Yoichi Hayashi

Professional Killers

Sanai Nishimura

A shikakenin was an under-the-cover trade that undertook killing in Edo. Hanemon of Otowa, an agency that introduced laborers and maids, was also one of these. Katsugoro Iseya was a timber dealer who had come in as a client. His target was the constructions magistrate Hanno, and the Tatsumiya who sipped on the benefits. Hanemon who had a stong code towards killing, where he would only kill those who do no good to be in the world, accepts this request. Baian Fujieda, a needle doctor would carry out the killing. However, the professional killer Baian fails to bring down Tatsumiya. Hanemon then looks to another shikakenin, the ronin Sanai Nishimura for the role. Although Sanai's ability with the sword is good, he lives poorly in a tenement, and accepts this commission on the condition that it is kept a secret from his wife and child. Here, they close in on Hanno and Tatsumiya again...

Asa ga Kita

Imai Tadamasa

Towards the end of the Edo era, in the town of Kyoto, there lived a wealthy merchant by the name of Imai Tadamasa. He was blessed with 3 children, Hatsu, Asa and Kyutaro. His eldest, Hatsu, was a traditional girl who loved to play the koto and sew. Whilst his second daughter, Asa, was an impish hoyden who loved sumo wrestling. Asa was engaged to be married to the second son of a distinguished family who ran a money changer business in Osaka, Shirooka Shinjiro. Although Asa was furious when she had first heard about the betrothal, when she met up with Shinjiro for the first time, his charisma greatly attracted her and she fell in love with him in no time.

Akō Rōshi

Hotta Hayato

"Ako Roshi" is a group of 47 former retainers of Lord Asano. Lord Asano was forced to commit suicide after attempting to kill Lord Kira. Once the retainers hear about their Lord's death, they sacrifice their lives to regain the honor of their former master.

Kwaidan

Attendant (segment "Hoichi the Earless")

Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning "ghost story," this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his rescue comes at a cost. Blind musician Hoichi is forced to perform for an audience of ghosts. An author relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior's reflection in his teacup.

Japanese Masterpiece Ghost Story Theatre

«Japanese Masterpiece Ghost Story Theatre» - is a 13-episode series based on classic Japanese ghost stories.

Hashū Hankachō

Kanto Torishimari Shutsuyaku Sakon Oyamada and Shinbei Asano, called "Hashū-sama" by the people. Sakon, a family man, and Shinbei, a serious man, travel around the crime-ridden Kanto region and solve crimes...

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril

Yagyu Gunbei

Ogami Itto is hired to kill a tattooed female assassin and battles Retsudo, head of the Yagyu clan, and his son Gunbei.

Onna: Sono Ai no Series

Collection of short stories about women in various periods of Japanese history. Based on famous Japanese novels.

日本巌窟王

Mizuno

No description available

History of Jirocho Shimizu

A historical chivalric drama with tears and laughter, telling the story of Jirocho Shimizu's family, his confrontation with Katsuzo Kurokoma's family, right up to the final battle on the Tenryu River to avenge Ishimatsu Mori.

Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro

Young Sentaro struggles to avenge the murder of his younger sister Osuga and their father.

Professional Killers – Assignment by Night

Jyugoro Kosugi

Three assassins take on a band of thieves who specialize in murder.

The Protector

Mine, the only daughter of Kiyagen, is faced with running the family's timber business when her father falls ill. Under a great deal of pressure to continue the five generation long run of the business, Mine is put to the ultimate test when a former gangster sets his sights on closing her down.

Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi

Nezumi Kozō is the nickname of Nakamura Jirokichi, a Japanese thief and folk hero who lived in Edo during the Edo period. His exploits have been commemorated in kabuki theatre, folk songs, jidaigeki, and modern pop culture.

The Actress vs. the Greedy Sharks

Yamitaro

Framed by his enemies, Manbe finds himself imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. His only hope lies with his daughter Yuki who takes it upon herself to clear his name.

Fangs of Darkness 2: Ieyasu's Head

Ichibei teams up with Chief Jindayo of the Goomune (Japan’s gypsies’) in order to steal the shogunate’s solid gold statue of Ieyasu which might bankrupt the central government and complete his revenge against the Tokugawa by toppling them from the seat of power. Meanwhile a mysterious swordsman has entered the area while trying to keep his true identity secret. Will his bloody blade help or hinder Ichibei’s quest for retribution? Will their actions change the course of Japanese history?

Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi hissatsu no shiraha

Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi

A gripping and entertaining historical drama that follows the actions of the thief Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi during the Edo period.

Professional Killers – Assassin's Quarry

Jyugoro Kosugi

An assassin is mistaken for a doctor and threatened by a band of masterless warriors, but they realize their mistake and retreat into the darkness. Days later, he is asked to kill the doctor's brother. What secrets are these men hiding?

The Shogun's Vault I

Tomizo, a master storehouse-breaker who has been released from prison in Denmacho after serving five years plans to break into the Edo Castle gold storehouse to avenge the death of his father, who died a violent death at a gold mine on Sado Island. With the help of Hanji, a playboy who took care of him in prison, as his partner, Tomizo decides on the night of fireworks to be held in Edo Castle as the day to carry out his plan. Kanpei, a wise man, is suspicious of the plan.

Grave of the Ooku Spirits

The family was destroyed by the Tokugawa clan before the founding of Edo, and when Ietsuna destroyed the shrine, it began to be haunted. The ghost of a woman haunts Yajima-no-Kyoku and tries to kill her and her son, but the heart of a man overcomes the ghost.