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

Monkey
1979
Kogarashi Monjiro
1972
Tattooed Kin-san vs Miss Ninja Thief
1997
The Great White Tower
1990
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
1966
Seven Miles to Nakayama
1962
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family
2017
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
1964
Goro Dog
1980
Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
1964
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
1966
Murder Credit - Final Destination Series
2016

FILMOGRAPHY

All
Movies
TV
Directing
61
Writing
2
2022
Tulips in October
Director
2021
Seiichi Morimura Mystery Special Shuchuchueki Series 37 No Retirement Age
Director
2019
Koya no Shomei
Director
2017
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Last Family
Director
2016
Detective Ushio vs. Case Writer Saeko: Survivors
Director
2016
Murder Credit - Final Destination Series
Director
2015
Terminal Station Series - Umbrella of Goodwill
Director
2008
Detective Ushio VS Case Reporter Saeko at the Terminal Station
Director
2001
Destination Station Series - Homicide Assignment
Director
1997
Tattooed Kin-san vs Miss Ninja Thief
Director
1991
Castle of Sand
Director
1990
The Mysterious Lightning Beauty
Director
1990
The Great White Tower
Director
1986
The Beauty with the Enchanting Melody
Director
1984
Make-Up
Director
1983
Satsujin Kou Oku no Hosomichi
Director
1982
Goyou Sen Enjou
Director
1981
Lowly Ronin
Director
1980
Goro Dog
Director
1979
Monkey
Director
1973
Slaughter in the Snow
Director
1972
The Trail of Blood
Director
1972
The Fearless Avenger
Director
1972
Kogarashi Monjiro
Director
1971
Kataashi no ēsu
Director
1970
Useless Creature: Fighting Man's Life
Director
1970
Live My Share, Mother
Director
1970
Naked Ambition
Director
1969
Sleepy Eyes of Death 14: Fylfot Swordplay
Director
1969
Sleepy Eyes of Death 12: Castle Menagerie
Director
1969
Broken Swords
Director
1969
Prison Break
Director
1968
The Daring Nun
Director
1968
Lone Wolf Isazo
Director
1968
Hoodlum Priest And The Gold Mint
Director
1967
Sleepy Eyes of Death 9: Trail of Traps
Director
1967
Young Boss: Leader's Flesh
Director
1967
Escape Man
Director
1966
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Director
1966
Shinobi no mono 8: The Three Enemies
Director
1966
Wild Geese
Director
1966
Young Boss: Invitation to Fight
Director
1966
The Thieves' Who's Who
Director
1965
Young Boss
Director
1965
Young Boss: Prison Release
Director
1964
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Director
1964
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Director
1964
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction
Director
1964
Shinobi No Mono 5: Return of Mist Saizo
Director
1963
Cut the Shadow
Director
1963
Rabble Tactics
Director
1962
Hell's Assassin
Director
1962
Seven Miles to Nakayama
Director
1961
The Gambler's Code
Director
1961
Flowers of Chivalry
Director
1961
The Phantom Samurai
Director
1961
Tenka ayatsuri-gumi
Director
1960
Bonchi
Assistant Director
1960
Bara daimyo
Director
1958
Bakeneko Goyōda
Assistant Director
1956
Case Files of Zenigata Heiji: The Human-Skin Spider
Assistant Director