was a Japanese film director. He is well known for directing several installments of the Zatoichi and Nemuri Kyōshirō film series.
Biography Tanaka graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University. In 1948, he joined the Daiei studio and started working as an assistant director under Kon Ichikawa, Kenji Mizoguchi and Kazuo Mori etc. In 1958, Tanaka was promoted to director and debuted with Bakeneko Goyōda. Tanaka received the Japan Directors Guild Special award for his Akumyō series films. In 1971, he was released from his contract with Daiei and become a freelance director when the studio shut down film production. As a freelance director he directed a lot of jidaigeki television dramas such as Hissatsu series.
His final work was in the 2007 short film Shonen Kawachiondotori Monogatari. In December 2007, he died of Intracranial hemorrhage.
Selected filmography TitleFilmography from Release dateNotesRashomon1950Assistant directorThe Tales of the Wave after the Rain Moon1953Assistant directorSansho the Bailiff1954Assistant directorThe Crucified Lovers1954Assistant directorBakeneko Goyōda1958Ukare Sandogasa1959The Demon of Mount OeOe-yama Shutendōshi1960Nuregami Botan1961Akumyō1961Hanakurabe Tanuki Dōchu1961Ken ni Kakeru1962The Whale God1962Enter Kyōshirō Nemuri the SwordmanNemuri Kyōshirō Sappōjō1963New Tale of ZatoichiShin Zatōichi Monogatari1963Shutō1963Zatoichi the FugitiveZatōichi Kyōjōtabi1963Shinobi no Mono 4: SiegeShinobi no Mono Kirigakure Saizō1963Yadonashi Inu1964Kojiki Taishō1964Hoodlum Soldier and the C.O.1965Akai Shuriken1965The BetrayalDaisatsujin Orochi1966Remake of the 1925 silent film OrochiZatoichi's Vengeance1966Assignment Dragon No.31966Hoodlum Soldier on the AttackHeitai Yakuza Nagurikomi1967Heitai Yakuza Ore ni Makasero1967The Night FlyingHikisakareta Shōsō1967Sleepy Eyes of Death 10: Hell Is a WomanNemuri Kyōshirō Jorōjigoku1967The Snow WomanKaidan Yukijorō1968Secrets of a Women's TempleHiroku Onnadera1969Tejō Muyō1969Haunted CastleHiroku Kaibōden1969Tobira wa Hirakareta1975Shōnen Kawachiond Monogatari2007
Television Ronin of the Wilderness (1972–74) Nemuri Kyōshirō (1972) (ep. 2, 4, 13, 14, 19 and 20) Hissatsu Shiokinin (1973) (ep. 20) Tasukenin Hashiru (1973–74) (ep. 18, 19, 23, 24, 28, 31 and 34) Kurayami Shitomenin (1974) (ep. 5, 6, 15 and 20) Kenkaku Shōbai (ep. 2, 4, 12 and 13) Amigasa Jūbei (1974–75) (ep. 1, 2, 16, 17 and 18) Nagasaki Hangachōu (1975) (ep. 9, 10 and 16) Hissatsu Shiokiya Kagyō (1975) (ep. 24) Zatoichi (1974–78) Season 1 Episode 6, 7, and 10 (1974) S2 Episode 9, 12 (1976) S4 Episode 20 (1979) Akō Rōshi (1979) (ep. 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11) Hissatsu Shigotonin (1979–81) (ep. 19, 21, 28, 42, 43, 47, 48, 52, 53, 58, 59, 66, 69, 70, 75, 77 and 80) Shin Hissatsu Shigotonin (1981–82) (ep. 3, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 29, 30, 35, 37, 43, 47, 52 and 53) Hissatsu Shigotonin III (1982–83) (ep. 1, 3, 6, 12, 16, 24, 25 and 32) Hissatsu Watashinin (1983) (ep. 1, 2 and 6) Hissatsu Shigotonin IV (1983–84) (ep. 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 15, 21, 29, 32 and 38) Hissatsu Shikirinin (1984) (ep. 13 and 15) Hissatsu Shigotonin V (1985) (ep. 3, 6 and 11) Hissatsu Shigotonin V Gekitouhen (ep. 5) Hissatsu Shigotonin V Senpuhen (1986–87) (ep. 3, 6 and 9) Nemuri Kyōshirō (1989) (TV Movie) Abare Hasshū Goyō Tabi (1990–91) (Season 1 ep. 1, 3 and 6), (Season 2, ep. 10, 12, 22 and 23)
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