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.
Directed 55
2020s
- 2022
Tulips in October
Director
- 2021
Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age
Director
2010s
- 2019
Koya no Shomei
Director
- 2016
Murder Credit - Final Destination Series
Director
- 2015
Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill
Director
1990s
- 1997
Tattooed Kin-san vs Miss Ninja Thief
Director
- 1991
Castle of Sand
Director
- 1990
The Mysterious Lightning Beauty
Director
The Great White Tower
Director
1980s
- 1986
The Beauty with the Enchanting Melody
Director
- 1984
Make-Up
Director
- 1982
- 1981
- 1980
Goro Dog
Director
1970s
- 1978
- 1973
Slaughter in the Snow
Director
- 1972
The Fearless Avenger
Director
The Trail of Blood
Director
- 1971
Kataashi no ēsu
Director
- 1970
Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life
Director
Naked Ambition
Director
1960s
- 1969
Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay
Director
Prison Break
Director
Broken Swords
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie
Director
- 1968
Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint
Director
The Daring Nun
Director
Lone Wolf Isazo
Director
- 1967
Young Boss: Leader's Flesh
Director
Escape Man
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
Director
- 1966
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
Director
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Director
Wild Geese
Director
The Thieves' Who's Who
Director
Young Boss: Invitation to Fight
Director
- 1965
Young Boss: Prison Release
Director
Young Boss
Director
- 1964
Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
Director
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Director
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Director
- 1963
Cut the Shadow
Director
- 1962
Hell's Assassin
Director
Seven Miles to Nakayama
Director
- 1961
Flowers of Chivalry
Director
The Phantom Samurai
Director
Kodachi o tsukau onna
Director
Tenka ayatsuri-gumi
Director
- 1960
Bara daimyo
Director
1950s
- 1958
Bakeneko Goyōda
Assistant Director
Wrote 2
1970s
- 1973
Slaughter in the Snow
Writer
- 1972
The Fearless Avenger
Screenplay
Created 1
1990s
- 1990
終着駅シリーズ
Creator