
Directing
Born January 15, 1911 · Matsuyama, Japan
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.

Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold
1983

The Bored Samurai
1983

Kenkaku Shōbai: Tsujigiri
1982

Messengers to Satsuma
1982

The King and His Vassal 2 - The Great Riot of Edo
1982

The King and His Vassal
1981

Zatoichi at Large
1972

Wakaki hi no kōdōkan
1971

The Killer's Killer
1970

Easy Money
1970

Mission: Iron Castle
1970

Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman
1969

The Curse of the Ghost
1969

Kanto Woman Infamy
1969

Kanto Onna Gokudo
1969

出獄四十八時間
1969

Secret Report From A House Of Women
1968

The Saga of Tanegashima
1968

Bad Reputation: The Notorious Men and Their Specialty
1968

A Killer's Key
1967

Young Boss, Fugitive
1967

A Certain Killer
1967

Spy on the Masked Car
1967

Wrath of Daimajin
1966

Assignment Cloud
1966

The Front Line Showdown
1966

ほんだら捕物帖
1966

Shinobi no mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back
1966

ほんだら剣法
1965

Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
1965

Shinobi No Mono 6: The Last Iga Spy
1965

Rampaging Dog
1965

駿河遊侠伝 度胸がらす
1965

The Gambling Samurai
1964

Bad Reputation: The Big Drum
1964

Suruga Yūkyōden: Gambling Hall Robbery
1964

The Man Disappears Yesterday
1964

Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection
1963

Bad Reputation: The Notorious Harbor
1963

The Confusing Journey of Jirocho
1963

Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise
1963

Yôki na tono-sama
1962

The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
1962

170 Leagues to Edo
1962

The Notorious Man's Return
1962

Third Generation's Loyalty Offering
1962

Keshin
1962

The Radiant Prince
1961

Song of Sado
1961

The Old Temple Well
1961

Satan's Sword III: The Final Chapter
1961

Three Young Samurai
1961

Lord Tadanao
1960

The Blind Menace
1960
Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous
1960

Mission Accomplished
1960

Samurai Vendetta
1959

Jirocho Fuji
1959

Lord Nobunaga's Early Days
1959

Peony on the Skin
1959

The Swishing Sword
1958

The 7th Secret Agent to Edo
1958

Akado Suzunosuke vs. the Birdman with 3 Eyes
1958

Advance Patrol
1957

Inazuma Kaidō
1957

Mangorō Tengu
1957

Yataro’s Travel Hat
1957

Love of the Princess
1957
Fighting Fire Fighter
1956
Notebooks of Heiji Zenigata: Spider on the Skin
1956

刑事部屋
1956

Marathon Samurai
1956
Farewell Song
1955

Koina no Ginpei
1954
Picture Book of Sarutobi Sasuke
1953

New Journey of Yaji and Kita
1952

Vendetta of a Samurai
1952

Judge of the Ashuras
1951

Ship of Outlaws
1950

Confessions of a Gynecologist
1950

A Bullet Hole Underground
1949

Wildcat Lady or Mountain Cat Woman
1948

Sandai no sakazuki
1942
Masujiro Omura
1942

夫婦太鼓
1941

A Color Print of Edo
1939

Monster Cat Akabe Daimyojin
1938