Tadashi Sawashima

Tadashi Sawashima

Tadashi Sawashima (沢島 忠, Sawashima Tadashi) (19 May 1926 – 27 January 2018) was a Japanese film director and theatre director. He directed films from the 1950s to the 1970s. He died on 27 January 2018 of multiple organ failure at the age of 91. Sawashima was born in Kotō, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. He joined the Toei Studio in 1950 and worked as an assistant director under Masahiro Makino and Kunio Watanabe before debuting as a director in 1957 with Torawakamaru the Koga Ninja. He is most known for his work in Toei's ninkyo eiga series, but he also directed entertainment jidaigeki featuring Hibari Misora, Chiemi Eri, and Kinnosuke Nakamura. He directed his last film in 1977, and mostly directed stage productions after that. In his final years, he had been attempting to film a version of the Chushingura story, but did not succeed. He was given a Special Award at the 40th Japan Academy Prize ceremony in 2017 for his career in cinema. He directed 49 films and wrote nine screenplays.

  • Title: Tadashi Sawashima
  • Popularity: 1.495
  • Known For: Directing
  • Birthday: 1926-05-19
  • Place of Birth: Shiga Prefecture, Japan
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Kazuyoshi Takazawa, 鷹沢和善, Takasawa Kazuyoshi
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Tadashi Sawashima Movies

  • 1969
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    Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor

    Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor

    6.7 1969 HD

    Near the end of the nineteenth century, as the balance of power shifts from Shogunate towards the Emperor, Japan restlessly awaits the dawning of a...

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  • 1957
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    Torawakamaru, the Koga Ninja

    Torawakamaru, the Koga Ninja

    7.7 1957 HD

    During the Age Of Wars (Sengoku Era), Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi are vying for power and each uses their secret weapons in order to try...

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  • 1958
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    Ghost Story on Passage

    Ghost Story on Passage

    1 1958 HD

    A ghost interrupts the journey of two young noblemen who are disguised as merchants.

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  • 1961
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    Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia

    Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia

    1 1961 HD

    Escaping the hustle and bustle of Edo, the Young Lord came to Oshima Island in Izu to take a vacation. Unexpectedly, the island's boss, Amimoto, was...

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  • 1971
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    幻の殺意

    幻の殺意

    1 1971 HD

    Adaptation of the Shôji Yuki novel.

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  • 1971
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    幻の殺意

    幻の殺意

    1 1971 HD

    Adaptation of the Shôji Yuki novel.

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  • 1963
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    Life of Hishakaku

    Life of Hishakaku

    8 1963 HD

    After eloping with a prostitute named Otoyo, Hishakaku takes refuge in the Kogane family’s turf. Indebted to Boss Kogane for his kindness,...

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  • 1963
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    A Fishmonger's Tour

    A Fishmonger's Tour

    1 1963 HD

    The supply of sea bream to the fish market has decreased, and the price has increased to a whopping 1 ryo, and unable to face his customers openly...

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  • 1961
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    A Young Warrior on Mount Fuji

    A Young Warrior on Mount Fuji

    5.5 1961 HD

    The epic battles between the Heike and Genji (Taira and Minamoto clans) take centerstage as the defeated leader of the Genji, Minamoto Yoritomo...

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  • 1958
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    Isshin Tasuke: A World in Danger

    Isshin Tasuke: A World in Danger

    5.7 1958 HD

    Tasuke stumbles across Kokichi, a distraught man whom having lost his fiancee to Lord Kawakatsu is ready to commit suicide. Tasuke learns that...

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  • 1959
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    Diary of a Wandering Lord

    Diary of a Wandering Lord

    1 1959 HD

    Two thrill seeking young lords sneak out of their castles and travel under the disguise of townsmen.

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  • 1960
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    Case of Umon: Hell’s Windmill

    Case of Umon: Hell’s Windmill

    6 1960 HD

    Umon’s services are called upon when innocent bystanders, Kayo and Minokichi, along with the ronin, Gontaro are mistakenly identified as...

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  • 1958
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    Edo Girl Detective

    Edo Girl Detective

    5 1958 HD

    Oshichi, a famous girl detective, takes it upon herself to investigate the murder of a woman which occurs during an event for the festival of Asakusa...

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  • 1969
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    Admiral Borneo: Betting at the Equator

    Admiral Borneo: Betting at the Equator

    1 1969 HD

    Takeo (Kiniya Kitaoji), son of a wealthy car industry executive, is unhappy with his job and goes to Singapore to become a fisherman. At first...

