
Acting
Gannosuke Ashiya
Born — Died
1931-05-29 — 2004-04-07
Place of birth
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Known for
Acting
Credits
63 titles
Known for
7.2The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.
Pom Poko
1994
NRThe 35th NHK Asadora about a man who enters the world of popular theater.
Ichiban Daiko
1985
8.0The 61st NHK Asadora Drama is Asuka. Set in Kyoto in the home of a traditional Japanese candy-maker, Asuka is the story of one young girl's dream to one day walk in her father's shoes and become a top candy-maker in the male-dominated world of wagashi (Japanese confectionery). Asuka grows to be a healthy, adventurous young girl with a deep curiosity and, a desire to become a candy-maker like her father. This NHK drama is one of the best in years with an excellent cast, a well-developed story based on extensive research into the traditional worlds of candy making and the tea ceremony in Kyoto, and beautiful scenery and settings in Kyoto and the surrounding areas.
Asuka
1999
NRA dramatization of Ryotaro Shiba's novel of the same title about the life of Kobayashi Sahē, a chivalrous man who actually existed at the end of the Edo period.
Story of Yakuza in Naniwa
1970
6.8Chie Takemoto is a dependable girl who struggles to help her troublesome father run a small tavern in Osaka. Unbeknown to her dad, she occasionally visits her mother who left him not too long ago. She plans on trying to reunite them, but not until her father gets a job.
Chie the Brat
1981
7.3Two boys, whose parents ply their trade by the mouth of a muddy river in Osaka, become close friends.
Muddy River
1981
Film credits
1990s · 4 titles
7.2The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.
Pom Poko
1994
9.0Set in Osaka just after the end of the war, the story depicts an unconventional merchant who returns from evacuation. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Teru Miyamoto, and the screenplay was written by Eizo Sugawa, who also wrote "Horagawa". The director is Takeichi Saito, who also directed "Kawachi no Osan no Uta: Yokita no Ware". Kozo Okazaki, who worked on "I am a Cat," is in charge of the cinematography.
Sea of Wandering
1990
NRJapanese horror movie from 1994.
Kyoto Yokai Map 6: A legend of love that transcends time and space and is revived at the Jidai Matsuri! A 1200-year-old beauty vs. a psychic detective
1994
NRShiro, a reporter, interviews Shinobu, a Noh mask artist of the Karasuma school. Suddenly, Shinobu passionately says, "I’ve wanted to meet you," leaving Shiro surprised. Kazuhiko, the adopted son of the Karasuma school, secretly watches their interaction. That night, Kijima, a factory owner, dies with flower petals stuffed in his mouth. Later, Kazuhiko is found murdered at the Kamo River...
Kyoto Yokai Map 5: A 900-Year-Old Beautiful Noh Mask Maker Who Lived in Sagano
1993
1980s · 10 titles
6.8Chie Takemoto is a dependable girl who struggles to help her troublesome father run a small tavern in Osaka. Unbeknown to her dad, she occasionally visits her mother who left him not too long ago. She plans on trying to reunite them, but not until her father gets a job.
Chie the Brat
1981
7.3Two boys, whose parents ply their trade by the mouth of a muddy river in Osaka, become close friends.
Muddy River
1981
9.0When his travels bring him to Osaka, Tora-san falls in love with a local geisha. He helps her to track down her estranged brother, and informs his family that he plans to marry her. His plans are foiled when the geisha informs Tora-san that she is engaged.
Tora-san's Love in Osaka
1981
6.4Detective Seiji Otaki is determined to find the psychopathic killer of a young woman who was ostensibly a student but in reality a high-priced prostitute. Even though he has been taken off the case for beating up a suspect, he refuses to let it go and recruits his mistress to act as a decoy for the killer. Her involvement turns out to be a fatal mistake, and when her husband gets out of prison, Detective Otaki is in worse trouble than ever.
