lord 1
1956
10.0The deputy shogun of the realm, accompanied by his loyal and capable aides, makes a stop at Jigokudani, a place along his journey through various provinces. Here, a lively and entertaining tale unfolds, filled with swordplay where heroes and villains clash, intertwined with heartwarming humor.
Travels of Lord Mito Pt.1
1952
NRAt the transformed Fumaden (Demon Subduing) Temple, with the dynamic efforts of Sukesan and Kakusan, and the appearance of the heroic woman Oshin, Lord Kōmon's ingenious strategy swiftly overcomes the wicked bandits in this exhilarating and unrivaled episode.
Travels of Lord Mito Pt.2
1952
NRJapanese film.
Jūrokumon karasudō: Sennin higan
1951
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Trouble Over Swords and Women: A Woman's Mind
1951

