Directing

Toshiaki Kunihara

Born January 27, 1931 · Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan (age 95)

No biography available.

Known For

The Tale of ZatoichiThe Tale of Zatoichi · 1962
The Tale of Zatoichi
7.31962
MovieAdventureAction
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire FestivalZatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival · 1970
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
6.81970
MovieAdventureAction
The blind masseuse is targeted by the leader of a powerful yakuza group while also fending off a jealous husband bent on revenge. Zatoichi tours Edo's underground via a rousing onsen fight scene, gambling houses and the gender-bending character of Umeji, before a final, flame-filled conflagration.
Yokai Monsters: Spook WarfareYokai Monsters: Spook Warfare · 1968
Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare
6.41968
MovieHorrorFantasy
When a Babylonian vampire comes to old Japan, an army of Japanese demons and ghosts gather and battle him.
Island of HorrorsIsland of Horrors · 1970
Island of Horrors
4.81970
MovieCrimeDrama
Two women are ferried to a small prison colony on the remote and barren prison island, where they and their fellow inmates are forced to perform perilous slave labor along the island’s treacherous cliffs, overseen by both an unforgiving sun and a crew of abusive male wardens. Meanwhile, the arrival of a newcomer among the island’s administrators, a disgraced policeman who is also the son of Nagasaki’s governor, creates dissension between the officials that, along with an untimely outbreak of bubonic plague on the island, ultimately sets the stage for a daring escape attempt on the part of the prisoners.
The Angry SwordThe Angry Sword · 1970
The Angry Sword
1970
MovieDramaCrime
Story about a gambler who gets involved in a struggle between companies.
Bloody ShurikenBloody Shuriken · 1965
Bloody Shuriken
8.01965
MovieDramaAction
Ronin samurai Ibuki-san enters a town and sells his skills to the warring families. He falls in love with the beautiful horse stable owner but like all heroes, cannot stay.
The Gambler's CodeThe Gambler's Code · 1961
The Gambler's Code
7.21961
MovieHistoryDrama
One of Japan's most popular stories is the tale of Kutsukake Tokijiro, a traveling gambler who finds that he must take care of the wife and child of a yakuza he had been forced by the code of the gamblers to fight man to man. In a brilliant performance from super-star Ichikawa Raizo, with strong support from two of the greats from Toho, Shimura Takashi (7 Samurai) and Aratama Michiyo (Sword of Doom) the heartfelt story reaches new heights. Tokijiro, having learned the true nature of the boss to whom he was obligated for having spent a night and eaten at the gang's headquarters takes up arms against them in a running battle fought across the back roads of the entire nation. Another powerful rendition of this superb story, it is not to be missed!
Blood EndBlood End · 1969
Blood End
6.31969
MovieDramaAction
Sentaro is been severely beaten for his defiance of the government and the high taxes during a time of famine. He is befriended by Kada Gentaro, a leader in the Mito Tengu group, which plans to overthrow the shogunate.

Filmography

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The Gambler's CodeThe Gambler's Code · 1961
The Gambler's Code
7.21961
MovieHistoryDrama
One of Japan's most popular stories is the tale of Kutsukake Tokijiro, a traveling gambler who finds that he must take care of the wife and child of a yakuza he had been forced by the code of the gamblers to fight man to man. In a brilliant performance from super-star Ichikawa Raizo, with strong support from two of the greats from Toho, Shimura Takashi (7 Samurai) and Aratama Michiyo (Sword of Doom) the heartfelt story reaches new heights. Tokijiro, having learned the true nature of the boss to whom he was obligated for having spent a night and eaten at the gang's headquarters takes up arms against them in a running battle fought across the back roads of the entire nation. Another powerful rendition of this superb story, it is not to be missed!

Assistant Director