The Dropout
1982
6.5A group of seemingly ordinary merchants is really a band of assassins for hire. When they discover that all the assassins in Edo are being killed they must act quickly to find the culprit.
Sure Death
1984
NRThe first in Norio Nanjo's "Secret" series. The phantom Sanzo (Hiroki Matsukata) and Yume no Gosuke (Ashiya Gannosuke) are ordered to infiltrated the Echigo Nagaoka Domain.
Ninja Gangsters: Extorting from the Bad!
1981
NRThe second in Norio Nanjo’s “Secret” series. The former secret phantom Sanzo (Hiroki Matsukata) and Yume no Gosuke (Ashiya Gannosuke), who escaped after clashing with their superiors, travel to the castle town of Kurume in Kyushu.
Ninja Gangsters 2: The Lullaby of Hell
1982
NRSent to an institution for mentally handicapped children by his parents, he began creating artworks using torn strips of paper. After running away to avoid army conscription, he began his wanderings around Japan, encountering many scenes which he would recreate as torn paper art from his amazing photographic memory.
The Wandering of the Naked General: The Kiyoshi Yamashita Story
1981
On their way to the Owari, Sanzo and Yumenogosuke gets lost in the Kiso Mountains. There they encounter a hidden gold mine being demolished by the Mino Naegi clan. The two join a beautiful girl named Tsubakuro Osen, whom they meet in the mountains to extort the Nabeki clan. They reach an agreement with Kageyama Taito to receive 300 ryo in three days but suddenly the Naeki clan is stripped of its power by the authorities... a plot set in motion by Sakai Wakasamori and Saegusa Kanmotsu.
Ninja Gangsters IV: The Mysterious Golden Castle
1983
Sanzo and Yumenogosuke are now traveling pretending to be a merchant and bodyguard in Edo. They are arrested on their way to Nakamura Castle in Oshu. The 30-odd members of the daimyo's procession, led by the lord of the Soma Nakamura clan is said to have left Iitate near the border in the morning and then have disappeared. Iwase Danjo, the feudal lord in control of the domain is preventing the news to leak out... and Sanzo and Gosuke are almost executed in prison to keep them from talking.
Ninja Gangsters III: The Missing Daimyo Procession
1983
1970s · 2 titles
7.3Taking place in Shinshu in the 1920s, Tsumakoi Okoma, while traveling to hone her gambling skills, teams up with the vagabond Tsukuba Tsuneji and comes into conflict with gamblers plotting to take over a rustic hot-spring town. Handling a gun and sword as skillfully as a man, Fuji Junko portrays an appealing personality that differs from Oryu in the Red Peony Gambler series. Tsuruta Koji stars as the vagabond Tsukuba Tsuneji that tops the list of an impressive all-star cast that includes Endo Tatsuo, Kogure Michiyo, Ashiya Gannosuke, Kitamura Eizo, and many others. This film is an authentic yakuza movie that conveys the true "Matatabi" (wandering gambler) feeling.
Okoma, the Orphan Gambler
1971
7.0A genius gambler and born hunter is a Buddhist monk by occupation. A raunchy comedy about a lecherous monk who, despite serving the solemn Buddha, keeps breaking the precepts one after another.
Monk's Paradise
1971
1960s · 39 titles
6.9Ohyaku is a grifter who falls in love with a thief, who recruits her for his plan to rob a shipment of government gold. When this plan goes wrong and Ohyaku ends up in prison, she resolves to do anything to escape and claim revenge on the ones who betrayed her and her lover.
Ohyaku: The Female Demon
1968
NRIn the 15th year of the Genroku era (1688), the world praised the 47 ronin who avenged the death of their master Asano Takumi-no-kami. Shogun Tsunayoshi, who ruled at that time, experienced difficulties in what punishment to impose on the soldiers. As a result, it was decided to sentence them to seppuku (ritual suicide).
