Kazuo Ikehiro
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- October 25, 1929
- Died
- October 15, 2025 (aged 95)
- Birthplace
- Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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.
Known For
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
Monkey
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie
Lone Wolf Isazo
The Trail of Blood
Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
Filmography
Tulips in October
Movie · Director
Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age
Movie · Director
Koya no Shomei
Movie · Director
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family
Movie · Director
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors
Movie · Director
Murder Credit - Final Destination Series
Movie · Director
Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill
Movie · Director
Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station
Movie · Director
Destination Station Series - Homicide Assignment
Movie · Director
Tattooed Kin-san vs Miss Ninja Thief
TV · Director · 10 eps
Castle of Sand
Movie · Director
The Mysterious Lightning Beauty
Movie · Director
The Great White Tower
TV · Director · 2 eps
The Beauty with the Enchanting Melody
Movie · Director
Make-Up
Movie · Director
Satsujin Kou Oku no Hosomichi
Movie · Director
Goyou Sen Enjou
Movie · Director
Lowly Ronin
Movie · Director
Goro Dog
TV · Director · 9 eps
Monkey
TV · Director · 7 eps
Slaughter in the Snow
Movie · Director
The Trail of Blood
Movie · Director
The Fearless Avenger
Movie · Director
Kogarashi Monjiro
TV · Director · 2 eps
Kataashi no ēsu
Movie · Director
Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life
Movie · Director
Live My Share, Mother
Movie · Director
Naked Ambition
Movie · Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay
Movie · Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie
Movie · Director
Broken Swords
Movie · Director
Prison Break
Movie · Director
The Daring Nun
Movie · Director
Lone Wolf Isazo
Movie · Director
Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint
Movie · Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
Movie · Director
Young Boss: Leader's Flesh
Movie · Director
Escape Man
Movie · Director
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Movie · Director
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
Movie · Director
Wild Geese
Movie · Director
Young Boss: Invitation to Fight
Movie · Director
The Thieves' Who's Who
Movie · Director
Young Boss
Movie · Director
Young Boss: Prison Release
Movie · Director
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Movie · Director
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Movie · Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
Movie · Director
Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
Movie · Director
Cut the Shadow
Movie · Director
Rabble Tactics
Movie · Director
A Life of Bad Temper
Movie · Director
Hell's Assassin
Movie · Director
Seven Miles to Nakayama
Movie · Director
The Gambler's Code
Movie · Director
Flowers of Chivalry
Movie · Director
The Phantom Samurai
Movie · Director
Tenka ayatsuri-gumi
Movie · Director
Kodachi o tsukau onna
Movie · Director
Bonchi
Movie · Assistant Director
Bara daimyo
Movie · Director
Bakeneko Goyōda
Movie · Assistant Director
Case Files of Zenigata Heiji: The Human-Skin Spider
Movie · Assistant Director