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  • 1977
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    Kyojin-gun monogatari: Susume eikô e

    Kyojin-gun monogatari: Susume eikô e

    1 1977 HD

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  • 1977
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    Kyojin-gun monogatari: Susume eikô e

    Kyojin-gun monogatari: Susume eikô e

    1 1977 HD

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  • 1965
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    Three Yakuza

    Three Yakuza

    7.8 1965 HD

    A tale of three Yakuza gamblers who traveled Japan during the samurai era living by their wits and sword skills. Told in 3 separate vignettes, each...

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  • 1962
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    Good Rascals

    Good Rascals

    6 1962 HD

    A group of men living a low life in Edo help each other to make the best out of their lives.

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  • 1962
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    Hibari's Tale of Pathos

    Hibari's Tale of Pathos

    1 1962 HD

    Hibari Misora plays a singing guide, who is secretly in love, her fortunes turn for the worse when a gangster’s henchman hears her singing and...

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  • 1962
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    Hibari the Traveling Performer

    Hibari the Traveling Performer

    1 1962 HD

    Kimie, a traveling guitarist, performs at various inns at help out her sickly mother. One night while out with her mother, Otoshi, Kimie unexpectedly...

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  • 1958
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    Noble Tasuke

    Noble Tasuke

    1 1958 HD

    The story opens in October of 1624 when the newly appointed Shogun Iemitsu visits the famed Kan-ei temple. On his way the procession is disrupted...

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  • 1960
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    Ishimatsu: the One-Eyed Avenger

    Ishimatsu: the One-Eyed Avenger

    8 1960 HD

    Some of the finest jidai-geki actors appear in this exciting and entertaining tale of intrigue and action in old Japan. Teaming up the ever-popular...

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  • 1959
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    One-Eyed Wolf

    One-Eyed Wolf

    5.6 1959 HD

    Five swordsmen are murdered and hung from a tree and the chase is on to find the killers. Two magistrates pursue the leads to solve the crime and it...

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  • 1959
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    The Edo Official and Apprentice

    The Edo Official and Apprentice

    6 1959 HD

    It's an extravaganza of entertainment as famous magistrate in disguise, Toyama no Kinshiro attempts to confront the elusive thief known as the ...

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  • 1961
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    Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku

    Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku

    1 1961 HD

    The story of two young men whose ambition is to become the personal bodyguards to the Shogun's uncle, Lord Mito Komon. Portrayed by a pair of up and...

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  • 1960
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    Case of Umon: Hell’s Windmill

    Case of Umon: Hell’s Windmill

    6 1960 HD

    Umon’s services are called upon when innocent bystanders, Kayo and Minokichi, along with the ronin, Gontaro are mistakenly identified as...

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  • 1962
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    The Ambitious Youth

    The Ambitious Youth

    1 1962 HD

    As descendent of famed fishmonger Isshin Tasuke, young feisty Ishii Tasuke uses his talent to flourish his employer’s food business.

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  • 1962
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    The Ambitious Youth

    The Ambitious Youth

    1 1962 HD

    As descendent of famed fishmonger Isshin Tasuke, young feisty Ishii Tasuke uses his talent to flourish his employer’s food business.

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  • 1960
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    The Prickly Mouthed Geisha, Part 3

    The Prickly Mouthed Geisha, Part 3

    1 1960 HD

    Popular geisha Koharu suspects that Yusaku, a handsome stranger she falls in love with, is involved in a robbery of precious diamond.

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  • 1965
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    Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro

    Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro

    1 1965 HD

    Young Sentaro struggles to avenge the murder of his younger sister Osuga and their father.

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  • 1960
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    Unwieldy Brothers

    Unwieldy Brothers

    1 1960 HD

    Taisuke is kind-hearted but overall lacks ambition. Taizo is smarter, but given to fits of emotion and impulsive violence. The samurai brothers fight...

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  • 1966
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    Golden Ninja

    Golden Ninja

    1 1966 HD

    Just after the Battle of Sekigahara, a pair of children Denji and Kichizo witnessed a team of the defeated forces hide the Toyotomi treasure. When...

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  • 1959
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    Isshin Tasuke: A Man Among Men

    Isshin Tasuke: A Man Among Men

    1 1959 HD

    In the third entry into this mega-hit series, Isshin Tasuke, a spirited fishmonger in Edo who looks just like Shogun Iemitsu undergoes a series of...