Records of loyal vassals
1962
NRThe fourth "Tenamonya" feature. Adapted from the popular television comedy, Fujita stars in this film based on historical events.
Last Days of the Tokugawa Regime: Tenamonya Confusion
1967
10.0The harrowing journey of Kinu Wada, a young woman who is sold into prostitution to pay her family's debts.
Nothing But Bones
1966
5.5Erotic Pinku film showcasing he life of Buddhist nuns during the Edo Period.
Nunnery Confidential
1968
3.4A look at the lives of a troupe of geishas working in a small seaside resort town. For the most part, their lives consist of greeting boatloads of oversexed businessmen and providing bawdy entertainment through the evening followed by private companionship at night, interspersed with occasional catfights with the rival geisha house. Their routine is suddenly thrown off by the appearance of an abandoned baby in the geishas' dormitory, followed by its disappearance only a short time later. Who could be responsible for such a thing?
Hot Springs Geisha
1968
6.5The tale of real-life Yakuza boss Shimizu Jirocho is told from his earliest beginnings as a gambler on the road as he forms his gang and sets out on the path to fame and fortune. One of the smartest and strongest of all the gang bosses, he went on to survive the end of the samurai era and become a successful businessman. But first, he must survive against all odds in order to build his reputation and develop his strength. Powerful portrayals of the group are led by the great Tsuruta Koji with help from the likes of Matsukata Hiroki.
The Kingdom of Jirocho 1
1963
5.7Japan nineteenth century. High demand for tattooed geisha generates an entire industry for their "production". Europeans pay more for tattooed beauties. Against this background, and considering the gorgeous tattooed women develop the history of confrontation between two highly skilled masters of tattoo.
Inferno of Torture
1969
9.0The main character Tachibana Isaburo is released from prison and discovers that his boss is dead. He is offered to become the leader of the group, but refuses. A young fashion villain, a Yakuza boss wants to get into politics. He makes a deal with the Osaka Railway Company, leaving many poor people homeless. Tachibana engages in a fierce battle with villains for the poor.
Gambler
1964
7.5No synopsis available yet.
The Tattooed Lord
1965
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
8.0Jirocho and his henchmen befriend Ishimatsu, a wanderer in Mishima.
The Kingdom of Jirocho 2
1963
NRA country boss gives up his way of life because of his daughter's marriage.
A Country Boss
1962
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Dianas of the Campus
1966
8.0Second part of the series where sex magic skills of female and Iga ninjas clash over enourmous treasure of the Toyotomi family, discovered in connection with the plot to overthrow the shogunate.
The Spying Sorceress
1964
6.7Experienced shipyard worker Shimazaki gets an offer of free lodging from his employer in the company seaside rest house if he agrees to see to its running. After moving in, Shimazaki finds out that this will also mean taking care of a flock of youngsters, and he soon becomes their none-too-successful warden. At work the boys are disciplined, as soon as they return to their dormitory however they turn into an unmanageable mob.
18 Roughs
1963
7.0Kenichi Horie is determined to challenge his family, the law and the nature crossing the Pacific to America in a small sailboat. Despite his careful planning, many unforeseen events will test his determination.
Alone Across the Pacific
1963
NRSecond "Pfc. Story" sequel and the ninth and final sequel to "Story of Second Class Private", the only one in both series not directed by Seiichi Fukuda.
Shin nitōhei monogatari medetaku gaisen no maki
1961
9.0The Sengoku Era was coming to an end. The monopoly of the ever powerful shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, was at a near. Only one man was brave enough to stand in Ieyasu's way - A lone wolf samurai by the name of Kagekatsu Uesugi. Inspired by Uesugi's courage to revolt, a young samurai warrior, Touzou Kuruma decides to join the fight. Their target: the Tamonyama Castle.
Taking the Castle
1965
No synopsis available yet.
