Personal Info
Birth date
1932-11-23 (92 Years)
Day of death
2021-03-24
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Toki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Also known as
田中邦卫
Kunie Tanaka
Biography
Kunie Tanaka (田中 邦衛 Tanaka Kunie, November 23, 1932 - March 24, 2021) was a Japanese actor. He had his first notable role in 1960 as a thug in Akira Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well, and worked with the director again on Sanjuro. Tanaka is well known for his roles in Kinji Fukasaku's yakuza films, namely the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. He also appeared in Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan. He has been nominated for five Japanese Academy Awards, winning the Best Supporting Actor statuette for Gakko in 1993. He appeared as the lecherous Shinjiro Ishiyama, nicknamed Aodaishō, the antagonist of the hero, played by Yūzō Kayama, in all of the Wakadaishō series of films. The character Kizaru, from Eiichiro Oda's manga series One Piece, is modeled after Tanaka.
Filmography
Submersion of Japan
NYR
Overview:
In this TV series of the hit 1973 film, Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes shake Japan. Firestorms burn beautiful Japanese cities to the ground. A weather survey group discovers that the Japanese Archipelago is moving towards the Japanese Trench, which if left to continue on its collision course, would bring the whole island of Japan under the sea!Kita no kuni kara
9
Overview:
Set in the town of Furano in Hokkaido, Kita no Kunikara centers around the story of the Kuroita family.The Shin Hasegawa Series
NYR
Overview:
From the Taisho era to the Showa 30s, known as the father of popular literature who left many masterpieces and was also a teacher of Shotaro Ikebana and Yumie Hiraiwa, this omnibus work was produced based on the works of Shin Hasegawa and broadcasted from 1972 to 1973 with a total of 30 episodes.Older brother
NYR
Overview:
The series tells about the life of construction foreman Eiji and his sister. Both have a love interest: she has a boyfriend, and he has a young girl. The sister is thinking about marriage, and the brother has too strict principles to recklessly rush into the abyss of passion.The Password is Courage
NYR
Overview:
The story takes place in a small rural village surrounded by beautiful nature. However, it is about to be destroyed by a waste disposal plant. Something must be done. The villagers rise up. They get a lawyer from Tokyo to help fight alongside them. Only that he's not a real lawyer but a washed-up actor (Yakusho Kōji), who once played a lawyer on TV.The Nagasaki Crime Chronicles
NYR
Overview:
The drama depicts in the late Edo period in Nagasaki, Hiramatsu takes up Nagasaki bugyō`s head post. He likes alcohol and women. Furthermore He is always willing to accept a bribe from villains so they consider it is easy to manipulate him. But he is just pretending to be idiot and he kills villains who escape justice despite their crimes.Kwaidan
7.7
Overview:
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.The Bullet Train
6.8
Overview:
A Japanese bullet train is threatened with a bomb that will explode automatically if the train slows below 80 km/h, unless a ransom is paid. Police race to find the bombers so the train crew can learn how to defuse the bomb.Sanjuro
7.957
Overview:
Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifully composed "Sanjuro." In this companion piece and sequel to "Yojimbo," jaded samurai Sanjuro helps an idealistic group of young warriors weed out their clan's evil influences, and in the process turns their image of a proper samurai on its ear.The Sword of Doom
7.735
Overview:
Ryunosuke, a gifted swordsman plying his trade during the turbulent final days of Shogunate rule, has no moral code and kills without remorse. It’s a way of life that leads to madness.Baian the Assassin
10
Overview:
During the day, Dr. Baian is the friendly and trusted village acupuncturist. At night, he becomes Baian, the assassin. Using his acupuncture needles as weapons, he takes on deadly assignments, killing evildoers with an undeniable skill and precision.The Face of Another
7.795
Overview:
A businessman with a disfigured face obtains a lifelike mask from his doctor, but the mask starts altering his personality.The Bad Sleep Well
7.693
Overview:
In this loose adaptation of "Hamlet," illegitimate son Kôichi Nishi climbs to a high position within a Japanese corporation and marries the crippled daughter of company vice president Iwabuchi. At the reception, the wedding cake is a replica of their corporate headquarters, but an aspect of the design reminds the party of the hushed-up death of Nishi's father. It is then that Nishi unleashes his plan to avenge his father's death.The Battle of Okinawa
7.5
Overview:
The Americans are swiftly closing on Okinawa, an island just south of the Japanese mainland. The Imperial command sends top generals and several army divisions to defend it at all costs. The mission quickly degenerates as vital resources and troops are diverted to other islands. After a civilian evacuation ends in tragedy most of non-combatants are forced to remain on the island. Many convert to soldier status. Tokyo sends mixed messages that squander time and resources, as when they order the defenders to build an airstrip for aircraft that never come. The truth soon becomes obvious: the high command decides that the island cannot be held and effectively abandons the Okinawan defenders. When the Americans land many troops are deployed in the wrong places. As the slaughter mounts, a suicidal attitude takes hold. Okinawa becomes a death trap, for civilian volunteers and non-combatants as well.Tasmania Story
9
Overview:
Eiji Kawano (Kunie Tanaka) has recently broken from the Japanese company he used to work for. As an immigrant to Tasmania, he has been won over by the island's immense natural beauty, and he is conscience-bound to oppose his former employer's ecologically unsound practices. He is also estranged from his grown son, who still resides in Japan. When his son comes to Tasmania for a visit, he must face the challenge of renewing their relationship.All About Our House
5.9
Overview:
Two newlyweds decide to build their dream home, and hire an old friend named Yanagisawa to design it. Unfortunately, Yanagisawa isn’t licensed to build homes, so they call in the wife’s father, a retired carpenter, to help out. When Yanagisawa’s contemporary ideas clash with the old carpenter’s traditional Japanese methods, the project becomes a huge mess.Dodes'ka-den
7
Overview:
This film follows the daily lives of a group of people barely scraping by in a slum on the outskirts of Tokyo. Yet as desperate as their circumstances are, each of them—the homeless father and son envisioning their dream house; the young woman abused by her uncle; the boy who imagines himself a trolley conductor—finds reasons to carry on.Battles Without Honor and Humanity
7.4
Overview:
In the teeming black markets of postwar Japan, Shozo Hirono and his buddies find themselves in a new war between factious and ambitious yakuza.Shingo's Final Duel
NYR
Overview:
After Aoi Shingo, the illegitimate son of Shogun Yoshimune has gained prominence as the finest swordsman in the land, he tries to lead a peaceful life with his mother far away from the seat of government in Edo. Not wanting to inconvenience his father anymore his plan is to stay away from the city and enjoy life like a normal man. Unfortunately for him, his past comes back to haunt him in the person of his mortal enemy, the one swordsman that is skillful enough to defeat him. This is the most perilous moment of Shingo's life as he must face his deadliest foe in a battle to the death!Three Yakuza
7.8
Overview:
A tale of three Yakuza gamblers who traveled Japan during the samurai era living by their wits and sword skills. Told in 3 separate vignettes, each part tells the story of a different drifter’s life. Part 1: A man is on the run after killing two Hasshu Officials to avenge his Boss. He must make a life or death decision as he is asked to protect a gang from attack. Part 2: A pair of gamblers chased out of a crooked game must fight not only their pursuers, but the ghosts of their pasts as well. Part 3: A wanderer who wants to live according to the Yakuza Code, but is not sure that he can do so when asked to save a town from an evil official.The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity
8.2
Overview:
Kaji is sent to the Japanese army labeled Red and is mistreated by the vets. Along his assignment, Kaji witnesses cruelties in the army and revolts against the abusive treatment against the recruit Obara. He also sees his friend Shinjô Ittôhei defecting to the Russian border, and he ends in the front to fight a lost battle against the Russian tanks division.Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
