Kodokan 2012 - Kodokan Kendo

Harakiri: Film directed by Masaki Kobayashi and starring Tatsuya Nakadai. A samurai tale used to create an indictment of modern (1962) Japanese politics. Story tells of a samurai wishing to commit seppuku in a daimyo's house but first his vengeful story of why is told.

The Twighlight Samurai: Directed by Yoji Yamada. Story of Seibei Iguchi, a low ranking samurai in the mid 19th century Japan as feudalism breaks down.

The Hidden Blade: Also directed by Yoji Yamada and again a film about a low ranking samurai in the mid 19th century but with quite a different outlook on a samurai's responsibilities and therefore outcome.

When the Last Sword is Drawn: Another film from the Meiji restoration, this time directed by Yojiro Takita. Story is about a samurai who joins the Shinsengumi for the money to support his family in the country and is frowned upon for this mercenary approach, but utimately earns the respect of the city samurai.

Goyokin: Starring Tatsuya Nakadai as a samurai haunted by the guilt of one massacre attempting to stop another.

Samurai Rebellion:Directed by Masaki Kobayashi and starring Toshiro Mifune with Tatsuya Nakadai. Drama about a Samurai who chooses to rebel against his feudal lord whose service he has spent his entire life in, for the sake of his son.

The Zatoichi Series: 25 films released from 1962 to 1973 plus another in 1989 and a TV series from 1974 to 1979. Follow this link to a list of all the films and reviews on most.

Zatoichi: remake by Kitano "Beat" Takeshi. Entertaining film with good sword fighting, plenty of (exagerated) blood and finishing with a tap dance.

Seven Samurai: Akira Kurosawa classic from 1956 that inspired 'The Magnificent Seven'. Released on Criterion Collection in the US and as a British Film Institute release in the UK.

Yojimbo: Another Kurosawa classic from 1962. Again this film inspired by westerns, itself inspired the man with no name character played by Clint Eastwood in the 'Fistful of Dollars' movies and also the 'Last Man Standing' starring Bruce Willis. Another US Criterion, UK BFI DVD release.

Samurai I, II & III:Trilogy of films starring Toshiro Mifune and directed by Hiroshi Inagaki. The films are based on Eiji Yoshikawa's book 'Musashi' and the first part won the 1955 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Available from Criterion Collection region 1 or from Warrior as region 0 in UK (Titled using the films alternative titles, Musashi Miyamoto, Duel at Ichijoji Temple and Duel at Ganryu Island). Criterion are also about to release a box set of the three.

Ran: Kurosawa's last samurai film, based on Shakespeare's 'King Lear'. Star's Tatsuya Nakadai as Lord Hidetora Ichimonji who hands his lands over to his sons only to regret it later.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Series of films about a Ronin and his child, starring Tomisaburo Wakayama.

Samurai Fiction: Samurai meets MTV. Directed by Hiroyuki Nakano and starring Japanese rock star Tomoyasu Hotei. This is also known as SF: Episode One.

Throne of Blood: Akira Kurosawa classic once again adapted from William Shakespeare but mixed with elements of Japanese Noh theatre. This time it is Macbeth, made in 1957 and starring Toshiro Mifune, it is released on Criterion Collection in the US and BFI in the UK.

Rashomon Another Kurosawa film, this time from 1950. Widely regarded, it looks at the nature of truth and has served as a template for many later films, most notably in the west, The Outrage starring Paul Newman. This is another US Criterion, UK BFI DVD release.

Chushingura: Meaning "Loyalty" is a film about the 47 Ronin, stars include actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura, this was directed by Hiroshi Inagake who also directed the Samurai Trilogy. This is available on DVD in the US though not the UK

Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2: Quentin Tarantino's homage to Yakuza, Samurai and Hong Kong Kung Fu films. Released in 2 parts the first part is more sword action while the second is more 'Western'. Part 1 & Part 2 are both readily available.

New Tales of the Taira Clan: Directed by one of Japan's eminent directors, Kenji Mizoguchi, The film is set in the 12th century when samurai ceased to be just hired fighters and took over as the dominant class in Japanese society. Only available on UK video at the moment.

Lady Snowblood: Adapted from a manga comic by Kasuo Koike who also wrote Lone Wolf and Cub this film is a samurai revenge film with the twist of the person seeking the revenge being a woman. Meiko Kaji plays the title role and also sings the theme song 'Flower of Carnage' which was used in Kill Bill with the character of O-Ren Ishii inspired by this film.Available on DVD in the US.

Samurai Banners: Starring Toshiro Mifune and made for his production company, this film is about a samurai who is the power behind Lord Shingen's Takeda clan during the late 16th century whose aim is to achieve a united Japan.This is only available on UK video.

Kagemusha: Another film about the late 16th century and Lord Shingen of the Takeda clan, this film was directed by Akira Kurosawa and executive produced by George Lucas and Francis Ford Copolla. It put Kurosawa back in the limelight and enabled him to make his masterpiece Ran. Available on UK DVD or US video

The Yakuza: One of those films Tarantino was inspired by, Robert Mitchum stars in this american film directed by Sydney Pollack, that deals with obligation or 'giri'. Now available on DVD from Amazon.

13 Assassins. Cult director Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Audition) delivers a bravado period action film set at the end of Japan’s feudal era. 13 Assassins - a “masterful exercise in cinematic butchery” (New York Post) – is centered around a group of elite samurai who are secretly enlisted to bring down a sadistic lord in order to prevent him from ascending to the throne and plunging the country into a war torn future. Starring: Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki, Masachika Ichimura, Mikijiro Hira, Hiroki Matsukata, Ikki Sawamura, Arata Furuta. Available on DVD from Amazon

Of course no film list would now be complete without the 'Epic' The Last Samurai - Meiji era Hollywood Samurai film. Nominated for 4 Oscars and winning the Japanese Academy award for best foreign film.Starring: Tom Cruise (who also co-produced), Ken Watanabe, Shin Koyamada, Tony Goldwyn, Hiroyuki Sanada, Timothy Spall, Billy Connolly. Available on DVD from Amazon