Kunio Watanabe

The third installment in the Shacho Series.

An exciting historical drama in which a beautiful woman secretly solves the family problems of the Owari clan. Hibari Misora plays two roles: a charming princess and a dashing youngster, performs songs and dances throughout the film until the big decisive battle.

The beautiful daughter of a merchant with a penchant for danger proves to be too much to handle for her worried father. Disguising herself as a man and changing her name, she heads for the capital...

The beautiful daughter of a merchant with a penchant for danger proves to be too much to handle for her worried father. Disguising herself as a man and changing her name, she heads for the capital...

A 1942 Jidaigeki by the veteran jidaigeki filmmaker Kunio Watanabe about the legendary warrior Musashibo Benkei with Hideko Takamine portraying Minamoto no Yoshitsune (who is, of course, a man). The film climaxes in the famous encounter/fight btw Benkei and Yoshitsune at the Gojo Bridge.

An entertainment movie featuring familiar faces of Toyama no Kin-san, Nezumi Kozo, Yaji Kita, and others who traveled around the Tokaido. Written and directed by Kunio Watanabe. A group of samurai rushed into the Sakura Opera Troupe in the mountain village, chasing a young woman named Chiyohime who was promoting dancing around Edo Asakusa area. Suri Nao and Kinshiro Toyama was there and saved her. Meanwhile, the samurai asked the acquaintance Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi to find her. Jirokichi visited Kinshiro 's house, and found her there…

An entertainment movie featuring familiar faces of Toyama no Kin-san, Nezumi Kozo, Yaji Kita, and others who traveled around the Tokaido. Written and directed by Kunio Watanabe. A group of samurai rushed into the Sakura Opera Troupe in the mountain village, chasing a young woman named Chiyohime who was promoting dancing around Edo Asakusa area. Suri Nao and Kinshiro Toyama was there and saved her. Meanwhile, the samurai asked the acquaintance Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi to find her. Jirokichi visited Kinshiro 's house, and found her there…

Movie version of NHK renzoku drama "Tokyo Romance"

Scammer Horikawa Shinbei hopes to make a quick buck using Namie, a stripper under his control.

Director Watanabe Kunio The first talkie film by Tamagawa Studio Starring Sugi Kyoji as Hosoi Ichikawa Haruyo as Kinuko Hoshi Reiko as Mitsuko Matsumoto Shutaro as boy of liquor shop Uemura Setsuko as landlord widow Kitahara Natsue as hysteric wife Oosaki Kenji as her husband Matsudaira Akira as singer at next door Hanano Kuniko as maid Kawagoe Ippei and Bando Mieshi as old couple Kanbe Hikaru as thief

This is the only surviving "Mito Komon Manyu-ki" film. This release also known as Adrift Tour Memoir is an 80-minute compilation of the first and second parts (147 minutes), which were re-edited and screened at a time when presentable films were dried up immediately after the defeat of the war.

The Old Man of the Propeller can be seen as a comedic amalgam of “King Lear” and “Christmas Carol”. A neighborhood loan shark is hounded by his relatives expecting big inheritance. But he is not giving any favor to anyone. His only joy of life is to go on junk hunt in the neighborhood, collecting garbages and scraps and selling them to junkmen to make profit.

Japan, 1701. A group of samurai become rônin after their lord is forced to commit seppuku for assaulting a court official, who will become the target of a merciless revenge.

Japan, 1701. A group of samurai become rônin after their lord is forced to commit seppuku for assaulting a court official, who will become the target of a merciless revenge.

1960 version of Lion Festival of Echigo

1960 version of Lion Festival of Echigo

A modern take on history with songs and comedy presented by Enoken (as Gonza), Fujiyama (as Sukeju), and Kasagi (Gonza’s wife Osaki).

