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Bunta Sugawara

Acting Born Aug 16, 1933 Died Nov 28, 2014 Sendai, Miyagi, Japan 231 credits
231
Total Credits
1956–2013
58 Years Career Span
19
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Bunta Sugawara was a Japanese actor known for his extensive career in cinema. Throughout his professional life, he appeared in over 200 Japanese feature films. He gained particular prominence for his work within the yakuza genre, appearing in numerous productions of that type. Sugawara passed away at the age of 81. His death occurred on November 28, 2014, while he was in a Tokyo hospital. The cause of death was identified as liver cancer. The announcement regarding his passing was made public on December 1, 2014. His body of work remains a significant contribution to the history of Japanese film.

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Known for

Film

Wolf Children

as Nirasaki (voice)
Film

Tales from Earthsea

as Haitaka (voice)

Toshiie and Matsu

as Toshimasa Maeda
Film

Spirited Away

as Kamaji (voice)
Film

Blood Work

2002
Film

Gate of Youth

as Shigezo Ibuki
Film

Star of David: Beauty Hunting

as Momojirô Hoshi
Film

The Man Who Stole the Sun

as Inspector Yamashita
Film

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode

as Shozo Hirono
Film

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Police Tactics

as Shozo Hirono
Film

Violent Streets

as Tatsu
Film

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War

as Shozo Hirono

Frequent co-stars

Nobuo Kaneko 6 shared titles
Takuzō Kawatani 5 shared titles
Hiroki Matsukata 4 shared titles
Kunie Tanaka 4 shared titles
Toshie Kimura 4 shared titles
Asao Uchida 4 shared titles
Tatsuo Endō 4 shared titles
Shingo Yamashiro 4 shared titles
Josef Langmiler 3 shared titles
Hiroshi Nawa 3 shared titles

Career timeline

The Town of Iidate: Radiation and the Return Home · Other
Wolf Children
Sisterhood
Hagetaka: Road to RebirthThe Battery
Tales from Earthsea
New Shadow Warriors VI: The Final ChapterNew Shadow Warriors V: Hattori Hanzo vs OnmyojiThe Great Yokai War
Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 1 - The Heaven ChapterSarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 2 - The Earth Chapter
My GrandpaRyoukan-san4Teen
Toshiie and MatsuShura Group Part 3Shura Group
Spirited AwayDekotora Gaiden: A Man’s Life, a Road of Dreams · Executive ProducerThe Nippon Television Special of Spirited Away
Dora-heitaThe True Story of The Hiroshima Yakuza WarThe True Story of The Hiroshima Yakuza War: Final Chapter
History of Japan’s Yakuza — Ambition Corps 3
Tokugawa YoshinobuSanada Yukimura: The Man Shogun Ieyasu Feared MostYou Don't Know That, Teacher?
An Angel with Many Scars
KirikomiShura ga Yuku
Furuhata NinzaburoThe Man Who Shot the Don
Emperor of Upheaval
Distant JusticeBig BossKita no kuni kara '92 Sudachi Part 1
Let's Shoot RidiculouslyJingi
戦艦大和Yellow FangsSignal FoolTekken
Yawara!
Crane
The Lady in a Black DressActressThe Eccentric ShinzaThe Forced Marriage with Children
Musashibo BenkeiThe Hall of the Crying Deer
The Burmese Harp
The Story of a Man Among Men
DomineeringTasogare ni hyōteki o uteTo Trap a Kidnapper
Tuesday Suspense TheaterFlames of BloodGate of Youth
The Lion EraBattles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Star of David: Beauty HuntingThe Man Who Stole the SunRun Truck Rascal, Run!Down with The Big BossA 5,000 Kilometer Run under The Scorching Sun

