Screenplay: Shinobu Hashimoto

Direction Masaki Kobayashi

Cast Tatsuya Nakadai · Rentarô Mikuni · Akira Ishihama · Shima Iwashita

Synopsis Harakiri (1962) follows the tale of a wandering samurai, bereft of his lord, who seeks consent to perform a ritualistic act of self-sacrifice within the residence of a formidable and cruel daimyo. The daimyo is hesitant to grant this request,...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Takashi Shimura · Yoshio Inaba · Seiji Miyaguchi

Synopsis Seven Samurai (1954) is set in 16th Century Japan and chronicles the struggle of a vulnerable farming community perpetually threatened by roving bandits. The villagers, aware that their harvests will inevitably attract the bandits, send four representatives to a nearby...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Takashi Shimura · Nobuo Kaneko · Kyôko Seki · Makoto Kobori

Synopsis To Live (1952) follows the life of Kanji Watanabe, a man who has spent three decades in a dull bureaucratic role at City Hall, supporting a son who appears indifferent to his father's efforts. Watanabe's existence seems to be on...

Direction Masaki Kobayashi

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Yôko Tsukasa · Go Kato · Tatsuya Nakadai

Synopsis Samurai Rebellion (1967) unfolds in the tranquil era of 1725 Japan, where Isaburo, a seasoned samurai, enjoys a serene life with his family. However, his tranquility is disrupted when his personal code of honor and moral integrity clashes with the...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Isuzu Yamada · Takashi Shimura · Akira Kubo

Synopsis Throne of Blood (1957) presents a unique retelling of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," set in the world of feudal Japan. The narrative follows Taketoki Washizu (Toshiro Mifune), a brave and loyal samurai whose destiny takes a dramatic turn after an eerie encounter...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Machiko Kyô · Masayuki Mori · Takashi Shimura

Synopsis Rashomon (1950) unfolds in feudal Japan, where a tragic event in a dense forest sets the stage for a complex narrative. Masako (Machiko Kyo), a woman, and her spouse Takehiro (Masayuki Mori) encounter a dangerous bandit, Tajomaru (Toshiro Mifune), who...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Takeshi Katô · Masayuki Mori · Takashi Shimura

Synopsis The Bad Sleep Well (1960) follows a young corporate executive who embarks on a relentless quest to avenge his father's murder. Directed by the renowned Akira Kurosawa, this film is a biting critique of the corrupt corporate culture in post-war...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Minoru Chiaki · Misa Uehara · Takashi Shimura

Synopsis The Hidden Fortress (1958) follows the journey of Princess Yuki Akizuki, also known as "Yukihime" in Japanese, as she navigates through hostile lands. Her mission is to restore her kingdom with the help of a substantial amount of gold she...

Direction Kihachi Okamoto

Cast Tatsuya Nakadai · Yûzô Kayama · Michiyo Aratama · Toshirô Mifune

Synopsis Sword of Doom (1966) follows the chilling journey of Ryunosuke, a ruthless samurai devoid of empathy or moral restraint. When he is set to compete in a demonstration match at his swordsmanship school, the spouse of his adversary implores Ryunosuke...

Direction Mikio Naruse

Cast Ken Yamauchi · Yoshiko Kôda · Masayuki Mori · Akira Takarada

Synopsis Whistle in My Heart (Whistling in Kotan) (1959) is a poignant film that brings to life the story penned by Ishimori Nobuo, which garnered acclaim, including the prestigious first Mimei Literature Award. The narrative centers around an Ainu girl and...

Direction Mikio Naruse

Cast Chikage Awashima · Michiyo Aratama · Yôko Tsukasa · Daisuke Kato

Synopsis Summer Clouds (1958) follows the story of a war widow who, along with her young son, operates a farm under the watchful and domineering eye of her mother-in-law. The widow's life takes an unexpected turn when a journalist arrives to...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Yoshitaka Zushi · Kin Sugai · Kazuo Katô · Junzaburo Ban

Synopsis Dodes 'Ka-Den (Dodes'ka-den) (1970) presents a series of vignettes that delve into the daily struggles and dreams of a community living in the slums of Tokyo. The narrative revolves around Rokkuchan, a developmentally challenged boy who finds solace and purpose...

Direction Kihachi Okamoto

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Sô Yamamura · Chishu Ryu · Seiji Miyaguchi

Synopsis Japan's Longest Day (1967) portrays the intense internal struggle within Japan after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese military, led by Minister of the Army Anami, advocates for continued resistance, even at the cost of every Japanese...

Direction Yoshitaro Nomura

Cast Tetsurô Tanba · Go Kato · Kensaku Morita · Yôko Shimada

Direction Kihachi Okamoto

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Keiju Kobayashi · Michiyo Aratama · Yûnosuke Itô

Synopsis Samurai Assassin (1965) unfolds over a tense 14-day period in 1860 within the confines of Edo Castle. A clandestine group of assassins lies in wait at Sakurada Gate, their target being the influential lord of the House of Ii, a...

Direction Hideo Gosha

Cast Shintarô Katsu · Tatsuya Nakadai · Yukio Mishima · Yujiro Ishihara

Synopsis Tenchu! (1969) follows the journey of Izo Okada, a ronin (masterless samurai) who is in dire financial straits. He forms an alliance with the Tosa clan, led by the ruthless Takechi, hoping to improve his circumstances. However, Takechi exploits Izo,...

Direction Hiroshi Inagaki

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Yoshiko Sakuma · Kinnosuke Nakamura · Yujiro Ishihara

Synopsis Samurai Banners (1969) unfolds in feudal Japan, spanning the years 1543 to 1562. The story revolves around Kansuke Yamamoto, a samurai with a vision of a unified and peaceful nation. He joins the service of Takeda, the ruler of the...

Direction Akira Kurosawa

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Takashi Shimura · Minoru Chiaki · Noriko Sengoku

Synopsis I Live in Fear: Record of a Living Being (1955) centers around Kiichi Nakajima, a senior foundry owner gripped by an intense fear of nuclear annihilation. His family, alarmed by his obsession, seeks to have him declared legally incompetent. Nakajima's...

Direction Yoshitaro Nomura

Cast Yoshiko Kuga · Hizuru Takachiho · Ineko Arima · Koji Nambara

Direction Seiji Maruyama

Cast Toshirô Mifune · Yûzô Kayama · Yôko Tsukasa · Toshio Kurosawa

Synopsis Admiral Yamamoto (1968) follows the strategic and personal journey of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto as he navigates Japan's alliance with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. Appointed as the supreme commander of the Japanese fleet, Yamamoto grapples with the impending conflict, believing...