Tanuma Kandayuu is a high class samurai of the house of Nabeshima. He finds a lavish board of Go (a Chinese Board game) at Kinbei's store. He recommend Kinbei to offer it to his lord. Kinbei hesitates at first, since he knows the board has a mysterious legend surrounding it; it's believed that for every game played on the board, one death is required.

Kusuo Abe stars in this kaidan.

Kusuo Abe stars in this kaidan.

Early adaptation of the book "The Inugami Clan", featuring the detective Kōsuke Kindaichi.

A musical comedy about a spirited orphan who forms a youth baseball team and gets caught up in a mix of sports, singing, and crime when he tries to return a star player’s lost money.

A musical comedy about a spirited orphan who forms a youth baseball team and gets caught up in a mix of sports, singing, and crime when he tries to return a star player’s lost money.

Bored Hatamoto film #17

Adaptation of the Riichi Yokomitsu novel.

Bored Hatamoto film #17

At the transformed Fumaden (Demon Subduing) Temple, with the dynamic efforts of Sukesan and Kakusan, and the appearance of the heroic woman Oshin, Lord Kōmon's ingenious strategy swiftly overcomes the wicked bandits in this exhilarating and unrivaled episode.

The deputy shogun of the realm, accompanied by his loyal and capable aides, makes a stop at Jigokudani, a place along his journey through various provinces. Here, a lively and entertaining tale unfolds, filled with swordplay where heroes and villains clash, intertwined with heartwarming humor.

In Nihonbashi, a fire broke out in the Kodenma-cho prison, and the prisoners were released. With the proviso that if the prisoner does not return within three days, or if he leaves Edo Prefecture, he will be sentenced to death. Prisoner Yakichi went to Matsumoto to see his mother, who was in critical condition. However, Yoriki Matsukura tries to catch Yakichi and bring him to execution.

Young men endure challenging flight training in the Yokaren, a program feeding new pilots into the Army and Navy. By the time of the filming, the pressure of the war had led the government to shorten the training and expand the age range of the recruits. Yokaren was highly selective, and thus an object of great fascination and desire for boys and young men. In this Navy–sponsored film, Setsuko Hara plays the daughter of a family that often entertains recruits on their days off—a surrogate sister to many trainees. Her fragile younger brother aspires to join the program, but is rejected. With perseverance and much support from Hara and their mother, he surmounts his weaknesses and becomes a flier.

Song of the White Orchid was a co-production of Toho and Mantetsu, the railway that served the colonial region of Manchuria, and the first film in the Kazuo Hasegawa/Shirley Yamaguchi (Ri Koran) “Continental Trilogy.” Handsome Hasegawa (representing Japan) runs up against an impertinent Yamaguchi (representing the continent); not surprisingly, in the course of the film the woman comes around and realizes the benevolent intentions of the Japanese. In Song of the White Orchid Yamaguchi leaves Hasegawa, who plays an expatriate working for the railway, because of a misunderstanding. She joins a communist guerilla group plotting to blow up the Manchurian railway. Learning of the subterfuge that led to the misunderstanding, she renews her faith in Hasegawa—and by extension Japan—and tries to undermine the plot.

During the 1200's, legendary Buddhist monk Nichiren returns from his studies to lead Japan out of moral crisis and prepare to fight Mongol invaders by creating a new form of Buddhism. He runs afoul of the existing Buddhist sects and their government supporters and is persecuted. Can Nichiren persevere before the Mongol fleet reaches Japanese shores?

Meiji Tenno portrays the buildup to the Russo-Japan War. In addition to showing the political events that led to war, it also shows the era from the story of a farm family in rural Japan that sends their son off to war. As such, it could be considered an anti-war movie, showing how, while war is devised by governments, the people do not really understand what war is, and its combatants often do not know what they are fighting for.

Near the end of the Taisho era (1912-1926), Enokichi, a popular figure in the world of boxing entangled in the Yakuza business.

Near the end of the Taisho era (1912-1926), Enokichi, a popular figure in the world of boxing entangled in the Yakuza business.

