Kazuo Mori

Kazuo Mori

Directing · Born 1911-01-15 · 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.

As cast

As director

Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold
Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold 1983
Director
The Bored Samurai
The Bored Samurai 1983
Director
Kenkaku Shōbai: Tsujigiri
Kenkaku Shōbai: Tsujigiri 1982
Director
Messengers to Satsuma
Messengers to Satsuma 1982
Director
The King and His Vassal 2 - The Great Riot of Edo
The King and His Vassal 2 - The Great Riot of Edo 1982
Director
The King and His Vassal
The King and His Vassal 1981
Director
Zatoichi at Large
Zatoichi at Large 1972
Director
Wakaki hi no kōdōkan
Wakaki hi no kōdōkan 1971
Director
The Killer's Killer
The Killer's Killer 1970
Director
Easy Money
Easy Money 1970
Director
Mission: Iron Castle
Mission: Iron Castle 1970
Director
Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman
Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman 1969
Director
The Curse of the Ghost
The Curse of the Ghost 1969
Director
Kanto Woman Infamy
Kanto Woman Infamy 1969
Director
Kanto Onna Gokudo
Kanto Onna Gokudo 1969
Director
出獄四十八時間
出獄四十八時間 1969
Director
Secret Report From A House Of Women
Secret Report From A House Of Women 1968
Director
The Saga of Tanegashima
The Saga of Tanegashima 1968
Director
Bad Reputation: The Notorious Men and Their Specialty
Bad Reputation: The Notorious Men and Their Specialty 1968
Director
A Killer's Key
A Killer's Key 1967
Director
Young Boss, Fugitive
Young Boss, Fugitive 1967
Director
A Certain Killer
A Certain Killer 1967
Director
Spy on the Masked Car
Spy on the Masked Car 1967
Director
Wrath of Daimajin
Wrath of Daimajin 1966
Director
Assignment Cloud
Assignment Cloud 1966
Director
The Front Line Showdown
The Front Line Showdown 1966
Director
ほんだら捕物帖
ほんだら捕物帖 1966
Director
Shinobi no mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back
Shinobi no mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back 1966
Director
ほんだら剣法
ほんだら剣法 1965
Director
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man 1965
Director
Shinobi No Mono 6: The Last Iga Spy
Shinobi No Mono 6: The Last Iga Spy 1965
Director
Rampaging Dog
Rampaging Dog 1965
Director
駿河遊侠伝 度胸がらす
駿河遊侠伝 度胸がらす 1965
Director
The Gambling Samurai
The Gambling Samurai 1964
Director
Bad Reputation: The Big Drum
Bad Reputation: The Big Drum 1964
Director
Suruga Yūkyōden: Gambling Hall Robbery
Suruga Yūkyōden: Gambling Hall Robbery 1964
Director
The Man Disappears Yesterday
The Man Disappears Yesterday 1964
Director
Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection
Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection 1963
Director
Bad Reputation: The Notorious Harbor
Bad Reputation: The Notorious Harbor 1963
Director
The Confusing Journey of Jirocho
The Confusing Journey of Jirocho 1963
Director
Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise
Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise 1963
Director
Yôki na tono-sama
Yôki na tono-sama 1962
Director
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues 1962
Director
170 Leagues to Edo
170 Leagues to Edo 1962
Director
The Notorious Man's Return
The Notorious Man's Return 1962
Director
Third Generation's Loyalty Offering
Third Generation's Loyalty Offering 1962
Director
Keshin
Keshin 1962
Director
The Radiant Prince
The Radiant Prince 1961
Director
Song of Sado
Song of Sado 1961
Director
The Old Temple Well
The Old Temple Well 1961
Director
Satan's Sword III: The Final Chapter
Satan's Sword III: The Final Chapter 1961
Director
Three Young Samurai
Three Young Samurai 1961
Director
Lord Tadanao
Lord Tadanao 1960
Director
The Blind Menace
The Blind Menace 1960
Director
No poster
Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous 1960
Director
Mission Accomplished
Mission Accomplished 1960
Director
Samurai Vendetta
Samurai Vendetta 1959
Director
Jirocho Fuji
Jirocho Fuji 1959
Director
Lord Nobunaga's Early Days
Lord Nobunaga's Early Days 1959
Director
Peony on the Skin
Peony on the Skin 1959
Director
The Swishing Sword
The Swishing Sword 1958
Director
The 7th Secret Agent to Edo
The 7th Secret Agent to Edo 1958
Director
Akado Suzunosuke vs. the Birdman with 3 Eyes
Akado Suzunosuke vs. the Birdman with 3 Eyes 1958
Director
Advance Patrol
Advance Patrol 1957
Director
Inazuma Kaidō
Inazuma Kaidō 1957
Director
Mangorō Tengu
Mangorō Tengu 1957
Director
Yataro’s Travel Hat
Yataro’s Travel Hat 1957
Director
Love of the Princess
Love of the Princess 1957
Director
No poster
Fighting Fire Fighter 1956
Director
No poster
Notebooks of Heiji Zenigata: Spider on the Skin 1956
Director
刑事部屋
刑事部屋 1956
Director
Marathon Samurai
Marathon Samurai 1956
Director
No poster
Farewell Song 1955
Director
Koina no Ginpei
Koina no Ginpei 1954
Director
No poster
Picture Book of Sarutobi Sasuke 1953
Director
New Journey of Yaji and Kita
New Journey of Yaji and Kita 1952
Director
Vendetta of a Samurai
Vendetta of a Samurai 1952
Director
Judge of the Ashuras
Judge of the Ashuras 1951
Director
Ship of Outlaws
Ship of Outlaws 1950
Director
Confessions of a Gynecologist
Confessions of a Gynecologist 1950
Director