Akira Kurosawa
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- March 23, 1910 in Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
- Died
- September 6, 1998
- Active Years
- 1936–2025 (90 Years)
- Total Credits
- 222 credits in database
Directing Born Mar 23, 1910 Died Sep 6, 1998 Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 222 credits
Biography
Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese filmmaker and painter known for directing. He was born on March 23, 1910, in Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, and died on September 6, 1988, at the age of 88. Following a brief stint as a painter, he entered the Japanese film industry in 1936. After years of working on numerous films as an assistant director and screenwriter, he made his directorial debut during World War II with the popular action film Sanshiro Sugata in 1943. Over a career spanning over five decades, he directed thirty films and was involved with all aspects of film production. He is known for directing films such as Seven Samurai, The Magnificent Seven, and High and Low.
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Career overview
Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese filmmaker and painter whose career spanned over five decades, during which he directed thirty films. Recognized for a bold and dynamic style that was strongly influenced by Western cinema yet distinct from it, he was involved with all aspects of film production.
Following a brief stint as a painter, Kurosawa entered the Japanese film industry in 1936. After working for years on numerous films as an assistant director and screenwriter, he made his directorial debut during World War II with the popular action film Sanshiro Sugata in 1943.
Born on March 23, 1910, in Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, Kurosawa became widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. His known credits in the film industry reached 151. He passed away on September 6, 1998, at the age of 88.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Highest 2 Lowest · Original Film WriterSearching For Kurosawa
The Draft! · Thanks
Living · Original Film Writer
Morceaux de Cannes
Babenco: Tell Me When I Die
The Magnificent Seven · Original Film Writer
What Is Cinema?
The World of Kazuo Miyagawa
Kurosawa's WayAt the Gate of the Ghost · Original Story
The Last Princess · Original Story
Ikiru · ScreenplayHigh and Low · Original Film WriterTsubaki Sanjuro · Writer
Samurai 7 · Original ConceptSamurai 7 · Original Film Writer
The Sea Is Watching · ScreenplayAkira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Kagemusha'Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Bad Sleep Well'Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress'Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'High and Low'
Kaze no Yojimbo · Original Film Writer
After the Rain · Title DesignerAfter the Rain · ScreenplayKurosawaDora-heita · ScreenplayA Message from Akira Kurosawa: For Beautiful Movies
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai · ThanksInferno · Original Film WriterKurosawa: The Last Emperor
Misty · Original Film Writer
Last Man Standing · Original Film Writer
Madadayo · DirectorMadadayo · EditorMadadayo · ScreenplayIn Love With and Living Within Movies - Akira Kurosawa and Hayao MiyazakiAkira Kurosawa: My Life in Cinema
Rhapsody in August · DirectorRhapsody in August · EditorRhapsody in August · Screenplay
Dreams · DirectorDreams · Storyboard ArtistDreams · WriterMaking of 'Dreams'
Seven Warriors · Original Film Writer
Ran · DirectorRan · ScreenplayRan · EditorRan · Storyboard ArtistRunaway Train · Original Film Writer
The Warrior and the Sorceress · Original Film Writer
The Seven Magnificent Gladiators · Original Film Writer
Kagemusha · DirectorKagemusha · ScreenplayKagemusha · ProducerKagemusha · Storyboard ArtistKagemusha · Editor
The Last Round · Original Film Writer
Dersu Uzala · DirectorDersu Uzala · Screenplay
Spécial cinéma
Stray Dog · Original Story
Full Filmography
222 titles- Highest 2 Lowest (2025) Original Film Writer
- Searching For Kurosawa (2025)
- The Draft! (2023) Thanks
- Living (2022) Original Film Writer
- Morceaux de Cannes (2021)
- Babenco: Tell Me When I Die (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- The Magnificent Seven (2016) Original Film Writer
- What Is Cinema? (2013) as Self
- The World of Kazuo Miyagawa (2012) as Self
- Kurosawa's Way (2011) as Self (archive footage)
- At the Gate of the Ghost (2011) Original Story
- The Last Princess (2008) Original Story
- Ikiru (2007) Screenplay
- High and Low (2007) Original Film Writer
- Tsubaki Sanjuro (2007) Writer
- Samurai 7 (2004) Original Concept
- Samurai 7 (2004) Original Film Writer
- The Sea Is Watching (2002) Screenplay
