Kazuo Mori
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- January 15, 1911 in Matsuyama, Japan
- Died
- June 29, 1989
- Active Years
- 1938–1983 (46 Years)
- Total Credits
- 112 credits in database
Biography
Kazuo Mori, also known as Issei Mori, was a Japanese film director born in Matsuyama, Japan, on January 15, 1911. He began his career as a jidai-geki director during the silent film era of the 1930s. In the postwar years, he became a leading director at the Daiei studio, frequently collaborating with studio stars such as Shintaro Katsu and Raizo Ichikawa. During the 1960s and 1970s, Mori established himself alongside Kenji Misumi as a dependable director of chambara franchise series, contributing to installments of Zatoichi, Kyoshiro Nemuri, and Shinobi No Mono. His work was characterized by clear, intelligent storytelling and innovative camera techniques. His known credits include 128 works, with films such as Suzakumon, Samurai Vendetta, Vendetta of a Samurai, Wrath of Daimajin, and Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold. Mori passed away on June 29, 1989.
Career overview
Kazuo Mori was born on January 15, 1911, in Matsuyama, Japan. Also known by his street name Issei Mori, he began his career as a jidai-geki director in the silent films of the 1930s. Over his career, he worked as a director and assistant director, accumulating 128 known credits.
In the postwar years, Mori became a leading director at Daiei, where he worked regularly with the studio's familiar stars such as Shintaro Katsu and Raizo Ichikawa. During the 1960s and 1970s, he established himself alongside Kenji Misumi as one of the most dependable names in chambara franchise series. His work during this period included directing installments of Zatoichi, Kyoshiro Nemuri, and Shinobi No Mono. Mori's filmmaking was characterized by clear, intelligent storytelling and innovative camera techniques.
Among his notable works as a director are Suzakumon in 1957, Samurai Vendetta in 1959, and Vendetta of a Samurai in 1952. His acclaimed films also include The Tale of Zatoichi Continues in 1962, Zatoichi and the Doomed Man in 1965, Wrath of Daimajin in 1966, and Zatoichi at Large in 1972. His most recent movie was Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold, released in 1983. Mori passed away on June 29, 1989, at the age of 78.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
112 titles- Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold (1983) Director
- The Bored Samurai (1983) Director
- Messengers to Satsuma (1982) Director
- Kenkaku Shōbai: Tsujigiri (1982) Director
- The King and His Vassal 2 - The Great Riot of Edo (1982) Director
- The King and His Vassal (1981) Director
- Keishi-K (1980) Director
- Yokomizo Seishi Series (1977) Director
- Please Hire Me! (1976) Director
- Priest of Darkness (1975) Director
- Zatoichi Monogatari (1974) Director
- Hashū Hankachō (1974) Director
- Mute Samurai (1973) Director
- Kogarashi Monjiro (1972) Director
- Zatoichi at Large (1972) Director
- Wakaki hi no kōdōkan (1971) Director
- The Killer's Killer (1970) Director
- Mission: Iron Castle (1970) Director
- Easy Money (1970) Director
- The Curse of the Ghost (1969) Director
- Sleepy Eyes of Death 13: The Full Moon Swordsman (1969) Director
- Kanto Woman Infamy (1969) Director
- Kanto Onna Gokudo (1969) Director
- 出獄四十八時間 (1969) Director
- The Saga of Tanegashima (1968) Director
- Bad Reputation: The Notorious Men and Their Specialty (1968) Director
- Secret Report From A House Of Women (1968) Director
- A Killer's Key (1967) Director
- A Certain Killer (1967) Director
- Spy on the Masked Car (1967) Director
- Young Boss, Fugitive (1967) Director
- Wrath of Daimajin (1966) Director
- Shinobi no mono 7: Mist Saizo Strikes Back (1966) Director
- The Front Line Showdown (1966) Director
- Assignment Cloud (1966) Director
- ほんだら捕物帖 (1966) Director
- Zatoichi and the Doomed Man (1965) Director
- Shinobi No Mono 6: The Last Iga Spy (1965) Director
