
Kazuo Ikehiro
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.
Directing (50 movies)

Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age
2021

The Trail of Blood
1972

Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
1964

Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
1964

Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
1966

The Fearless Avenger
1972

Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
1964

Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
1964

Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
1967

The Daring Nun
1968

Slaughter in the Snow
1973

Lowly Ronin
1981

Young Boss
1965

Cut the Shadow
1963

Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay
1969

Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie
1969

The Gambler's Code
1961

Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life
1970

Goyou Sen Enjou
1982
Live My Share, Mother
1970

Hell's Assassin
1962

Tulips in October
2022

Lone Wolf Isazo
1968

Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
1966

Castle of Sand
1991

Broken Swords
1969

Seven Miles to Nakayama
1962

Young Boss: Prison Release
1965

Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill
2015
Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station
2008
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors
2016

Kataashi no ēsu
1971

Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint
1968

Murder Credit - Final Destination Series
2016

Prison Break
1969

Naked Ambition
1970

Rabble Tactics
1963
Destination Station Series - Homicide Assignment
2001

Wild Geese
1966
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family
2017

Make-Up
1984

Young Boss: Invitation to Fight
1966

Bara daimyo
1960

Flowers of Chivalry
1961

The Phantom Samurai
1961

Young Boss: Leader's Flesh
1967

The Thieves' Who's Who
1966

Koya no Shomei
2019
Satsujin Kou Oku no Hosomichi
1983

Escape Man
1967
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| The Fearless Avenger | 1972 | Screenplay |
| Slaughter in the Snow | 1973 | Writer |