Full Filmography

231 titles
  • The Town of Iidate: Radiation and the Return Home (2013) Other
  • Wolf Children (2012) as Nirasaki (voice)
  • Sisterhood (2008)
  • Hagetaka: Road to Rebirth (2007) as Syouzaburou Ooki
  • The Battery (2007) as Yozo Ioka
  • Tales from Earthsea (2006) as Haitaka (voice)
  • New Shadow Warriors VI: The Final Chapter (2005) as Tokugawa Leyasu
  • New Shadow Warriors V: Hattori Hanzo vs Onmyoji (2005) as Tokugawa Leyasu
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  • The Great Yokai War (2005) as Shuntarō Ino
  • Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 1 - The Heaven Chapter (2004)
  • Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 2 - The Earth Chapter (2004)
  • My Grandpa (2003) as Godai Kenzo
  • Ryoukan-san (2003) as Ryoukan
  • 4Teen (2003)
  • Toshiie and Matsu (2002) as Toshimasa Maeda
  • Shura Group Part 3 (2002)
  • Shura Group (2002)
  • Spirited Away (2001) as Kamaji (voice)
  • Dekotora Gaiden: A Man’s Life, a Road of Dreams (2001) Executive Producer
  • The Nippon Television Special of Spirited Away (2001)
  • Dora-heita (2000) as Nadahachi on the Great River
  • The True Story of The Hiroshima Yakuza War (2000)
  • The True Story of The Hiroshima Yakuza War: Final Chapter (2000)
  • History of Japan’s Yakuza — Ambition Corps 3 (1999)
  • Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1998) as Saisho Tokugawa
  • Sanada Yukimura: The Man Shogun Ieyasu Feared Most (1998) as Gensai
  • You Don't Know That, Teacher? (1998)
  • An Angel with Many Scars (1997)
  • Kirikomi (1995)
  • Shura ga Yuku (1995)
  • Furuhata Ninzaburo (1994)
  • The Man Who Shot the Don (1994)
  • Emperor of Upheaval (1993)
  • Distant Justice (1992) as Rio Yuki
  • Big Boss (1992)
  • Kita no kuni kara '92 Sudachi Part 1 (1992)
  • Let's Shoot Ridiculously (1991)
  • Jingi (1991)
  • 戦艦大和 (1990)
  • Yellow Fangs (1990)
  • Signal Fool (1990) as Yuzo Yamanaka
  • Tekken (1990) as Seiji Nakamoto
  • Yawara! (1989) as Kumajiro inokuma
  • Crane (1988) as Rich man
  • The Lady in a Black Dress (1987) as Shoji Katsuaki
  • Actress (1987) as Kenji Mizoguchi
  • The Eccentric Shinza (1987) as Shinza
  • The Forced Marriage with Children (1987) as Kumazou
  • Musashibo Benkei (1986) as Tomo
  • The Hall of the Crying Deer (1986)
  • The Burmese Harp (1985) as Platoon Commander
  • The Story of a Man Among Men (1984)
  • Domineering (1982) as Koji Kawakami
  • Tasogare ni hyōteki o ute (1982)
  • To Trap a Kidnapper (1982)
  • Tuesday Suspense Theater (1981)
  • Flames of Blood (1981) as Senkichi
  • Gate of Youth (1981) as Shigezo Ibuki
  • The Lion Era (1980)
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga (1980) as Shozo Hirono
  • Star of David: Beauty Hunting (1979) as Momojirô Hoshi
  • The Man Who Stole the Sun (1979) as Inspector Yamashita
  • Run Truck Rascal, Run! (1979)
  • Down with The Big Boss (1979) as Hachiyo Shunji
  • A 5,000 Kilometer Run under The Scorching Sun (1979)
  • Dog of Fortune (1979) as Lorry driver
  • The Truck Rascals Go to The North (1978)
  • Dynamite Don-Don (1978) as Ongagawa no Kasuke
  • Truck Rascals: Another Odyssey of Momojiro (1978)
  • Shag (1978)
  • Japanese Godfather: Conclusion (1978) as Akira Kawanishi
  • Japanese Godfather: Ambition (1977) as Shinsuke Tembo
  • I Am A Man of Honor (1977)
  • Boxer (1977) as Hayato
  • Japan's Don (1977) as Eizo Iwami
  • Shinjuku's Number One Drunk-Killer Tetsu (1977) as Tetsuji Gondo
  • Truckster of Guts (1977)
  • Japanese Humanity and Justice (1977)
  • New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 3: Last Days of the Boss (1976) as Shuichi Nozaki
  • Truckster Goes to Hokkaido (1976)
  • The Machine Gun Dragon (1976)
  • Truck Rascals in Fever Heat (1976)
  • The Three Ginza Rascals (1976)
  • Cops vs. Thugs (1975) as Detective Kuno
  • New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss (1975) as Shuji Kuroda
  • Great Jailbreak (1975) as Kunizo Kuniiwa
  • Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me (1975) as Momojirô Hoshi - Ichibanboshi
  • Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me (1975) Theme Song Performance
  • The International Gang of Kobe (1975) as Kenzo Otaki
  • The Wild Trucker (1975) as Momojirô Hoshi - Ichibanboshi
  • The Viper Brothers and the Young General (1975)
  • Violent Fraternity (1974)
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode (1974) as Shozo Hirono
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Police Tactics (1974) as Shozo Hirono
  • New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1 (1974) as Makio Miyoshi
  • The Tattooed Hitman (1974) as Ginji Yozokura
  • The Scoundler vs. The Viper Brothers (1974)
  • Father of the Kamikaze (1974)
  • Violent Streets (1974) as Tatsu
  • The Viper Brothers: Up on 30 Charges (1974)
  • Code of Wolves (1974)
  • Student Yakuza (1974)
  • Miracle on Lubang Island: Army Nakano School (1974)
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War (1973) as Shozo Hirono
  • Yokosuka Navy Prison (1973)
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima (1973) as Shozo Hirono
  • Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973) as Shozo Hirono
  • Japan's Top Gangster (1973) as Hachiro Daicho
  • The Viper Brothers: The Blackmailers (1973) as Masa
  • Dangerous Trade in Kobe (1973) as Lee Chung Shun
  • The Viper Brothers: Four and a Half Years in Jail (1973)
  • Yakuza Skirmishes (1972)
  • The Pledge (1972)
  • The Red Silk Gambler (1972) as Masa
  • Turtle Geisha (1972)
  • Withered Tree, the Adventures of Monjiro (1972) as Monjiro
  • Kogarashi Monjiro 2: Secret of Monjiro's Birth (1972) as Monjirô Kogarashi
  • Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers (1972) as Gondo
  • A Yakuza Has His Way (1972) as Ishido Tsuneo
  • Red Peony Gambler: Execution of Duty (1972)
  • The Viper Brothers: Prison Gang 13 (1972)
  • Delinquent Street (1972)
  • Street Mobster (1972) as Isamu Okita
  • The Kanto Scarlet Cherry Gang (1972) as Yuijiro
  • The Viper Brothers: 18 Extortion Threats (1972)
  • Wolves on Motorcycles (1971)
  • Wicked Priest 5: Breaking The Commandments (1971) as Ryutatsu
  • Trials of an Okinawa Village (1971)
  • The Viper Brothers (1971) as Masataro (Goro Masa)
  • The Kanto Brothers' Code of Honor (1971)
  • The Viper Brothers Rage Again (1971)
  • Kigeki Toruko-buro Osho-sen (1971)
  • Kanto Street Peddlers: Violent Fire Festival (1971) as Masaru Kokubun
  • Evil Boss vs. Henchmen (1971) as Hanjiro Murase
  • A Modern Yakuza: Broken Code (1971)
  • A Modern Yakuza: Three Decoy Blood Brothers (1971)
  • The Sucker's Blunt Dagger (1971)
  • Kanto Street Peddlers: Shallow Clan Honor (1971) as Masaru Kokubun
  • Bitter Tears of a Woman Gambler (1971)
  • Hooligans on Buggies (1970)
  • Whipmaster: Ballad of Murder (1970) as Blind Priest Ryotatsu
  • The Swindlers (1970)
  • Postwar Secrets (1970) as Shin'ichi Yamada
  • Wolves of the City, Money Hunters (1970)
  • Code Between Brothers: All New (1970)
  • Wolves of the City: Checkmate (1970)
  • Modern Chivarly: Sworn Brothers (1970)
  • Red Peony Gambler: Oryu's Return (1970) as Aoyama Tsunejiro
  • A Lively Geisha (1970) as Yukichi
  • Bloodstained Clan of Honor (1970) as Gunji
  • The Last Kamikaze (1970) as Lieutenant Satake
  • The Japan Derby Race (1970)
  • Gambler's Code - Loyalty Offering (1970)
  • Fugitive Scoundrel (1970) as Izumi Tatsuya
  • Kanto Street Peddlers: Clan Violent Loyalty (1970) as Masaru Kokubun
  • Thugs of Shinjuku (1970)
  • Kigeki Gyanburu Hisshôhô (1970)
  • Wicked Priest 4: The Killer Priest Comes Back (1970) as Ryutatsu
  • Kanto Street Peddlers: Royal Temple Duel (1970) as Masaru Kokubun
  • Wolf Escort (1969)
  • The Bad Boss 3 (1969)
  • Japan Organized Crime Boss (1969) as Tsutomu Kazama
  • Brothers Serving Time (1969) as Tatsuo Yaguchi
  • Memoir of Japanese Assassinations (1969) as Heigo Asahi
  • The Private Police (1969)
