[Jimbocho Theater] An Overwhelming Filmography of Two Genius Directors Who Left Their Mark on Japanese Film History! Special Screening "Sadao Yamanaka and Tai Kato" to be Held! - Starting June 20 (Sat)

Jimbocho Theater, a renowned cinema in the book town, screens classic Japanese films on film, focusing on works from various angles including directors, actors, and themes.

Starting June 20th (Saturday), we will hold a special screening event titled "Sadao Yamanaka and Tai Kato" to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of film director Tai Kato.

Tai Kato (1916-1985), a leading film director of Toei during the golden age of program pictures, was a hitmaker who handled period dramas starring actors like Kinosuke Nakamura and Hashizo Okawa, as well as yakuza films starring Ken Takakura. He is also known as a genius director who captivated passionate film fans with his unique visual beauty, created with his own distinct approach such as actors performing without makeup, and his signature low-angle shots and long takes.

Film director Sadao Yamanaka (1909-1938) was a legendary genius director who died of illness at the young age of 28. Tai Kato entered the film industry seeking guidance from his uncle, Yamanaka, and continued to forge his path in the film world even after Yamanaka's death, carrying on his legacy.

This special event, held to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Kato's birth, will feature his representative works along with all three of Yamanaka's surviving directorial masterpieces. We invite you to enjoy the overwhelming filmography of these two genius directors who have left an indelible mark on Japanese film history, on the big screen.

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《Special Screening Event》

Commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Film Director Tai Kato's Birth

Sadao Yamanaka and Tai Kato

June 20, 2026 (Sat) - July 10, 2026 (Fri)

Jimbocho Theater

(1-23 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo TEL.03-5281-5132)

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Admission Fees: General 1400 yen, Seniors 1200 yen, Students 1000 yen

Jimbocho Theater Website

https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/jinbocho-theater/

Link to the "Sadao Yamanaka and Tai Kato" Special Screening Page

https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/jinbocho-theater/features/2026-06-20_yamanaka-kato.html

【Screening Films】

Directed by Sadao Yamanaka

Ninjō Kamifūsen (Humanity and Paper Balloons)
1937
Starring: Chōjūrō Kawarasaki, Kanyūemon Nakamura, Noboru Kiridachi

Nezumi Kozō Jirokichi (The Tale of Nezumi Kozo)
1935 Original Story: Fubō Hayashi
Starring: Denjirō Ōkōchi, Kiyozo, Kunitarō Sawamura

Sōshun Ryū (Kōchiyama Sōshun)
1936
Starring: Chōjūrō Kawarasaki, Kanyūemon Nakamura, Setsuko Hara

Directed by Tai Kato

Kaze to Onna to Tabi Garasu (Wind, Woman, and Traveling Crows)
1958
Starring: Kinosuke Nakamura, Rentarō Mikuni, Satomi Oka

Kaze no Bushi (The Wind Warrior)
1964 Original Story: Ryōtarō Shiba
Starring: Hashizō Okawa, Hiroko Sakuragi, Yoko Nogiwa

Hibotan Bakuto: Fuda Gashōbu (The Scarlet Peony Gambler: Flower Card Showdown)
1969 Original Story: Kyūichi Ishimoto
Starring: Junko Fuji, Ken Takakura, Tomisaburō Wakayama

Maboroshi no Haha (Mother of My Eyes)
1962 Original Story: Shin Hasegawa
Starring: Kinosuke Nakamura, Hiroki Matsukata, Michiyo Kōno

Tange Sazen: Kōun Konryū no Maki (Tange Sazen: The Cloud and Dragon Scrolls)
1962 Original Story: Fubō Hayashi
Starring: Ryūtarō Ōtomo, Nahoko Kubo, Hiroko Sakuragi

Sanada Fūunroku (The Sanada Whirlwind Chronicle)
1963 Original Story: Yoshiyuki Fukuda
Starring: Kinosuke Nakamura, Misako Watanabe, Jerry Fujio

Kutsukake Tokijirō: Yūkyō Ippiki (Tokijiro Kutsukake: A Lone Wanderer)
1966 Original Story: Shin Hasegawa
Starring: Kinosuke Nakamura, Junko Ikeuchi, Kiyoshi Atsumi

Hone made Shaburu (Lick It to the Bone)
1966
Starring: Hiroko Sakuragi, Nahoko Kubo, Isao Natsuyagi

Honō no Gotoku (Like a Flame)
1981 Original Story: Kōichi Iiboshi
Starring: Bunta Sugawara, Mitsuko Baishō, Tamao Nakamura

Total: 12 films

◎Please check the theater's website for screening schedules and detailed information.