Akinori Matsuo

Jimmy Wang Yu stars in his first major modern-day role, in the same year he revolutionized martial arts cinema in One-Armed Swordsman. Here he has both his arms, and he's going to need them to survive the homicidal desires of Japanese gold smugglers. To spice things up even further, there's femme fatales, damsels-in-distress, and even killer strippers. From the first bomb to the final corpse (crushed by gold bars), this is a camp classic of amazing proportions. (hkcinemagic.com)

Lily Ho is perfectly cast as a gun-for-hire who always gets her man, in more ways than one. Shaw Brothers imported Japanese director Matsuo Akinori (giving him the Chinese name Mai Chi-ho) to give Lily's exploits an exotic flair, and the cast and crew shot on location in such Japanese scenic spots as Mount Fuji. There are plenty of over-the-top thrills as Lily even masquerades as a nun. Hong Kong Movie News pronounced this "A must for Lily Ho's fans." (hkcinemagic.com)

The crescent shaped scar on his forehead is a license given him by the Shogun to kill anyone he deems to be a villain. A strong performance that reflects well upon his father, with interesting stories, these films are required viewing. When Saotome hears rumors of a Daimyo's plot to overthrow the Shogun, he launches an investigation. With the help of his sister Kikuji, his stewart, Kinai and a mysterious woman they begin to unravel the web of treachery. (japanesesamuraidvd)

By Ash_Campbell Ryuji (Hideki Takahashi) is a yakuza released from prison trying to re-establish the Oshima clan. Throw in the long suffering girlfriend Haruko (Masako Izumi), rival clans, and the mysterious provocateur Enshu Tora (Jo Shishido) (Letterbox'd)

Formerly a secret agent of the shogunate, Sanzo and Yumenogosuke are now on the run, with their lives in danger, and make their way to Kurume Castle in Kyushu. Sanzo extorts an official patrolman but is caught and thrown in jail. Meanwhile, Gosuke meets Tanokura Tanosuke and Otoyo, a street performer couple traveling with their son, Daikichi. However, they are attacked by a group of samurai. Saved by a female swordsman dressed as a man, the Tanokura family heads for Hiyoshi.