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  • 1966
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    The Protector

    The Protector

    7 1966 HD

    Mine, the only daughter of Kiyagen, is faced with running the family's timber business when her father falls ill. Under a great deal of pressure to...

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  • 1961
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    Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku

    Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku

    1 1961 HD

    The story of two young men whose ambition is to become the personal bodyguards to the Shogun's uncle, Lord Mito Komon. Portrayed by a pair of up and...

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  • 1963
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    Life of Hishakaku 2

    Life of Hishakaku 2

    8.2 1963 HD

    Upon his release from the prison, Hishakaku joins the Kikkyo family who is struggling to regain their turf from their rival, Domoto family. To...

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  • 1963
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    Okashina yatsu

    Okashina yatsu

    1 1963 HD

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  • 1961
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    Bride of White Castle

    Bride of White Castle

    6 1961 HD

    A young girl, Okimi, falls in love with Kiritaro, a handsome thief disguised as a wealthy young master.

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  • 1962
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    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi

    8.5 1962 HD

    Playhouse employees Okimi and Otoshi become involved in an undercover officer’s investigation of a gang when they accidentally walk in on a...

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  • 1962
    imgMovies

    Drunken Sword

    Drunken Sword

    6 1962 HD

    Tetsunosuke, an eccentric doctor and an owner of a fencing school, takes aim against corrupt authorities.

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  • 1959
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    House of Spider Webs

    House of Spider Webs

    1 1959 HD

    Based on the original story by Seishi Yokomizo, House of Spider Webs is a gorgeous historical drama thriller starring Kinnosuke Nakamura and directed...

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    One-Eyed Wolf

    One-Eyed Wolf

    5.6 1959 HD

    Five swordsmen are murdered and hung from a tree and the chase is on to find the killers. Two magistrates pursue the leads to solve the crime and it...

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  • 1965
    imgMovies

    Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro

    Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro

    1 1965 HD

    Young Sentaro struggles to avenge the murder of his younger sister Osuga and their father.

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Gentle Breeze

    Gentle Breeze

    5 1959 HD

    A young, feisty woman named Osome searches for her true love in the midst of a family crisis.

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Gentle Breeze

    Gentle Breeze

    5 1959 HD

    A young, feisty woman named Osome searches for her true love in the midst of a family crisis.

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  • 1961
    imgMovies

    Bride of White Castle

    Bride of White Castle

    6 1961 HD

    A young girl, Okimi, falls in love with Kiritaro, a handsome thief disguised as a wealthy young master.

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  • 1962
    imgMovies

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi

    8.5 1962 HD

    Playhouse employees Okimi and Otoshi become involved in an undercover officer’s investigation of a gang when they accidentally walk in on a...

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  • 1958
    imgMovies

    Isshin Tasuke: A World in Danger

    Isshin Tasuke: A World in Danger

    5.7 1958 HD

    Tasuke stumbles across Kokichi, a distraught man whom having lost his fiancee to Lord Kawakatsu is ready to commit suicide. Tasuke learns that...

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  • 1960
    imgMovies

    The Pirates

    The Pirates

    7.2 1960 HD

    Finding more freedom on the high seas than in war-torn Japan, the 'Bahansen' (Pirate ships) based on the Seto Inland Sea during the Warring Period...

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  • 1960
    imgMovies

    Unwieldy Brothers

    Unwieldy Brothers

    1 1960 HD

    Taisuke is kind-hearted but overall lacks ambition. Taizo is smarter, but given to fits of emotion and impulsive violence. The samurai brothers fight...

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  • 1960
    imgMovies

    Scarier than the Devil

    Scarier than the Devil

    7 1960 HD

    A stage director who directs a “Mori no Ishimatsu” play time travels and becomes “Mori no Ishimatsu” himself.

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    The Actress vs. the Greedy Sharks

    The Actress vs. the Greedy Sharks

    1 1966 HD

    Framed by his enemies, Manbe finds himself imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. His only hope lies with his daughter Yuki who takes it...

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  • 1961
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    The Shogun and the Fishmonger

    The Shogun and the Fishmonger

    5.7 1961 HD

    Fishmonger Tasuke and Shogun Iemitsu swap their identities in pretence for the protection of Iemitsu.

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  • 1963
    imgMovies

    A Fishmonger's Tour

    A Fishmonger's Tour

    1 1963 HD

    The supply of sea bream to the fish market has decreased, and the price has increased to a whopping 1 ryo, and unable to face his customers openly...

