Kazuo Ikehiro
Known for Directing
Biography
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.
Filmography
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
1964
Director
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors
2016
Director
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
1964
Director
Koya no Shomei
2019
Director
Lone Wolf Isazo
1968
Director
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family
2017
Director
Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station
2008
Director
The Fearless Avenger
1972
Director
Prison Break
1969
Director
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
1966
Director
The Trail of Blood
1972
Director
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
1966
Director
Young Boss
1965
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
1967
Director
The Thieves' Who's Who
1966
Director
Broken Swords
1969
Director
Slaughter in the Snow
1973
Director
Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age
2021
Director
Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill
2015
Director
The Phantom Samurai
1961
Director