Writing
Tsutomu Nakamura
Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Born 1933.
Acting credits
NRThis series of interviews with the filmmakers who worked on the 6 Baby Cart movies tells the stories behind the story, as they recount what led up to, and how they created the greatest film series in movie history. From the first interview with original author Koike Kazuo through the behind the scenes journey told by half a dozen noted staff members this specially produced DVD is essential viewing for anyone with an interest in samurai movies at their zenith. Starting with the first meeting that original manga author Koike Kazuo had with Wakayama Tomisaburo and never letting up as other notables including director Saito Buichi, producer Sanada Masanori, stunt choreographer Shishido Daizen, cinematographer Morita Fujio, sound recordist Hayashi Tsuchitaro, screenwriter Nakamura Tsutomu, and the real life son of Lone Wolf, Wakayama Kiichiro share their wealth of knowledge.
Archive: Lone Wolf and Cub
2008
NRA short documentary visiting some of Rashômon’s key locations, featuring interviews with former staff from the Daiei-Kyoto Studios.
Rashômon at 65
2015
Behind the camera
7.1With most of his family already dead at Ogami Itto's hands, Retsudo launches one final plot to destroy him, and when that fails, unleashes the fury of every remaining member of the Yagyu clan.
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell
1974
6.5A naively honorable samurai comes to the bitter realization that his devotion to moral samurai principles makes him an oddity among his peers, and a very vulnerable oddity in consequence. He takes the blame for the misdeeds of others, with the understanding that he will be exiled for one year and restored to the clan's good graces after the political situation dies down. As betrayal begins to heap upon betrayal, he realizes he'll have to live out his life as a ronin, if not hunted down and killed.
The Betrayal
1966
6.5Older, wiser but still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a peaceful life in a rural village. When he's caught in the middle of a power struggle between two rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent is put to the ultimate test in a series of sword-slashing showdowns.
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally
1989
7.3Ogami Itto is challenged by a quintet of warriors, each armed with one fifth of Ogami's assassin fee and one fifth of the information he needs to complete his assignment.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons
1973
7.5A noble samurai serving the Shogun as 'Kogi Kaishaku-nin' (Official Executioner) is the target of a plot by the evil Yagyu Clan to take away his position and replace him with a member of their own family. When his wife is murdered and evidence is produced that he was plotting against the Shogun the Code of Bushido calls for him and his son to commit sepuku. Instead he defies the Shogun's orders and takes up arms against his enemies, becoming an assassin for hire.
Lone Wolf and Cub: The Final Conflict
1993
NRSakane, a police officer nicknamed "Kasajiro," remains single. He meets Shinko, the daughter of a condemned smuggler with a kappa tattoo, in a mysterious encounter.
Kasajiro: The Kappa Marriage
1981
7.6Shuji was once a feared member of the Yakuza crime syndicate, but he's reformed his ways, abandoned his old life and left the city for a small coastal fishing town where he's become an honest fisherman.
Demon
1985
NRThis is a story of "Takechiyo," the previous name of Iemitsu Tokunaga, the third Shogun (General). Takechiyo got sick of daily run-of-the-mill tasks, and it put him off being the Shogun, saying "there is no truth". Then, Hikozaemon Ookubo took him to Tasuke Isshin to bring him up into a full-fledged and admirable man.
The King and His Vassal
1981
NRThe secret map of the treasure of Kenzan was stolen out of the house of a former soldier in Awa. A fight over the treasure that the map shows happens among the Rozyu, a Ronin, a thief, and the Hyodo family. Is the treasure there? Who will get it? Masakazu Tamura plays the role of a ronin from Edo, Hayato Arakida, from the Mumyo Tenshin school dojo and a swordmaster working for Lord Awa. The film is based on the original work of Kyotaro Nishimura. A period show with a fierce fight on a raft going down a river and romance.
Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold
1983
5.9Period piece about a samurai who marries a mysterious beautiful young woman who claims to have lost her memory.
Fusa
1995
6.9Based on a celebrated book by Kuniko Mukoda, this film directed by Yasuo Furuhata tells of a close friendship undone by love.