7.3
Overview:
Shozo Hirono has managed to separate from the Yamamori family and create his own small family, and extend his circle of acquaintances. These new friendships include a powerful underboss of the Muraoka family, Noboru Uchimoto.Never Give Up
5.7
Overview:
Special forces officer Ajisawa leaves his paramilitary group to take care of his newly-adopted daughter, Yoriko: the sole survival of a bloodbath for which he is responsible. Years later, Ajisawa is forced to return to the scene of the tragedy for his new job as a claims adjuster where he is subsequently arrested for his suspected involvement. But the threat of jail time is the least of his worries as his former organization comes gunning for him.Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
7.058
Overview:
Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss.The Desperate
7
Overview:
A noir drama depicting the downfall of a veteran detective who hates evil and falls into its depths. Ace detective Sugai pursues Chiyo, the mistress of a man who was arrested for extortion, and takes advantage of her weakness. However, as his colleague Tokumochi and others regard him with suspicion, he is tormented by remorse.Winter's Flower
6.2
Overview:
Kanno is a Yakuza. He had to kill Matsuoka who betrayed their boss. Kanno knew Matsuoka had a 3-year-old daughter named Youko. Before he gave himself to the police, he asked his trusted man to take care of her. While in prison, Kanno kept sending letters to Youko, disguising as an uncle in Brazil. 15 years later, Kanno is released. He is determined to live legitimately, however the Yakuza has not forgotten his wicked deed!Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
6.776
Overview:
The blind masseuse is targeted by the leader of a powerful yakuza group while also fending off a jealous husband bent on revenge. Zatoichi tours Edo's underground via a rousing onsen fight scene, gambling houses and the gender-bending character of Umeji, before a final, flame-filled conflagration.Resurrection
5.7
Overview:
When dead people starts returning to the small Japanese town of Aso, government official Kawada is dispatched to uncover the “truth”.The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi
6.4
Overview:
Obayashi's take on the famous Kosuke Kindaichi series, made popular partly thanks to the numerous movie-adaptions by Kon Ichikawa, the most known being The Inugami Family. Kosuke Kindaichi is the most famous detective in Japan. Kindaichi gets a new case to figure out who has beheaded a valuable statue and made off with its head.Acting
2010The Last Ronin as Unknown
2004The Hidden Blade as Kanbê Katagiri
2003Fukumimi as Unknown
2003The Boat to Heaven as Masato Sakurai
2003北の国から 記憶 前編 as 演员
2003Resurrection as Dr. Saito
2002Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Sanjuro' as Self
2002Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Bad Sleep Well' as Self
2002Kita no kuni kara 2002 Yuigon Part 2 as Unknown
2002北の国から記憶 as 演员
2002Kewaishi as Unknown
2001世界で一番熱い夏 (4 Episodes) as Unknown
2001All About Our House as Chouichirou Iwata
2000The Password is Courage (11 Episodes) as Unknown
2000As the River Flows as Matsuda (The Shopkeeper)
1998A Class to Remember III: The New Voyage as Inoue
1997The Rainbow Seeker 2 as Unknown
1997Magnitude: Bridge to Tomorrow as Unknown
1996The Rainbow Seeker as Unknown
1996Oishinbo as Tattsan
1995Tora-san to the Rescue as Ship Captain
1995Salaryman Senka as Unknown
1995北の国から ’95秘密 後編 as Unknown
1995Kita no kuni kara '95 Himitsu as Unknown
1994イルカに逢える日 as Unknown
1994Free and Easy Special as Unknown
1993Hacchōbori Torimono Banashi (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1993A Class to Remember as Ino
1993Baian the Assassin: Showdown as Unknown
1993Lone Wolf and Cub: The Final Conflict as Buddhist Priest
1992Kita no kuni kara '92 Sudachi Part 1 as Unknown
1992Luminous Moss as Hachizo
1991My Sons as Unknown
1991Baian the Assassin (5 Episodes) as Han-Emon of Otowa
1991Castle of Sand as Eitaro Imanishi
1991A Desirable Marriage as Mr. Kawamata
1991The love song of farewell later as Unknown
1991Shy Security as Unknown
1991Private Detective Dobu (7 Episodes) as Unknown
1991Mourning Work as Unknown
1991Kamigata Kugaizoshi as Unknown
1990Baian the Assassin as Unknown
1990Ronin-gai as Magozaemon Doi
1990Tasmania Story as Unknown
1990Hoshi wo tsugu mono as Kenji Yoshida
1989Kita no kuni kara '89 Kikyo as Unknown