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Kagemusha' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Bad Sleep Well' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'High and Low' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Seven Samurai' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Sanjuro' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Ikiru' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Yojimbo' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Dodes'ka-den' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Throne of Blood' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Drunken Angel' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Ran' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Stray Dog' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Lower Depths' (2002) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Red Beard' (2002) as Self
- Kaze no Yojimbo (2001) Original Film Writer
- After the Rain (2000) Title Designer
- After the Rain (2000) Screenplay
- Kurosawa (2000) as Self
- Dora-heita (2000) Screenplay
- A Message from Akira Kurosawa: For Beautiful Movies (2000) as Self
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Thanks
- Inferno (1999) Original Film Writer
- Kurosawa: The Last Emperor (1999)
- Misty (1997) Original Film Writer
- Last Man Standing (1996) Original Film Writer
- Madadayo (1993) Director
- Madadayo (1993) Editor
- Madadayo (1993) Screenplay
- In Love With and Living Within Movies - Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki (1993) as Self
- Akira Kurosawa: My Life in Cinema (1993) as Self
- Image: Kurosawa's Continuity: 'Kagemusha' (1993) Concept Artist
- Image: Kurosawa's Continuity: 'Kagemusha' (1993) Original Story
- Image: Kurosawa's Continuity: 'Ran' (1993) Original Story
- Image: Kurosawa's Continuity: 'Ran' (1993) Storyboard
- Rhapsody in August (1991) Director
- Rhapsody in August (1991) Editor
- Rhapsody in August (1991) Screenplay
- Dreams (1990) Director
- Dreams (1990) Storyboard Artist
- Dreams (1990) Writer
- Making of 'Dreams' (1990) as Self
- Seven Warriors (1989) Original Film Writer
- Ran (1985) Director
- Ran (1985) Screenplay
- Ran (1985) Editor
- Ran (1985) Storyboard Artist
- Runaway Train (1985) Original Film Writer
- A. K. (1985) as Self
- Making of Ran (1985) as Self
- The Warrior and the Sorceress (1984) Original Film Writer
- The Seven Magnificent Gladiators (1983) Original Film Writer
- Kagemusha (1980) Director
- Kagemusha (1980) Screenplay
- Kagemusha (1980) Producer
- Kagemusha (1980) Storyboard Artist
- Kagemusha (1980) Editor
- Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) Original Story
- The Last Round (1976) Original Film Writer
- Dersu Uzala (1975) Director
- Dersu Uzala (1975) Screenplay
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- Stray Dog (1973) Original Story
- The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972) Original Concept
- Dodes'ka-den (1970) Director
- Dodes'ka-den (1970) Screenplay
- Dodes'ka-den (1970) Executive Producer
- Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970) Original Concept
- Song of the Horse (1970) Director
- Song of the Horse (1970) Writer
- Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) Original Concept
- The Last Day of Hsianyang (1968) Original Film Writer
- Return of the Seven (1966) Original Concept
- Django (1966) Original Film Writer
- Red Beard (1965) Director
- Red Beard (1965) Screenplay
- Red Beard (1965) Editor
- Sanshiro Sugata (1965) Writer
- Sanshiro Sugata (1965) Producer
- A Fistful of Dollars (1964) Original Story
- The Outrage (1964) Original Story
- Jakoman and Tetsu (1964) Screenplay
- High and Low (1963) Director
- High and Low (1963) Screenplay
- High and Low (1963) Associate Producer
- High and Low (1963) Editor
- Legacy of the 500,000 (1963) Editor
- Sanjuro (1962) Director
- Sanjuro (1962) Screenplay
- Sanjuro (1962) Editor
- The Fencing Master (1962) Screenplay
- Yojimbo (1961) Director
- Yojimbo (1961) Screenplay
- Yojimbo (1961) Producer
- Yojimbo (1961) Editor
- The Magnificent Seven (1960) Original Film Writer
- The Bad Sleep Well (1960) Director
- The Bad Sleep Well (1960) Writer
- The Bad Sleep Well (1960) Producer
- The Bad Sleep Well (1960) Editor
- Play of the Week: Rashomon (1960) Original Film Writer
- Saga of the Vagabonds (1959) Writer
- Saga of the Vagabonds (1959) Script
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) Director
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) Producer
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) Screenplay
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) Editor
- Throne of Blood (1957) Director
- Throne of Blood (1957) Screenplay
- Throne of Blood (1957) Producer
- Throne of Blood (1957) Editor
- The Lower Depths (1957) Director
- The Lower Depths (1957) Producer
- The Lower Depths (1957) Editor
- The Lower Depths (1957) Screenplay
- Advance Patrol (1957) Screenplay
- I Live in Fear (1955) Director
- I Live in Fear (1955) Story
- Vanished Enlisted Man (1955) Screenplay
- Tomorrow I'll Be a Fire-Tree (1955) Screenplay