  • Delinquent Boss: Wolves of the City (1969)
  • Team of Ruffians (1969)
  • Kanto Street Peddlers (1969) as Masaru Kokubun
  • Yakuza Law (1969)
  • Wicked Priest 3: A Killer's Pilgrimage (1969)
  • A Modern Yakuza: The Code of the Lawless (1969)
  • Yakuza on Foot (1969) as Tamotsu Asai
  • Woman Boss: Chivalrous Fight (1969) as Shuichi Kitahashi
  • A Modern Yakuza: Humanity and Justice of the Outlaw (1969)
  • Brothers'Code - The Back Relation (1968)
  • Enlisted Yakuza (1968)
  • Red Peony Gambler: Gambler's Obligation (1968) as Shiraishi
  • Wicked Priest (1968) as Ryotatsu
  • Wicked Priest 2: Ballad of Murder (1968) as Ryutatsu
  • Bakeneko: A Vengeful Spirit (1968) as Shibayama Ukon
  • Rogue (1968) as Ichiro Yamakawa
  • Scoundrel (1968)
  • The Marked Man (1968)
  • Rebellion of Japan (1967)
  • Under the Stars of Singapore (1967)
  • A Story from Abashiri Prison—Duel in Snow Storm (1967) as Mamushi
  • Flame and the Code (1966) as Ôtsu
  • The Kii River (1966) as School principal
  • Face of the Dice (1966)
  • By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him (1966)
  • Opium Plateau: Hell Squad, Charge! (1966)
  • Secret Agent 101 (1966)
  • Sword: Flower-Strewn Path of Courage (1966) as Minoru Akihara
  • A Sky Full of Tears (1966) as Sakaki
  • Blood and Law (1965)
  • Zoku seiun yakuza - ikari no otoko (1965)
  • King of the Highway (1965)
  • Escape and the Law (1965)
  • High-Ranking Yakuza (1965)
  • Destroyer Yukikaze (1964)
  • Samurai from Somewhere (1964) as Yoshioka Shinnosuke
  • The Scent of Incense (1964) as Sugiura
  • The Shape of Night (1964) as Tamura
  • Melody of Crime (1964)
  • A Legend or Was It? (1963) as Goichi Takamori
  • 見上げてごらん夜の星を (1963)
  • For Love and Money (1963)
  • Tōkyō sanosa musume (1962)
  • Marriage of the Sky and the Sea (1962)
  • August Moon (1962) as Ishikawa
  • Gakusei geisha koi to kenka (1962)
  • Ōwarai Jiro chō ikka: Sanshita nitei kenjū (1962)
  • Otoko no Uta (1962)
  • Student Executive (1961)
  • Love New and Old (1961) as Kenji
  • Invitation to the Enchanted Town (1961)
  • Straight Talk on Romance: The Definitive Guide (1961)
  • Brutal Woman (1960) as Hiroshi Taniguchi
  • Female Slave Ship (1960) as Sugawa
  • This Is a Man's World (1960) as Toshio Sugawara
  • Female Thief and the Bomb (1960) as Nobuo Asakura
  • Enigmatic Explosion of the Battleship Mutsu (1960) as Lieutenant Matsumoto
  • Five Violent Girls (1960) as Kazuhiko Nanjô
  • Female Detective (1960) as Sugiyama
  • Kôshitsu to sensô to waga minzoku (1960) as Captain Uehara
  • Crazy Desire (1959)
  • The Blood Sword of the 99th Virgin (1959) as Masayuki Abe
  • Haunted Cave (1959) as Detective Nonomiya
  • Fight to the Death in a Blizzard (1959)
  • Aishu no machi ni kiri ga furu (1956) as Nakagawa, a student
  • 警視庁殺人課

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Bunta Sugawara best known for?

Bunta Sugawara is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Wolf Children (2012), Tales from Earthsea (2006), Toshiie and Matsu (2002), Spirited Away (2001).

When and where was Bunta Sugawara born?

Bunta Sugawara was born on August 16, 1933 in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. They passed away on November 28, 2014.

How many credits does Bunta Sugawara have?

Bunta Sugawara has accumulated over 231 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2013.

What is Bunta Sugawara's background in cinema and television?

Bunta Sugawara was a Japanese actor known for his extensive career in cinema. Throughout his professional life, he appeared in over 200 Japanese feature films. He gained particular prominence for his work within the yakuza genre, appearing in numerous productions of that type. Sugawara passed away at the age of 81. His...

Bunta Sugawara by the numbers

231credits
221films
10TV series
1956–2013active years

Age in their best-rated roles

Full filmography (231) Born on August 16 In memoriam 2014

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