Lady Snowblood (1973)

『修羅雪姫』(shurayuki-hime)

Yuki's family is nearly wiped out before she is born by a gang of criminals. These outlaws kidnap and brutalize her mother but let her live. Later her mother ends up in prison with only vengeance to keep her alive. She creates an instrument for revenge in her daughter Yuki.

In spite of being produced on a low budget, the film's success spawned a sequel, and was a major inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

Ugetsu (1953)

『雨月物語』(ugetsu monogatari), "Tales of Moonlight and Rain"

In the civil wars of 16th century Japan, two ambitious peasants in Nakanogo want to make their fortunes. The potter Genjuro intends to sell his wares for vast profits in the local city, Omizo, while his brother-in-law Tobei wishes to become a samurai. A respected sage warns them against seeking profit in times of war but his advice goes unheeded, and their insistency leads to the ruin of their families.

Red Beard (1965)

『赤ひげ』(akahige)

Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves a wise and patient teacher. He gradually introduces his student to the unglamorous side of the profession, ultimately assigning him to care for a prostitute rescued from a local brothel.

Seven Samurai (1954)

『七人の侍』(shichinin no samurai)

A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food. A giant battle occurs when 40 bandits attack the village.

Yojimbo (1961)

『用心棒』(yōjinbō)

A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.