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Diary of a Wandering Lord

    Diary of a Wandering Lord

    1 1959 HD

    Two thrill seeking young lords sneak out of their castles and travel under the disguise of townsmen.

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  • 1963
    imgMovies

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi 2

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi 2

    1 1963 HD

    A princess seeks adventure and true love, with help from her loyal servant.

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  • 1963
    imgMovies

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi 2

    Travels of Hibari and Chiemi 2

    1 1963 HD

    A princess seeks adventure and true love, with help from her loyal servant.

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  • 1961
    imgMovies

    A Young Warrior on Mount Fuji

    A Young Warrior on Mount Fuji

    5.5 1961 HD

    The epic battles between the Heike and Genji (Taira and Minamoto clans) take centerstage as the defeated leader of the Genji, Minamoto Yoritomo...

    img
  • 1960
    imgMovies

    Ishimatsu: the One-Eyed Avenger

    Ishimatsu: the One-Eyed Avenger

    8 1960 HD

    Some of the finest jidai-geki actors appear in this exciting and entertaining tale of intrigue and action in old Japan. Teaming up the ever-popular...

    img
  • 1966
    imgMovies

    The Actress vs. the Greedy Sharks

    The Actress vs. the Greedy Sharks

    1 1966 HD

    Framed by his enemies, Manbe finds himself imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. His only hope lies with his daughter Yuki who takes it...

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  • 1960
    imgMovies

    Scarier than the Devil

    Scarier than the Devil

    7 1960 HD

    A stage director who directs a “Mori no Ishimatsu” play time travels and becomes “Mori no Ishimatsu” himself.

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  • 1961
    imgMovies

    Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia

    Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia

    1 1961 HD

    Escaping the hustle and bustle of Edo, the Young Lord came to Oshima Island in Izu to take a vacation. Unexpectedly, the island's boss, Amimoto, was...

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    The Edo Official and Apprentice

    The Edo Official and Apprentice

    6 1959 HD

    It's an extravaganza of entertainment as famous magistrate in disguise, Toyama no Kinshiro attempts to confront the elusive thief known as the ...

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Life of Hishakaku 3

    Life of Hishakaku 3

    1 1964 HD

    Third part in Tadashi Sawashima's Theater of Life trilogy.

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  • 1958
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    Case of a Young Lord 7: Red Crane House

    Case of a Young Lord 7: Red Crane House

    1 1958 HD

    All is not well in an a small fishing village not far from Edo. Mysterious goings-on are happening at Echigoya’s Red Crane Mansion, and when...

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  • 1958
    imgMovies

    Case of a Young Lord 7: Red Crane House

    Case of a Young Lord 7: Red Crane House

    1 1958 HD

    All is not well in an a small fishing village not far from Edo. Mysterious goings-on are happening at Echigoya’s Red Crane Mansion, and when...

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  • 1960
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    Samurai Vagabonds

    Samurai Vagabonds

    6 1960 HD

    On New Year's Day 1716, Munenaga of Owari and Yoshinao of Kii were both named as candidates for the title of 8th Shogun. The wise and just Munenaga...

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  • 1965
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    The Tattooed Lord

    The Tattooed Lord

    8 1965 HD

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  • 1965
    imgMovies

    The Tattooed Lord

    The Tattooed Lord

    8 1965 HD

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  • 1971
    imgMovies

    Onna no hanamichi

    Onna no hanamichi

    1 1971 HD

    A film commemorating the 25th anniversary of Hibari Misora's performing career. Written by Matsutaro Kawaguchi for Hibari Misora to celebrate her...

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  • 1971
    imgMovies

    Onna no hanamichi

    Onna no hanamichi

    1 1971 HD

    A film commemorating the 25th anniversary of Hibari Misora's performing career. Written by Matsutaro Kawaguchi for Hibari Misora to celebrate her...

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  • 1962
    imgMovies

    Drunken Sword

    Drunken Sword

    6 1962 HD

    Tetsunosuke, an eccentric doctor and an owner of a fencing school, takes aim against corrupt authorities.

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  • 1970
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    1 1970 HD

    After 2 years of completely isolation in mountains, Musashi comes back in order to live a normal life. However, after his duel against Kojiro Sasaki...

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  • 1970
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    1 1970 HD

    After 2 years of completely isolation in mountains, Musashi comes back in order to live a normal life. However, after his duel against Kojiro Sasaki...

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  • 1970
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    1 1970 HD

    Set in the eighteenth century, during the reign of the fifth Tokugawa shōgun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Akō-han is demolished by the Tokugawa shogunate....

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