Kazuo Ikehiro
DirectingKazuo 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.
Filmography — Crew
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Director
The Gambler's Code
Director
Make-Up
Director
The Trail of Blood
Director
Prison Break
Director
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
Director
Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
Director
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Director
Lone Wolf Isazo
Director
Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station
Director
Slaughter in the Snow
Writer
The Fearless Avenger
Director
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
Director
Young Boss
Director
Wild Geese
Director
Broken Swords
Director
Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill
Director
Cut the Shadow
Director
Seven Miles to Nakayama
Director
Rabble Tactics
Director
The Thieves' Who's Who
Director
Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint
Director
The Daring Nun
Director
Flowers of Chivalry
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie
Director
Young Boss: Invitation to Fight
Director
Koya no Shomei
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
Director
Destination Station Series - Homicide Assignment
Director
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family
Director
The Phantom Samurai
Director
Lowly Ronin
Director
Castle of Sand
Director
Tulips in October
Director
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors
Director
Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age
Director
Naked Ambition
Director
Goyou Sen Enjou
Director
Satsujin Kou Oku no Hosomichi
Director
Escape Man
Director
Young Boss: Leader's Flesh
Director
Hell's Assassin
Director
Kataashi no ēsu
Director
Live My Share, Mother
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay
Director
Bara daimyo
Director
Murder Credit - Final Destination Series
Director
Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life
Director
Young Boss: Prison Release
Director
Tenka ayatsuri-gumi
Director