Acting
Akitake Kōno
Born October 8, 1911 · Nagasaki, Japan
Died March 17, 1978 · aged 66
Akitake Kōno (河野 秋武 Kōno Akitake, 8 October 1911 – 17 March 1978) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than sixty films from 1943 to 1973. Kōno started acting with the Zenshinza theater troupe before joining the Toho studio in 1942. Mostly a character actor, he appeared in films by directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Kenji Mizoguchi as well on television.
Known For
Sansho the Bailiff · 1954Sansho the Bailiff
★ 8.11954
MovieDrama
In 11th-century feudal Japan, following the exile of an idealistic governor, his wife and children are separated by slave traders; the children, Zushio and Anju, are sold into brutal servitude under the cruel bailiff Sansho.
The Human Condition I: No Greater Love · 1959The Human Condition I: No Greater Love
★ 8.11959
MovieWarDrama
After handing in a report on the treatment of Chinese colonial labor, Kaji is offered the post of labour chief at a large mining operation in Manchuria, which also grants him exemption from military service. He accepts and moves with his newlywed wife Michiko, but when he tries to put his ideas of more humane treatment into practice, he finds himself at odds with scheming officials, cruel foremen, and the military police.
No Regrets for Our Youth · 1946No Regrets for Our Youth
★ 6.81946
MovieDrama
After her anti-fascist professor father is dismissed, Yukie navigates love, political repression, and wartime upheaval—ultimately forging her own path in pre- and post-WWII Japan.
Sanshiro Sugata · 1943Sanshiro Sugata
★ 6.51943
MovieDrama
A hotheaded youth in 1880s Meiji Japan apprentices to judo master Shōgorō Yano, trading brute jujutsu bravado for discipline and humility. As Sanshirō matures, he proves judo’s spirit against old-guard challengers—including a deadly duel—while falling for his vanquished opponent’s daughter. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo.
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail · 1952The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
★ 6.71952
MovieDramaHistory
A fugitive lord and his six retainers disguise themselves as monks to bluff their way through a hostile checkpoint.
King of the Highway · 1965King of the Highway
1965
Movie
Castle of Flames · 1960Castle of Flames
★ 7.21960
MovieDrama
In 17th century Japan, Young Lord Masato returns after years abroad to find everything changed: his peace-loving father has died in what he soon finds to be mysterious circumstances, and his mother's married to his uncle, whose ruthless ambition is causing turmoil in the kingdom. Not knowing who to trust, Masato feigns madness, vowing to get to the truth, even though his act causes distress to the girl he loves, who's waited for him all these years. The ghost of his father turns up now and then to show him the way. Meanwhile a peasant revolt is brewing... It all ends tragically.
The Black Current · 1954The Black Current
★ 10.01954
MovieDrama
A reporter Takuo, who is sleeping in the newspaper room of the Maichō newspaper company, receives a sudden report from a reporter that the missing Akiyama JNR president was found dead.
Filmography
Sort
Flame and the Code · 1966Flame and the Code
1966
MovieDrama
Sadamitsu Gonda
The Most Beautiful · 1944The Most Beautiful
★ 5.61944
MovieDramaWar
Young women at a precision optics factory in wartime Japan push to exceed production quotas, enduring illness, injury, and personal hardship to “serve the country.” Led by Tsuru Watanabe, they fight fatigue and setbacks to keep their line moving—even when duty collides with grief.
Fire and drum band instructor (uncredited)