1988Love on a Daily Basis as Unknown
1988I Love You So Much as Unknown
1988Yojo no jidai as Unknown
1988This Heartbeat as Unknown
1988Tomorrow as Shoji's stepfather
1988Oración as Unknown
1987The Great Department Store Robbery as Unknown
1987Take Me Out to the Snowland as Yûichirô Tayama
1987The Return of the Newshound and the Lady Cop as Yutaro Hatori
1987The Thief and the Expelled Master as Unknown
1987Kita no kuni kara '87 Hatsukoi as Unknown
1986The House of Wedlock as Unknown
1986Maison Ikkoku - Apartment Fantasy as Unknown
1986Rice Curry (13 Episodes) as Unknown
1985Early Spring Story as Okino, Hitomi's father
1985Demon as Keita
1984Kita no kuni kara '84 Natsu as Unknown
1984The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel as Unknown
1984Sukanpin Walk as Keizo Fukami
1984Tokimeki Coast Story as Unknown
1983Private Detective DOBU 6: The Origami Murder Case as Dobu
1983Choji Snack Bar as Iwashita
1983Nogare no machi as Unknown
1983Deadly Swords in Search of Hidden Gold as Unknown
1983The Undercover Ninja Organization as Unknown
1983Kita no kuni kara '83 Fuyu as Unknown
1983Private Detective DOBU 5: The Pinwheel Murder Case as Dobu
1983Private Detective DOBU 4: The Mysterious Kite Murders Case as Unknown
1982Highschool Scramble as Unknown
1982Tonga Adventure Family as Unknown
1982Private Detective DOBU 3: The Exile Island Murder Case as Dobu
1982The Shootout as Iwai
1982Ekisutora as Unknown
1982Private Detective DOBU 2: The Kyoto Murder Case as Dobu
1982Karate Cop as Neighbor
1981At This Late Date, the Charleston as Army Minister
1981Station as Sugawara
1981Kita no kuni kara (24 Episodes) as 黑板五郎
1981Private Detective DOBU 1 as Unknown
1980May Love Be Restored as Yugiri-ro client
1980Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga as Masakichi Makihara
1980The Revolt as Unknown
1979The Last Game as Unknown
1979The Fixer as Unknown
1979Troubleman Laughs and Kills as Unknown
1979White Love as Unknown
1979The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi as Lt. Todoroki
1979The Inferno as Unpei Ikegata
1979Murder in the Doll House as Detective Naraki
1979Down with The Big Boss as Unknown
1979Nichiren as Unknown
1978The Truck Rascals Go to The North as Unknown
1978Pink Lady's Motion Picture as Unknown
1978Blood Type: Blue as Unknown
1978Never Give Up as Bartender
1978Dynamite Don-Don as Sakuzo
1978The Demon as Policeman
1978Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron as Rikichi Komadera
1978Winter's Flower as Kokichi Minami
1978幽霊列車 as Unknown
1977The Extravagant Cops as Unknown
1977Village of Eight Gravestones as Unknown
1977Sugata Sanshiro as Yasuyoshi
1977Older brother (13 Episodes) as Kintaro
1977The Love and Adventures of Kuroki Taro as Kuroki Taro
1977Seasonal Wind as Unknown
1977Japan's Don as Unknown
1976Kawachi Rascal Is Spurred On as Unknown
1976Yoake no hata matsumoto jiichirō Den as Toramatsu Otani
1976Hangyaku no Tabi as Unknown
1976Hobo General as Unknown
1976The Machine Gun Dragon as Unknown
1976Manhunt as Yokomichi Keiji
1975The Wild Trucker as Borsalino 2
1975300 Million Thief: Statute of Limitations as Toyama
1975The International Gang of Kobe as Teruo Maruyama
1975Company Buggers as Unknown
1975Japan Beauty Story: A Woman Among Women as Unknown
1975The Bullet Train as Koga's Brother
1975Light of Africa as Katsuhiro
1975Shimane Prison Riot as Yoshikazu Minagawa
1975Cops vs. Thugs as Kinpachi Komiya
1975The Nagasaki Crime Chronicles (26 Episodes) as Yoshitoshi Kogure
1975Great Jailbreak as Goda
1975Battle Cry as Unknown
1975Graveyard of Honor as Katsuji Ozaki
1975Doterai Man as Unknown
1975Path of Japanese Chivalry: Story of All-Out Attack as Unknown
1974New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1 as Gen Sakagami
1974Submersion of Japan (26 Episodes) as Tatsuno
1974Third Generation Boss as Unknown
1974Lupin the Third: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy as Daisuke Jigen
1974Evil of Dracula as Dr. Shimomura
1974Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode as Masakichi Makihara
1974Machi no Hi as Goro
1974Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Police Tactics as Masakichi Makihara
1973Yakuza of the Present as Zen san
1973Stray Dog as Sagawa
1973Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War as Masakichi Makihara
1973Japan's Top Gangster as Unknown
1973The School Deviate Waru as Unknown
1973Deeper Than Blue as Ajikawa
1973Battles Without Honor and Humanity as Masakichi Makihara
