Biography
Born in Hyōgo Prefecture, Kato was the nephew of the film director Sadao Yamanaka. He entered the Toho studio in 1937 and first began by working on documentaries. He worked as an assistant director to Akira Kurosawa in Rashomon. After World War II he switched to making jidaigeki.
Directed 48
1980s
- 1981
The Ondekoza
Director
Flames of Blood
Director
1970s
- 1977
- 1973
The Blossom and the Sword
Director
Miyamoto Musashi
Director
Flower and Dragon
Director
- 1972
Theater of Life
Director
Modern Lady Gambler
Director
- 1971
Red Peony Gambler: Here to Kill You
Director
- 1970
Red Peony Gambler: Oryu's Return
Director
1960s
- 1969
Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards Game
Director
- 1968
I, the Executioner
Director
- 1967
Eighteen Years in Prison
Director
- 1966
Opium Plateau: Hell Squad, Charge!
Director
Nothing But Bones
Director
Tokijiro: Lone Yakuza
Director
By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him
Director
- 1965
Blood of Revenge
Director
- 1964
Cruel Story of the Shogunate's Downfall
Director
Fighting Tatsu, the Rickshaw Man
Director
Warrior of the Wind
Director
- 1963
Sasuke and His Comedians
Director
- 1962
Tange Sazen: Heavenly Clouds, Earthly Dragon
Director
In Search of Mother
Director
- 1961
Way of Morning Mist
Director
- 1960
Castle of Flames
Director
Road Warriors
Director
The Chivalrous Youth of Great Edo
Director
1950s
- 1959
Mission to Hell
Director
- 1958
Eight Views of Samurai
Director
Wind, Woman and Road
Director
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 2
Director
The Scarlet Cherry Lord
Director
- 1957
Tales of Young Genji Kuro
Director
Lovestruck Ronin
Director
- 1955
Gyakushû Orochimaru
Director
Ninja Arts of Jiraiya
Director
- 1952
Chronicle of the Bulbul
Director
Shimizu Harbor Is More Frightening Than the Devil
Director
- 1951
Trouble Over Swords and Women: Sword Light and Shooting Star
Director
- 1950
1940s
- 1949
- 1948
The Grand Master
Assistant Director
- 1943
Lice Are Scary
Director
1930s
- 1938
The Abe Clan
Assistant Director
Wrote 32
1980s
- 1984
- 1983
- 1981
Flames of Blood
Screenplay
1970s
- 1977
- 1975
The Story of Yumeji Takehisa: In Love
Screenplay
- 1973
The Blossom and the Sword
Screenplay
Flower and Dragon
Screenplay
- 1972
Theater of Life
Screenplay
The Witty Samurai
Screenplay
- 1971
Red Peony Gambler: Here to Kill You
Screenplay
花も実もある為五郎
Screenplay
- 1970
Red Peony Gambler: Oryu's Return
Screenplay
1960s
- 1968
I, the Executioner
Writer
- 1966
Opium Plateau: Hell Squad, Charge!
Screenplay
By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him
Screenplay
- 1965
Tale of Ninja Duty
Screenplay
- 1964
Fighting Tatsu, the Rickshaw Man
Writer
- 1963
River Washes Away the Moon
Screenplay
The Mysterious Purple Hood
Screenplay
- 1962
Abekobe dōchū
Screenplay
In Search of Mother
Screenplay
- 1961
- 1960
The Chivalrous Youth of Great Edo
Screenplay
1950s
- 1959
Mission to Hell
Writer
Turbulent Highways
Screenplay
A Young Rabble
Screenplay
- 1958
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 2
Screenplay
- 1955
Muttsuri Umon's Detective Stories: The Demon Mask Mansion
Screenplay