Biography
Kazuo Mori, also known as Issei Mori, got his start as a jidai-geki director in silent films of the 1930s. In postwar years he became a leading director at Daiei, working regularly with the studio's familiar stars like Shintaro Katsu and Raizo Ichikawa. In the 1960s and '70s, Mori established himself alongside Kenji Misumi as one of the most dependable names in chambara franchise series, directing some of the best installments of Zatoichi, Kyoshiro Nemuri and Shinobi No Mono. Mori's work is marked by clear, intelligent storytelling and innovative camera techniques.
Directed 118
1980s
- 1983
Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold
Director
The Bored Samurai
Director
- 1982
Kenkaku Shōbai: Tsujigiri
Director
Messengers to Satsuma
Director
The King and His Vassal 2 - The Great Riot of Edo
Director
- 1981
The King and His Vassal
Director
- 1980
Keishi-K
Director
1970s
- 1977
- 1976
Please Hire Me!
Director
- 1975
Priest of Darkness
Director
- 1974
Hashū Hankachō
Director
- 1973
- 1972
Zatoichi at Large
Director
- 1971
Wakaki hi no kōdōkan
Director
- 1970
The Killer's Killer
Director
Easy Money
Director
Mission: Iron Castle
Director
1960s
- 1969
Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman
Director
The Curse of the Ghost
Director
Kanto Woman Infamy
Director
Kanto Onna Gokudo
Director
出獄四十八時間
Director
- 1968
Secret Report From A House Of Women
Director
The Saga of Tanegashima
Director
Bad Reputation: The Notorious Men and Their Specialty
Director
- 1967
A Killer's Key
Director
Young Boss, Fugitive
Director
A Certain Killer
Director
Spy on the Masked Car
Director
- 1966
Assignment Cloud
Director
The Front Line Showdown
Director
ほんだら捕物帖
Director
Shinobi no mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back
Director
- 1965
ほんだら剣法
Director
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
Director
Shinobi No Mono 6: The Last Iga Spy
Director
Rampaging Dog
Director
駿河遊侠伝 度胸がらす
Director
- 1964
The Gambling Samurai
Director
Bad Reputation: The Big Drum
Director
Suruga Yūkyōden: Gambling Hall Robbery
Director
The Man Disappears Yesterday
Director
- 1963
Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection
Director
Bad Reputation: The Notorious Harbor
Director
The Confusing Journey of Jirocho
Director
Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise
Director
Yaburegasa Choan
Director
- 1962
Yôki na tono-sama
Director
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
Director
170 Leagues to Edo
Director
The Notorious Man's Return
Director
Third Generation's Loyalty Offering
Director
Keshin
Director
- 1961
The Radiant Prince
Director
The Old Temple Well
Director
Song of Sado
Director
Three Young Samurai
Director
- 1960
Lord Tadanao
Director
The Blind Menace
Director
Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous
Director
Mission Accomplished
Director
1950s
- 1959
Samurai Vendetta
Director
Jirocho Fuji
Director
Lord Nobunaga's Early Days
Director
Peony on the Skin
Director
- 1958
The Swishing Sword
Director
The 7th Secret Agent to Edo
Director
Akado Suzunosuke vs. the Birdman with 3 Eyes
Director
- 1957
Advance Patrol
Director
Inazuma Kaidō
Director
Mangorō Tengu
Director
Yataro’s Travel Hat
Director
Love of the Princess
Director
- 1956
Fighting Fire Fighter
Director
Headquarters of Crime Detection
Director
Marathon Samurai
Director
- 1955
I Was Tokichiro
Director
Nagasaki no yoru
Director
Tôjûrô no koi
Director
The Birth of Judo
Director
Hanazakari otoko ichidai
Director
- 1954
Green Friends
Director
Shirazu no Yatarō
Director
Koina no Ginpei
Director
- 1953
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Kiniro no ōkami
Director
The Tattoo Murder Case
Director
Picture Book of Sarutobi Sasuke
Director
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Karakuri yashiki
Director
- 1952
New Journey of Yaji and Kita
Director
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Jigoku no mon
Director
Vendetta of a Samurai
Director
- 1951
Duel at Omagatsuji
Director
Hana aru dotō
Director
Judge of the Ashuras
Director
- 1950
Ship of Outlaws
Director
Minami no bara
Director
Confessions of a Gynecologist
Director
I Am Being Targeted
Director
Tsuki no shussen
Director
1940s
- 1949
A Bullet Hole Underground
Director
Guren bosatsu
Director
- 1948
Black Cloud Road
Director
Wildcat Lady or Mountain Cat Woman
Director
Oshidori gasa
Director
- 1947
Female Police Officer
Director
- 1946
Yari-odori gojūsantsugi
Director
- 1942
Sandai no sakazuki
Director
Ōsaka chōnin
Director
- 1941
夫婦太鼓
Director
1930s
- 1939
A Color Print of Edo
Director
- 1938
Monster Cat Akabe Daimyojin
Director
Acted in 2
1960s
- 1961
A Wife Confesses
Man at the Coffee Shop
- 1960