- Rampaging Dog (1965) Director
- 駿河遊侠伝 度胸がらす (1965) Director
- ほんだら剣法 (1965) Director
- Suruga Yūkyōden: Gambling Hall Robbery (1964) Director
- Bad Reputation: The Big Drum (1964) Director
- The Man Disappears Yesterday (1964) Director
- The Gambling Samurai (1964) Director
- Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection (1963) Director
- Bad Reputation: The Notorious Harbor (1963) Director
- Bad Reputation: Imposter's Paradise (1963) Director
- The Confusing Journey of Jirocho (1963) Director
- The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962) Director
- Yôki na tono-sama (1962) Director
- Third Generation's Loyalty Offering (1962) Director
- The Notorious Man's Return (1962) Director
- Keshin (1962) Director
- 170 Leagues to Edo (1962) Director
- Three Young Samurai (1961) Director
- The Old Temple Well (1961) Director
- The Radiant Prince (1961) Director
- Satan's Sword III: The Final Chapter (1961) Director
- A Wife Confesses (1961)
- Song of Sado (1961) Director
- Her Brother (1960)
- The Blind Menace (1960) Director
- Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous (1960) Director
- Mission Accomplished (1960) Director
- Lord Tadanao (1960) Director
- Jirocho Fuji (1959) Director
- Samurai Vendetta (1959) Director
- Peony on the Skin (1959) Director
- Lord Nobunaga's Early Days (1959) Director
- Akado Suzunosuke vs. the Birdman with 3 Eyes (1958) Director
- The Swishing Sword (1958) Director
- The 7th Secret Agent to Edo (1958) Director
- Advance Patrol (1957) Director
- Yataro’s Travel Hat (1957) Director
- Love of the Princess (1957) Director
- Inazuma Kaidō (1957) Director
- Mangorō Tengu (1957) Director
- Case Files of Zenigata Heiji: The Human-Skin Spider (1956) Director
- Fighting Fire Fighter (1956) Director
- 刑事部屋 (1956) Director
- Marathon Samurai (1956) Director
- Tôjûrô no koi (1955) Director
- Farewell Song (1955) Director
- Koina no Ginpei (1954) Director
- The Tattoo Murder Case (1953) Director
- Picture Book of Sarutobi Sasuke (1953) Director
- Coward at Ganryu Island (1952) Director
- Vendetta of a Samurai (1952) Director
- New Journey of Yaji and Kita (1952) Director
- Judge of the Ashuras (1951) Director
- Tsuki no shussen (1950) Director
- Ship of Outlaws (1950) Director
- Confessions of a Gynecologist (1950) Director
- A Bullet Hole Underground (1949) Director
- My Name Is Mistress (1949) Director
- Guren bosatsu (1949) Director
- Oshidori gasa (1948) Director
- Wildcat Lady or Mountain Cat Woman (1948) Director
- Nerawareta onna (1948) Director
- Black Cloud Road (1948) Director
- Female Police Officer (1947) Director
- Tree of Life (1947) Director
- Ryūkoden (1947) Director
- Tebukuro o nugasu otoko (1946) Director
- Yari-odori gojūsantsugi (1946) Director
- Ōsaka chōnin (1942) Director
- Masujiro Omura (1942) Director
- Sandai no sakazuki (1942) Director
- 夫婦太鼓 (1941) Director
- A Color Print of Edo (1939) Director
- Monster Cat Akabe Daimyojin (1938) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kazuo Mori best known for?
Kazuo Mori is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Clouds of Glass (1958), Zatoichi Monogatari (1974), Kogarashi Monjiro (1972), Zatoichi at Large (1972).
When and where was Kazuo Mori born?
Kazuo Mori was born on January 15, 1911 in Matsuyama, Japan. They passed away on June 29, 1989.
How many credits does Kazuo Mori have?
Kazuo Mori has accumulated over 112 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1938 to 1983.
What is Kazuo Mori's background in cinema and television?
Kazuo Mori, also known as Issei Mori, was a Japanese film director born in Matsuyama, Japan, on January 15, 1911. He began his career as a jidai-geki director during the silent film era of the 1930s. In the postwar years, he became a leading director at the Daiei studio, frequently collaborating with studio stars such ...
Kazuo Mori by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Her Brother (1960) — aged about 49
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