Meiji Tenno portrays the buildup to the Russo-Japan War. In addition to showing the political events that led to war, it also shows the era from the story of a farm family in rural Japan that sends their son off to war. As such, it could be considered an anti-war movie, showing how, while war is devised by governments, the people do not really understand what war is, and its combatants often do not know what they are fighting for.

Hibari Misora plays a singing guide, who is secretly in love, her fortunes turn for the worse when a gangster’s henchman hears her singing and takes a liking to her beautiful voice. The trouble starts when her family borrows money from the gangsters, setting off a series of incidents which lead to tragedy.

Hibari Misora plays a singing guide, who is secretly in love, her fortunes turn for the worse when a gangster’s henchman hears her singing and takes a liking to her beautiful voice. The trouble starts when her family borrows money from the gangsters, setting off a series of incidents which lead to tragedy.

1952 Japanese film directed by Kunio Watanabe.

1952 Japanese film directed by Kunio Watanabe.

Kingoro Yanagiya's 100th film.

1961 Toei adaptation of Yokomizo's novel.

1961 Toei adaptation of Yokomizo's novel.

Japanese film.

Japanese film.

1956 Japanese film, originally released in two parts.

Follows the Japanese lieutenant of the invading 228th Infantry Regiment Toichi Wakabayashi, who died in the Battle of Hong Kong.

Japanese comedy film.

Kitaro's worries about a typhoon that came during the unseasonable winter turn out to be true. A typhoon known as a mysterious weather event that occurs once every 1000 years has landed in Tokyo. At that time, a monster emperor appears on TV and decides to support Japan...

The story of Sanshiro Sugata, a young man who wants to learn the new art of judo. A wise teacher reveals to Sanshiro that judo is not merely a means of combat nor a demonstration of physical skill, but an art which reveals the artist to himself. This is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's films "Sanshiro Sugata" and "Sanshiro Sugata Part II"

The story of Sanshiro Sugata, a young man who wants to learn the new art of judo. A wise teacher reveals to Sanshiro that judo is not merely a means of combat nor a demonstration of physical skill, but an art which reveals the artist to himself. This is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's films "Sanshiro Sugata" and "Sanshiro Sugata Part II"

A fox in disguise, Okon, returns the favor to a man who rescued her from a fatal trap.

Daiei Film Company's three biggest stars shine in this exciting story about Vice-Shogun Mito Komon's journey to the land of the Ainu. As the shogun's uncle, Lord Mito traveled about the nation seeking to make sure that corruption and injustice did not go unpunished. Traveling together with his two faithful bodyguards Kaku and Suke, they board ship for a voyage to the far northern island of Ezo (modern day Hokkaido) where the indigenous people called "Ainu" live. Somewhat like American Indians, the Ainu had their own culture which had not been subjugated by the Matsumae clan, rulers of the vast island. A revolt is brewing within the leadership of the Ainu, which threatens to destroy their peaceful lives. The elder lord and his retinue are the only ones who can stop this reign of terror!

A geisha helps a runaway who looks just like her.

A geisha helps a runaway who looks just like her.

A touching drama about a love triangle between a young architect, Koroku, and two women, Ranko and Teruko. Ranko comes from a wealthy family and is offering to repay Koroku’s family debts in exchange for marriage, but Koroku is in love with his landlord’s daughter, Teruko. Things are further complicated when the wicked Tsugawa takes interest in both women, for his own marriage.

A touching drama about a love triangle between a young architect, Koroku, and two women, Ranko and Teruko. Ranko comes from a wealthy family and is offering to repay Koroku’s family debts in exchange for marriage, but Koroku is in love with his landlord’s daughter, Teruko. Things are further complicated when the wicked Tsugawa takes interest in both women, for his own marriage.

A Japanese artist (Ikebe), who had won the favor of the Cambodian royal family when he rescued their daughter during World War II, returns and falls for the now-grown princess, though neither realizes the other's identity.

