Tokuzō Tanaka

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 1971, he was released from his contract with Daiei and become a freelance director when the studio shut down film production.

Selected filmography

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)