Kazuo Mori

Biography

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.

Directed

1. The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962) — Director
2. Zatoichi and the Doomed Man (1965) — Director
3. Zatoichi at Large (1972) — Director
4. Wrath of Daimajin (1966) — Director
5. Vendetta of a Samurai (1952) — Director
6. A Certain Killer (1967) — Director
7. Samurai Vendetta (1959) — Director
8. Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection (1963) — Director
9. Shinobi No Mono 6: The Last Iga Spy (1965) — Director
10. Satan's Sword III: The Final Chapter (1961) — Director
11. Shinobi no mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back (1966) — Director
12. The Blind Menace (1960) — Director
13. Mission: Iron Castle (1970) — Director
14. Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman (1969) — Director
15. Three Young Samurai (1961) — Director
16. Jirocho Fuji (1959) — Director
17. A Killer's Key (1967) — Director
18. The Curse of the Ghost (1969) — Director
19. Zatoichi Monogatari (1974) — Director
20. A Color Print of Edo (1939) — Director
21. Advance Patrol (1957) — Director
22. Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous (1960) — Director
23. The Saga of Tanegashima (1968) — Director
24. Lord Nobunaga's Early Days (1959) — Director
25. Lord Tadanao (1960) — Director
26. Rampaging Dog (1965) — Director
27. Love of the Princess (1957) — Director
28. The Radiant Prince (1961) — Director
29. Kogarashi Monjiro (1972) — Director
30. Secret Report From A House Of Women (1968) — Director
31. Suruga Yūkyōden: Gambling Hall Robbery (1964) — Director
32. Farewell Song (1955) — Director
33. The Old Temple Well (1961) — Director
34. Judge of the Ashuras (1951) — Director
35. Akado Suzunosuke vs. the Birdman with 3 Eyes (1958) — Director
36. Kanto Woman Infamy (1969) — Director
37. Assignment Cloud (1966) — Director
38. The Notorious Man's Return (1962) — Director
39. Bad Reputation: The Notorious Harbor (1963) — Director
40. Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise (1963) — Director

Also appeared in

1. A Wife Confesses (1961)
2. Her Brother (1960)