Kazuo Ikehiro

Kazuo Ikehiro

Directing

October 25, 1929Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Kazuo Ikehiro got his start as an assistant working for directors like Kenji Mizoguchi and Kon Ichikawa. He always had a strong preference for working in jidai-geki and says that he only did a number of modern-day yakuza films because of studio demands. Ikehiro developed a gritty, unconventional style that made him an excellent match for Zatoichi and the antihero screen personae of Raizo Ichikawa. Possibly his greatest achievement came with Raizo, when he played an instrumental part in the Nemuri Kyoshiro series. The first three movies had been fairly straightforward chambara adventures, but with 1964's Sword of Seduction, Ikehiro steered the series into the surreal and stylistically outrageous extremes that made the Son of the Black Mass so legendary.

Known for

Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold

Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold

1964

Zatoichi's Flashing Sword

Zatoichi's Flashing Sword

1964

Zatoichi's Pilgrimage

Zatoichi's Pilgrimage

1966

Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo

Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo

1964

Monkey

Monkey

1978

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction

1964

Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies

Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies

1966

Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie

Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie

1969

Lone Wolf Isazo

Lone Wolf Isazo

1968

The Trail of Blood

The Trail of Blood

1972

Directing60

Tulips in October

Tulips in October

2022

Director

Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age

Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age

2021

Director

Koya no Shomei

Koya no Shomei

2019

Director

Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family

Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family

2017

Director

Murder Credit - Final Destination Series

Murder Credit - Final Destination Series

2016

Director

Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors

Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors

2016

Director

Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill

Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill

2015

Director

Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station

Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station

2008

Director

Destination Station Series - Homicide Assignment

Destination Station Series - Homicide Assignment

2001

Director

Tattooed Kin-san vs Miss Ninja Thief

Tattooed Kin-san vs Miss Ninja Thief

1997

Director

Castle of Sand

Castle of Sand

1991

Director

The Mysterious Lightning Beauty

The Mysterious Lightning Beauty

1990

Director

The Beauty with the Enchanting Melody

The Beauty with the Enchanting Melody

1986

Director

Make-Up

Make-Up

1984

Director

Satsujin Kou Oku no Hosomichi

Satsujin Kou Oku no Hosomichi

1983

Director

Goyou Sen Enjou

Goyou Sen Enjou

1982

Director

Lowly Ronin

Lowly Ronin

1981

Director

Goro Dog

Goro Dog

1980

Director

Monkey

Monkey

1978

Director

Slaughter in the Snow

Slaughter in the Snow

1973

Director

The Fearless Avenger

The Fearless Avenger

1972

Director

The Trail of Blood

The Trail of Blood

1972

Director

Kogarashi Monjiro

Kogarashi Monjiro

1972

Director

Kataashi no ēsu

Kataashi no ēsu

1971

Director

Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life

Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life

1970

Director

Live My Share, Mother

Live My Share, Mother

1970

Director

Naked Ambition

Naked Ambition

1970

Director

Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay

Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay

1969

Director

Prison Break

Prison Break

1969

Director

Broken Swords

Broken Swords

1969

Director

Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie

Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie

1969

Director

Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint

Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint

1968

Director

The Daring Nun

The Daring Nun

1968

Director

Lone Wolf Isazo

Lone Wolf Isazo

1968

Director

Young Boss: Leader's Flesh

Young Boss: Leader's Flesh

1967

Director

Escape Man

Escape Man

1967

Director

Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps

Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps

1967

Director

Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies

Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies

1966

Director

Zatoichi's Pilgrimage

Zatoichi's Pilgrimage

1966

Director

Wild Geese

Wild Geese

1966

Director

The Thieves' Who's Who

The Thieves' Who's Who

1966

Director

Young Boss: Invitation to Fight

Young Boss: Invitation to Fight

1966

Director

Young Boss: Prison Release

Young Boss: Prison Release

1965

Director

Young Boss

Young Boss

1965

Director

Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo

Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo

1964

Director

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction

1964

Director

Zatoichi's Flashing Sword

Zatoichi's Flashing Sword

1964

Director

Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold

Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold

1964

Director

Rabble Tactics

Rabble Tactics

1963

Director

Cut the Shadow

Cut the Shadow

1963

Director

Hell's Assassin

Hell's Assassin

1962

Director

Seven Miles to Nakayama

Seven Miles to Nakayama

1962

Director

Flowers of Chivalry

Flowers of Chivalry

1961

Director

The Phantom Samurai

The Phantom Samurai

1961

Director

The Gambler's Code

The Gambler's Code

1961

Director

Tenka ayatsuri-gumi

Tenka ayatsuri-gumi

1961

Director

Bara daimyo

Bara daimyo

1960

Director

Bonchi

Bonchi

1960

Assistant Director

Bakeneko Goyōda

Bakeneko Goyōda

1958

Assistant Director

Notebooks of Heiji Zenigata: Spider on the Skin

Notebooks of Heiji Zenigata: Spider on the Skin

1956

Assistant Director

Writing2

Slaughter in the Snow

Slaughter in the Snow

1973

Writer

The Fearless Avenger

The Fearless Avenger

1972

Screenplay

Creator1

終着駅シリーズ

終着駅シリーズ

1990

Creator