Drama · Japan · 1943 · 1h 20m

Sanshiro Sugata

姿三四郎

Sanshiro Sugata poster
Director
Akira Kurosawa
Cast
Denjirō Ōkōchi as Shogoro Yano Susumu Fujita as Sanshiro Sugata Yukiko Todoroki as Sayo Murai Ryūnosuke Tsukigata as Gennosuke Higaki Takashi Shimura as Hansuke Murai, Sayo's father Ranko Hanai as Osumi Kodana
Crew
Akira Mimura — Director of Photography Toshio Goto — Editor Akira Kurosawa — Editor Seiichi Suzuki — Original Music Composer Akira Kurosawa — Screenplay Tsuneo Tomita — Novel
Synopsis

A hotheaded youth in 1880s Meiji Japan apprentices to judo master Shōgorō Yano, trading brute jujutsu bravado for discipline and humility. As Sanshirō matures, he proves judo’s spirit against old-guard challengers—including a deadly duel—while falling for his vanquished opponent’s daughter. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo.

Mood & Themes
based on novel or bookjudojujitsupartially lost filmadaptation
Key Collaborators
Akira Kurosawa Director Akira Mimura Director of Photography Toshio Goto Editor Akira Kurosawa Editor Seiichi Suzuki Original Music Composer Akira Kurosawa Screenplay Tsuneo Tomita Novel Keiji Matsuzaki Producer
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Akira Kurosawa directed Sanshiro Sugata. Explore their complete filmography and the collaborators who shaped their vision.

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