1972Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers as Ohno
1972The Shin Hasegawa Series (30 Episodes) as 蛙ヶ池の仙太
1972Kogarashi Monjiro 2: Secret of Monjiro's Birth as Johei Yawata
1972New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm as Unknown
1972My Voiceless Friends as Unknown
1972Summer Soldiers as Fujimura
1972The Witty Samurai as Unknown
1972Zorome no San Kyoudai as Unknown
1971Nippon ichi no shokku otoko as Unknown
1971New Prison Walls of Abashiri: Snowbound Deserter as Unknown
1971The Wolves as Matsuzo Tsumura
1971The Battle of Okinawa as Unknown
1971The Instant Services Bureau as Unknown
1971Kigeki: Onna ikitemasu as Unknown
1971Tora-san, the Good Samaritan as Teacher Fukushi
1971Detective Story: A Brother's Rule as Unknown
1971Wakadaisho vs Aodaisho as Unknown
1970Banner of the Young as Taro
1970It's a Man's Way of Life as Heihachirou Yanai
1970Dodes'ka-den as Hatsutaro Kawaguchi
1970The Kingpin of Fair Ladies as Tadao Ueda
1970Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival as Unknown
1970Charming Men as Kuramoto Kuraji
1970Bravo, Young Guy as Unknown
1970Rebel Against Glory as Unknown
1970The Summit of Mt. Fuji as Unknown
1970Duel at Fort Ezo as Kurobei
1970Zoku Isoginchaku as Takashi Takai
1969Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms as Seiji Matsumiya
1969The Great Japanese Pick-Pocket Club as Kanegai
1969Tenchu! as Rokkaku Prison Officer
1969Forward, Young People! as Taro
1969Goyokin as Hirosuke
1968Outlaw: Black Dagger as Doctor Michio Hongô
1968Angel's Lover as Unknown
1968The Woman Gambler's Revenge as Unknown
1968Young People as Taro
1968The Day the Sun Rose as Unknown
1968In Broad Daylight as March
1968The Human Bullet as Unknown
1968Three Rogues as Unknown
1968Cry of the Mountain as Unknown
1968An Angel's Temptation as Unknown
1968Women and Miso Soup as Unknown
1968The Woman Champion as Unknown
1968How to Be the Worst of Office Workers as Unknown
1968Hymn to a Tired Man as Hisataro Ohno
1968Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2 as Katsuji Nemoto
1967Circuit-A-Go-Go as Unknown
1967Abashiri Prison: Challenge to the Evil as Unknown
1967The Young Ace in the South Pacific as Shinjiro Ishiyama
1967Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido as Unknown
1967Game of Chance 2 as Unknown
1967River of Forever as Unknown
1967Birth of a Fighter as Unknown
1967Let's Go! Young Guy as Shinjirou Ishiyama
1966Abashiri Prison: Duel in the Snow Country as Unknown
1966Debt of Honor as Unknown
1966Golden Ninja as Risuke
1966Koto—The Lake of Tears as Kenkichi Ohara
1966Abashiri Prison: Duel in the South as Unknown
1966Zatoichi's Pilgrimage as Storyteller
1966The Face of Another as Mentally Ill Man #1
1966The Front Line Showdown as Sawamura
1966Young Ace in the Alps as Shinjiro Ishiyama / Aodaisyô
1966The Bullet and the Horse as Unknown
1966The Sword of Doom as Senkichi
1966The Threat as Unknown
1966Silence Has No Wings as Unknown
1966Cash Calls Hell as Umegaya
1965Prison Walls of Abashiri 4 as Unknown
1965Campus A Go-Go as Unknown
1965Yakuza G-Men as Masayoshi Imanishi
1965Prison Walls of Abashiri 3 as Otsuki
1965Sword of the Beast as Tanji
1965Young Guy at Sea as 石山新次郎（青大））
1965Prison Walls of Abashiri, Part 2 as Kirikawa
1965Three Yakuza as Unknown
1965The Last Judgment as Unknown
1965Abashiri Prison as Otsuki
1965Tale of Ninja Duty as Unknown
1965Kwaidan as Yasaku (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
1964Red Diamond as George Takase
1964間諜 as Unknown
1964Shingo's Final Duel as Unknown
1964The Desperate as Chiba
1964Punishment of a Lawless Villian as Unknown
1963Sasuke and His Comedians as Unknown
1963Okashina yatsu as Sankichi Fujita
1963The Young Ace in Hawaii as 石山新次郎（青大将）
1963Sensation Seekers as Unknown
1963A Fishmonger's Tour as Unknown
1962College Champ as Unknown
1962Pitfall as Man in White Suit
1962Operation Sewer Rats as Private Anayama
1962The Crimson Sky as Unknown
1962The Inheritance as Unknown
1962Pride of the Campus as Shinjiro Ishiyama (Aodaisho)
1962Sanjuro as Samurai
1961Blood on the Sea as Unknown
1961Sir Galahad in Campus as Shinjiro Ishiyama (Aodaisho)
1961Big Shots Die at Dawn as Unknown
1961Wakarete ikiru toki mo as Unknown
1961Hidden Fangs as Unknown
1961The Merciless Trap as Unknown
1960The Bad Sleep Well as Hitman
1960The Sun's Burial as Thief
1959The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity as Obara Nitôhei
1957The Story of Pure Love as Satoyan