Buddies
1989
8.0A cowardly samurai is sent as an official executioner targeting the clan's former sword instructor, a man whose sword and spear skills are second to none.
Murderer!
1976
NRDuring Tenpo period, Bakuhu announced a law regulating expenditures in order to improve the financial situation. However, Doshin of a government office Itami Hanzo, called Kamisori Hanzo, challenged Bakuhu's oppressive way. Because of this, his father Magobei was told to kill himself by the Bakuhu and Hanzo himself was demoted. Five years later, Hanzo came back to the government office and implement a law regulating expenditures. He stands up for revenge Torii Kainokami who desires power as he likes.
Hanzo, the Razor
1993
NRThe wandering swordsman, Ino Heihachiro, defeats Ichima, the youngest of the famed swordsmanship trio, the Nikis, but sustains an injury. In the mountains of Tohoku, he is aided by a young boy named Shosuke. Heihachiro finds refuge in the home of the boy's parents, Magoichi and Shino, only to discover that Magoichi was a skilled ninja from Koga. The peaceful days with the family are short-lived as Ichima, bent on revenge, along with his brothers Kurodo and Ryuma, pursue Heihachiro. Heihachiro and Magoichi head towards the duel's location, but the village headman, Seibei, blinded by the allure of gold dust in the mountains, abducts Shino...
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
1983
NRThe original novel is by Shugoro Yamamoto. It depicts a friendship that transcends social status and age, featuring the captivating monologue by Kunie Tanaka and moving expressions of the soul. When the thief Denkuro (Tanaka Kunie) sneaks into a dilapidated mansion, he finds a young samurai (Furuoya Masato) sleeping there. Despite being threatened, the young samurai remains unfazed and helps Denkuro when he falls into a hole in the floor. Denkuro receives a pair of straw sandals from the young samurai who says he hasn't eaten anything for three days, and the next morning Denkuro goes out to buy food and prepare breakfast. From that day on, Denkuro takes care of the naive and helpless young samurai, nicknamed "Nobusan."
The Thief and the Expelled Master
1987
NRThe fish market is to be moved to Shinagawa, and Tasuke Isshin (Jun Inoue) got in trouble. Hikosaemon Ookubo (Eijiro Tono) heard of it from Tasuke, and ask about it to Iemitsu (Ken Tanaka). However, on the contrary, Hikosaemon received penitence for a bribe that he doesn't know.
The King and His Vassal 2 - The Great Riot of Edo
1982
8.0In postwar Japan, a quiet housewife and an aging poet fall into a scandalous love that costs them everything — family, reputation, and comfort — yet neither is willing to let go.
Rainbow Cape
1999
NROsome is a geisha and spy in the Tokugawa period. When she was very young she lost her family to a terrible fire and continues to search for her surviving brother. Along her journey she discovers much of her family history and gains new friends.
Undercover Geisha
2003
6.0The Man Who Assassinated Ryoma is a movie about a haunted blood-thirsty Bakufu officer who might have killed Ryoma Sakamoto.
The Man Who Assassinated Ryoma
1987
3.0An antique sword exposes tension between three siblings.
Katana
1986
8.5Having lost her parents at a young age, Osumi was taken in by her uncle, who ran a shoe shop, and grew up without ever experiencing happiness or a sense of joy. Against her will, she was betrothed to a rough-mannered clog maker named Katsuzo, and she lived a gloomy life. Then one night, a stranger named Shinshichi suddenly bursts into her home, where she lives alone, and begs her to hide him. As she reluctantly takes in this man with a mysterious past, Osumi gradually begins to feel a flutter in her heart.
Hashi Monogatari: Konuka Ame
2017
NRIn an Edo-era women's prison, Ochiyo manages to escape execution during a fire and becomes determined to seek revenge against her harsh jailers.
Branded Female Convicts
1984
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kumo no Yuna
1971
NRA series of murders at Fukagawa lumberyard is tied to a grudge letter from the deceased Kansuke Tsukunamiya. Officer Kasajiro Sakane investigates the baffling case.
Kasajiro: Truncheon versus Sword
1982