- Tomorrow I'll Be a Fire-Tree (1955) Editor
- Seven Samurai (1954) Director
- Seven Samurai (1954) Screenplay
- Seven Samurai (1954) Editor
- My Wonderful Yellow Car (1953) Screenplay
- Ikiru (1952) Director
- Ikiru (1952) Editor
- Ikiru (1952) Screenplay
- The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) Director
- The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) Writer
- The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) Screenplay
- Sword for Hire (1952) Screenplay
- Vendetta of a Samurai (1952) Writer
- The Idiot (1951) Director
- The Idiot (1951) Editor
- The Idiot (1951) Screenplay
- Beyond Love and Hate (1951) Screenplay
- The Den of Beasts (1951) Screenplay
- Rashomon (1950) Director
- Rashomon (1950) Screenplay
- Rashomon (1950) Editor
- Scandal (1950) Director
- Scandal (1950) Screenplay
- Escape at Dawn (1950) Screenplay
- Jiruba no Tetsu (1950) Screenplay
- Fencing Master (1950) Adaptation
- Stray Dog (1949) Director
- Stray Dog (1949) Writer
- Stray Dog (1949) Associate Producer
- The Quiet Duel (1949) Director
- The Quiet Duel (1949) Writer
- Flirtation in Spring (1949) Producer
- Lady From Hell (1949) Writer
- Jakoman and Tetsu (1949) Writer
- Drunken Angel (1948) Director
- Drunken Angel (1948) Writer
- The Portrait (1948) Screenplay
- One Wonderful Sunday (1947) Director
- One Wonderful Sunday (1947) Screenplay
- Four Love Stories (1947) Screenplay
- Snow Trail (1947) Screenplay
- No Regrets for Our Youth (1946) Director
- No Regrets for Our Youth (1946) Writer
- No Regrets for Our Youth (1946) Editor
- Those Who Make Tomorrow (1946) Director
- Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two (1945) Director
- Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two (1945) Screenplay
- The Admirable Isshin Tasuke! (1945) Screenplay
- The Most Beautiful (1944) Director
- The Most Beautiful (1944) Writer
- Wrestling-Ring Festival (1944) Writer
- Sanshiro Sugata (1943) Director
- Sanshiro Sugata (1943) Editor
- Sanshiro Sugata (1943) Screenplay
- World of Love (1943) Writer
- Currents of Youth (1942) Story
- Wings of Victory (1942) Writer
- Horse (1941) Assistant Director
- Horse (1941) Writer
- Roppa's Honeymoon (1940) Assistant Director
- The Monkey King (1940) Assistant Director
- Enoken's Cropped Hair (1940) Assistant Director
- Enoken’s Shrewd Period (1939) Assistant Director
- Easy Alley (1939) Assistant Director
- Subterranean Heat (1938) Assistant Director
- Composition Class (1938) Assistant Director
- Enoken's Surprising Life (1938) Assistant Director
- Tojuro's Love (1938) Assistant Director
- Japanese Women's Textbook (1937) Third Assistant Director
- Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 2 – Returning Is Scary, but the Weather Will Clear If You Wait (1937) Third Assistant Director
- Saga of the Vagabonds, Part One: Tiger and Wolf (1937) Third Assistant Director
- Avalanche (1937) Second Unit
- Avalanche (1937) Assistant Director
- Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 1 – Momma, the Hat: The Nice Way (1937) Third Assistant Director
- A Husband's Chastity: If Spring Comes & Fall Once Again (1937) Third Assistant Director
- Saga of the Vagabonds, Part Two: Forward at Dawn (1937) Third Assistant Director
- A Husband's Chastity: If Spring Comes (1937) Third Assistant Director
- The Beautiful Hawk (1937) Assistant Director
- A Husband's Chastity: Fall Again (1937) Third Assistant Director
- Enoken’s Ten Millions (1936) Third Assistant Director
- Tokyo Rhapsody (1936) Third Assistant Director
- Enoken’s Ten Millions Sequel (1936) Third Assistant Director
- Paradise of the Virgin Flowers (1936) Assistant Director
- A Fistful of Dollars Remake Original Film Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Akira Kurosawa best known for?
Akira Kurosawa is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Highest 2 Lowest (2025), The Draft! (2023), Living (2022), The Magnificent Seven (2016).
When and where was Akira Kurosawa born?
Akira Kurosawa was born on March 23, 1910 in Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan. They passed away on September 6, 1998.
How many credits does Akira Kurosawa have?
Akira Kurosawa has accumulated over 222 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1936 to 2025.
What is Akira Kurosawa's background in cinema and television?
Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese filmmaker and painter known for directing. He was born on March 23, 1910, in Shinagawa, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, and died on September 6, 1988, at the age of 88. Following a brief stint as a painter, he entered the Japanese film industry in 1936. After years of working on numerous films as...
Akira Kurosawa by the numbers
222credits
218films
4TV series
1936–2025active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self — aged about 64
- A. K. (1985) as Self — aged about 75
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