A Japanese artist (Ikebe), who had won the favor of the Cambodian royal family when he rescued their daughter during World War II, returns and falls for the now-grown princess, though neither realizes the other's identity.

A Japanese artist (Ikebe), who had won the favor of the Cambodian royal family when he rescued their daughter during World War II, returns and falls for the now-grown princess, though neither realizes the other's identity.

Postwar! Baseball! Comedy! Enoken plays a superfan of the Yomiuri Giants – the real Tokyo team, with many of its star players "acting" as themselves – who, despite his utter lack of athletic abilities, becomes embroiled in their successes, and their personal lives. Will Enoken help the Giants take the pennant?

A Japanese army engineer (Hasegawa) on the mainland must put his personal feelings for a beautiful Chinese woman (Ri) aside if he is to succeed at building a highway through the "bandit"- (aka anti-Japanese militia-) infested hinterlands.

In the first year of Chōroku, Satomi Yoshimi, lord of Takita Castle in Awa, faces defeat by neighboring lord Anzai Kagesuren. As the castle nears collapse, Anzai demands a seed from Yoshimi’s lineage, specifically from his wife, Fushihime. Outraged but facing annihilation, Yoshimi gives Fushihime a string of eight ancestral beads and urges her to escape to loyal retainer Inuda Kobungo. Instead, she goes alone to Anzai, followed by her dog, Hachibo. In a twist, Hachibo attacks and kills Anzai, allowing Fushihime to escape. She later reveals that the beads protected her and predicts that eight warriors bearing these beads will someday defend the Satomi family before passing away. Yoshimi finds one of the beads in Inuzuka Nobuno’s armor and convinces her to serve him. Meanwhile, Baka Daiki, plotting to overthrow Satomi, imprisons Inukawa Shosuke, who tries to intervene, under the watch of vassal Aminen Saomojiro.

A cosmetics saleswoman falls for a rival executive.

A cosmetics saleswoman falls for a rival executive.

Postwar! Baseball! Comedy! Enoken plays a superfan of the Yomiuri Giants – the real Tokyo team, with many of its star players "acting" as themselves – who, despite his utter lack of athletic abilities, becomes embroiled in their successes, and their personal lives. Will Enoken help the Giants take the pennant?

1962 Japanese movie

1962 Japanese movie

During the reign of Shogun Hidetada, both Hirate Musashi and Okamoto Musashi strive to become the finest swordsman in the land by defeating the Yagyu clan's top instructors and then taking on Sasaki Kojiro!

During the reign of Shogun Hidetada, both Hirate Musashi and Okamoto Musashi strive to become the finest swordsman in the land by defeating the Yagyu clan's top instructors and then taking on Sasaki Kojiro!

A 1943 film.

Japanese comedy film.

It's been a long time since the war. Since we haven't been at war with America yet, there is a line in the movie that asks, "How do you say "dried fish" in English?" Brothers who work at a factory that handles iron in Tokyo. After losing his parents, his older brother (Takada Minoru) sends his younger brother (Ito Kaoru) to night school, and the brothers help each other survive. The older brother wants his younger brother to study and attend a higher school (university?). A mysterious woman (Sachiko Chiba) moves into the apartment where the two live. The landlady of the apartment is busy gossiping about her and who she is.

Yumemi, the president of Shirayuri Tours, visits Kagoshima in an attempt to save the contract with Satsuma Inn. After learning about the abrupt cancellation of the contract with the family-run Satsuma Inn in Kagoshima, Yumemi, launches her own investigation into the matter. Amidst her efforts to resume her company’s contract with the inn, Yumemi finds herself personally involved in the inn’s family affairs and with their guests in a surprising discover of love and friendship.

