Matsuda. Starring Hashizo Okawa, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Utaemon Ichikawa and Chiyonosuke Azuma.
Master swordsman and loyal vassal, Mondonosuke Saotome, is sent to investigate an intrigue centering on the Date clan. This is Ichikawa Utaemon’s 300th movie. A must see for all samurai fans featuring Japan’s most celebrated samurai stars!
“Hiyameshi To Osan To Chan (Cold Rice, Osan and Chan),” 1965 jidaigeki, 2 hour and 58 minutes.
Directed by Tomototaka Tasaka. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura, Michiyo Kogure and Yoshiko Mita.
Veteran actor Kinnosuke Nakamura takes on three separate roles in three short stories. Hiyameshi, the younger son of a modest family, often referred to as “cold rice,” realizes his dream of leading an independent life. Osan, known as Carpenter Santa travels throughout Japan in search of his missing wife. Chan is a poverty stricken craftsman. Jukichi must find ways to make money for his family.
“Kanto Hizakura Ikka (The Kanto Scarlet Cherry Gang),” 1972 drama, 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Directed by Masahiro Makino. Starring Junko Fuji, Ken Takakura, Koji Tsuruta and Chiezo Kataoka.
Tsuruji, a beautiful yet tough geisha, confronts a yakuza gang over a territorial dispute.
“Kazoku wa Tsuraiyo (What a Wonderful Family!),” 2016 drama, 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Directed by Yoji Yamada. Starring Isao Hashizume and Kazuko Yoshiyuki.
Tomiko and Shuzo have been married for 50 years. On the birthday of Tomiko, Shuzo asks her what she wants as a memorial gift. She answers, “a divorce.” Their children are much thrown into a state of panic to hear this news of separation. Amid the sudden tumult of life, each member of the family begins to publicize respective grievances.
“Kodomo Tsukai (Innocent Curse),” 2017 horror film, 1 hour and 51 minutes.
Directed by Takashi Shimizu. Starring Hideaki Takizawa and Mugi Kadowaki.
A suburban town is shaken by a series of mysterious child disappearances and suspicious adult deaths. A rumor begins to spread on the internet that any adult who suddenly encounters a returned “child” will die mysteriously three days later. Local newspaper reporter Shunya Ezaki refuses to believe that children are killing adults, and begins to investigate the truth behind the strange deaths. Who on earth is “Kodomo Tsukai”? And what kind of dark fate do the abducted children drag their adult victims toward?
“Musume no Naka no Musume (Sister with Sister),” 1958 drama, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Saeki. Starring Hibari Misora, Ken Takakura and So Yamamura.
Yoshiko finds new life and love interests when she takes a new job as an office worker.
“Okinawa Junen Senso (The Okinawa War of Ten Years),” 1978 drama, 1 hour and 41 minutes.
Directed by Akinori Matsuo. Starring Hiroki Matsukata and Shinichi Chiba.
After World War II, when Okinawa was under control of the United States, the local yakuza prospered. But when Okinawa is returned to Japan, the mainland yakuza tries to take over; the local yakuza tries to compete. Now sides are drawn among the local yakuza guys who used to be best friends since their childhood, and brother fights brother. It results in the biggest yakuza war in Okinawa.
“Okon no Hatsukoi Shichihenge (First Love of Okon),” 1958 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Directed by Kunio Watanabe. Starring Hibari Misora and Michiko Hoshi.
A fox in disguise, Okon, returns the favor to a man who rescued her from a fatal trap.
“RANMARU Kami no Shita o Motsu Otoko (RANMARU: The Man With The God Tongue),” 2016 drama, 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi. Starring Osamu Mukai and Fumino Kimura.
Ranmaru is a shy, dorky guy with a tongue that can analyze any element simply by licking an object, a skill that allows him to solve all manner of crimes. With his cute, but annoying sidekick, plus the steadying hand of friend Kanji, Ranmaru solves a a nasty murder mystery that devastates a failing hot spring resort deep in the mountains.
“Ronin Hakkei (Eight Views of Samurai),” 1958 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Directed by Tai Kato. Starring Utaemon Ichikawa and Kotaro Satomi.
A masterless samurai saves a noble court from crisis.
“Ronin Ichiba Asayake Tengu (The Samurai Markets),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Shoji Matsumura. Starring Ichikawa Utaemon and Konoe Jushiro.
The success story of a group of ronin who fights against traffickers during the Edo Tenpo period.
“Shimizuminato ni Kita Otoko (The Newcomer to Shimizu),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Directed by Masahiro Makino. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Satomi Oka.
A young samurai disguised as a gambler joins the famous Shimizu family to investigate where Jirocho’s loyalty lies.
“Shingo Juban Shobu Dai-sanbu (Shingo’s Original Challenge Part 3),” 1960 samurai film, 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Hashizo Okawa, Ryutaro Otomo, Ryunosuke Tsukigata, Yumiko Hasegawa and Yoshiko Sakuma.
The adventures of Aoi Shingo continue. Shingo is finally given permission to officially meet his father, the Shogun. However, his journey home is disturbed by those who wish to claim his life.
“Shudan Sasen (Lifetime Insecurity),” 1194 drama, 1 hour and 43 minutes.
Directed by Shunichi Kajima. Starring Kyohei Shibata, Atsuo Nakamura and Reiko Takashima.
In the midst of a bad economy the Vice President of Taiyo Real Estate, Yokoyama, launches a plan to cut back on his labor force. Fifty employees are segregated into a special assignment division and given an ultimatum: Meet a sales goal of 1.5 billion yen within three months or be fired. Spiteful of their unjust treatment, two men, Shinoda and Takigawa, take up the battle against the ruthless Yokoyama.
“Silk Hat no Ooyabun Chobihige no Kuma (The Silk Hat Boss 2),” 1970 drama, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Noribumi Suzuki. Starring Tomizaburo Wakayama and Goro Ibuki.
The Silk Hat Boss becomes involved in a car imports business during his trip to Atami.
“Tange Sazen Nuretsubame Ittoryu (Tange Sazen and the Princess),” 1961 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Ryutaro Otomo, Hashizo Okawa and Yumiko Hasegawa.
Tange Sazen interferes with an evil plot against the Iga Yagyu family.
“Umon Torimonocho Manji Gumo (The Eye of the Chinese Festival),” 1962 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Directed by Toshikazu Kono. Starring Ryutaro Otomo and Kotaro Satomi.
Umon investigates the murder of kabuki actors caused by deadly blows of red arrow.
“Utamatsuri Kanzashi Matoi (Girl with Fire Banner),” 1958 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 17 minutes.
Directed by Kinnosuke Fukada. Starring Hibari Misora and Chiyonosuke Azuma.
Fearless girl firefighter Oharu and skilled firefighter Shintaro battle against their evil rivals who threaten to take over Oharu’s family’s turf.
“Wakasama Zamurai Torimonocho Kuroi Tsubaki (Case of a Young Lord 9),” 1961 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Satomi Oka.
Young master comes to rescue Okimi who is suspected of murders in Izu.
“Yagyu Bugeicho Katame Suigetsu no Ken (The Yagyu Military Art: Yagyu List),” 1963 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Directed by Yasuto Hasegawa. Starring Jushiro Kone and Hiroki Matsukata.
Jubei must stop evil plot of Lord Hayatonosho who secretly plans to overthrow the Shogunate.