For Love and Money
1963
6.0At the end of the Edo period in Kyoto, the ronin Kurayoshi Norizen rents the second floor of a hardware store and lives a carefree life, running a temple school. However, his true identity is Kurama Tengu, who appears to help a patriot in a difficult situation when he is attacked by the Shinsengumi, and then disappears like smoke.
New Kurama Tengu: Gojozaka Duel
1965
NR34th year of Meiji (1901). Japanese gangster Shuntaro Hibiki is forced to work for the police to find out who robbed a truck full of gold.
Yakuza G-Men
1965
NR1962 Japanese movie
Naite waratta hanayome
1962
9.0First ninkyo yakuza picture at Toei directed by Teruo Ishii
Legends of Honor
1963
7.0No synopsis available yet.
Bad Reputation: Two Notorious Men in Tokyo
1963
8.0No synopsis available yet.
Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise
1963
7.0Mondonosuke, a young sword student, has a bad dream about his sensei being killed in a duel.Consequently, he quickly returns to his sensei's dojo in Edo, where he has not set foot in three years.
The Third Contest
1965
8.0No synopsis available yet.
Bad Reputation: The Big Drum
1964
9.0No synopsis available yet.
Hoodlum Soldier and the C.O.
1965
7.0No synopsis available yet.
Hoodlum Soldier's Flight to Freedom
1966
NR1960 Japanese movie
Bantōhan to detchidon
1960
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Gan-chan no keisatsu nikki
1962
9.0An entertaining historical drama featuring popular comedians from the Kansai region of the time, such as Makoto Fujita, Minoru Shiraki, and Gannosuke Ashiya. Raizo Ichikawa as the famous yakuza boss Jirocho.
The Confusing Journey of Jirocho
1963
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Tokyo Gambler
1967
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Song Festival
1963
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kigeki: Kane no naru ki ni koi ga saku
1961
NR1960 Japanese movie
Zoku bantōhan to detchidon
1960
NR1961 Japanese movie
Zokuzoku bantōhan to detchidon
1961
NR1961 Japanese movie
続々々番頭はんと丁稚どん チャンポン旅行
1961
1950s · 4 titles
NRPeriod comedy with fantasy elements.
Ishimatsu Travels with Ghosts
1959
NRAt a coastal hot spring inn, a group of women navigate work, personal struggles, and unexpected scandals. When a guest threatens to expose one maid's past, she must decide whether to run or face it—with help from a kind local officer.
Diary of an Elegant Hot Spring
1958
NRMasuo and Sazae are enjoying their newlywed life in their new house, even though they are in company housing. Masuo's colleague is invited to thank him for the newlyweds, but Masuo has been told by Managing Director Hanamura to go on a business trip to Kansai. Before long, Masuo contacted Sazae to come to Osaka.
Sazae-san, the Wayward Wife
1959
7.0A privileged son betrays his family for the favors of a geisha in 18th century Osaka.
The Oil-Hell Murder
1957
Series credits
NRThe 35th NHK Asadora about a man who enters the world of popular theater.
Ichiban Daiko
1985
8.0The 61st NHK Asadora Drama is Asuka. Set in Kyoto in the home of a traditional Japanese candy-maker, Asuka is the story of one young girl's dream to one day walk in her father's shoes and become a top candy-maker in the male-dominated world of wagashi (Japanese confectionery). Asuka grows to be a healthy, adventurous young girl with a deep curiosity and, a desire to become a candy-maker like her father. This NHK drama is one of the best in years with an excellent cast, a well-developed story based on extensive research into the traditional worlds of candy making and the tea ceremony in Kyoto, and beautiful scenery and settings in Kyoto and the surrounding areas.
Asuka
1999
NRA dramatization of Ryotaro Shiba's novel of the same title about the life of Kobayashi Sahē, a chivalrous man who actually existed at the end of the Edo period.
Story of Yakuza in Naniwa
1970
NRNo synopsis available yet.
The Wandering Record of The Naked General
1980