Yumemi, the president of Shirayuri Tours, visits Kagoshima in an attempt to save the contract with Satsuma Inn. After learning about the abrupt cancellation of the contract with the family-run Satsuma Inn in Kagoshima, Yumemi, launches her own investigation into the matter. Amidst her efforts to resume her company’s contract with the inn, Yumemi finds herself personally involved in the inn’s family affairs and with their guests in a surprising discover of love and friendship.

1961 Toei comedy

1961 Toei comedy

Koharu, a flamboyant geisha, unexpectedly wins a trip to Sado Island in a TV contest. She is accompanied by three people. Koharu had been dreaming of a handsome young man, but when she gets into the first-class car, she meets Tashiro, a pretentious young man with rimless glasses, Sugimura, who has a mean look in his eyes, and Ryuta, a young man she had a scuffle with in a boxing match the other day and hated. After countless misunderstandings, Koharu vows to defeat Tomoe-gumi's leader, Yamada's gang...

Koharu, a flamboyant geisha, unexpectedly wins a trip to Sado Island in a TV contest. She is accompanied by three people. Koharu had been dreaming of a handsome young man, but when she gets into the first-class car, she meets Tashiro, a pretentious young man with rimless glasses, Sugimura, who has a mean look in his eyes, and Ryuta, a young man she had a scuffle with in a boxing match the other day and hated. After countless misunderstandings, Koharu vows to defeat Tomoe-gumi's leader, Yamada's gang...

Government-sponsored film set during the Pacific War, depicting the lives of people working as stevedores.

The first film in the 1953 trilogy based on the long novel series The Great Bodhisattva Pass.

The first film in the 1953 trilogy based on the long novel series The Great Bodhisattva Pass.

The final film in the 1953 trilogy based on the long novel series The Great Bodhisattva Pass.

The second film in the 1953 trilogy based on the long novel series The Great Bodhisattva Pass.

The second film in the 1953 trilogy based on the long novel series The Great Bodhisattva Pass.

The final film in the 1953 trilogy based on the long novel series The Great Bodhisattva Pass.

A spectacular comedy with a star-studded cast that depicts unusual trials and unexpected verdicts regarding the five deadly sins: the crime of beauty, the crime of a terrifying wife, the crime of taking the wrong course, the crime of seducing, and the crime of killing with laughter.

A spectacular comedy with a star-studded cast that depicts unusual trials and unexpected verdicts regarding the five deadly sins: the crime of beauty, the crime of a terrifying wife, the crime of taking the wrong course, the crime of seducing, and the crime of killing with laughter.

During the 1200's, legendary Buddhist monk Nichiren returns from his studies to lead Japan out of moral crisis and prepare to fight Mongol invaders by creating a new form of Buddhism. He runs afoul of the existing Buddhist sects and their government supporters and is persecuted. Can Nichiren persevere before the Mongol fleet reaches Japanese shores?

A modern take on history with songs and comedy presented by Enoken (as Gonza), Fujiyama (as Sukeju), and Kasagi (Gonza’s wife Osaki).

A Japanese army engineer (Hasegawa) on the mainland must put his personal feelings for a beautiful Chinese woman (Ri) aside if he is to succeed at building a highway through the "bandit"- (aka anti-Japanese militia-) infested hinterlands.

1961 Japanese movie

1961 Japanese movie

1961 Japanese movie

1961 Japanese movie

Olympic gymnast Yukiko resists marriage plans, stumbling into a newspaper job under reporter Tsubasa. Amid comic mix-ups with a fake fortune teller, jealous suitors, and her eccentric boss, she finds herself and finally chooses love with Tsubasa.

The earliest existing version (incomplete) of Mito Komon history. It was one of the most famous (and most filmed) Jidaigeki stories. Lord Mito is the sage who wanders the countryside rectifying government corruption along with his faithful attendants Suke-san and Kaku-san.

Rookie reporter Yukiko helps save the failing Miyako Times with her friends, while romance and comic chaos unfold around her and fortune-teller Ishibashi.