Sanshiro Sugata
A hotheaded youth in 1880s Meiji Japan apprentices to judo master Shōgorō Yano, trading brute jujutsu bravado for discipline and humility. As Sanshirō matures, he proves judo’s spirit against old-guard challengers—including a deadly duel—while falling for his vanquished opponent’s daughter. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo.
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Part of Sanshiro Sugata Collection
2 films
Cast
18 people
Denjirō Ōkōchi
Shogoro Yano
Known for
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
No Regrets for Our Youth
Susumu Fujita
Sanshiro Sugata
Known for
The Hidden Fortress
Yojimbo
Yukiko Todoroki
Sayo Murai
Also in
Suzaki Paradise: Red Light District
The Lady of Musashino
Ryūnosuke Tsukigata
Gennosuke Higaki
Also in
Travels of Lord Mito Pt.10: Demon Naruto
Lord Mito 2: The Nation's Vice Shogun
Takashi Shimura
Hansuke Murai, Sayo's father
Known for
Seven Samurai
Ikiru
Ranko Hanai
Osumi Kodana
Known for
Repast
Sugisaku Aoyama
Tsunetami Iimura
Known for
Ugetsu
Scandal
Ichirō Sugai
Police Chief Mishima
Known for
Sansho the Bailiff
The Life of Oharu
Yoshio Kosugi
Master Saburo Kodama
Known for
Seven Samurai
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Kokuten Kōdō
Buddhist Priest
Known for
Seven Samurai
Throne of Blood
Michisaburō Segawa
Wada
Also in
The Letter
The Greatest Man in the World
Akitake Kōno
Yoshima Dan
Known for
Sansho the Bailiff
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
Akira Kurosawa Director · Tsuneo Tomita Author Seiichi Suzuki Composer
First release March 25, 1943 · Produced in Japan · Production Toho Film (Eiga) Co. Ltd.
Production
TOHO
Production
Toho Film (Eiga) Co. Ltd.
Production
Japan
Produced in
Languages
Original title
姿三四郎
Original language
Japanese
Spoken on screen
Japanese
Release dates
Japan · March 25, 1943
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
France
May 15, 2026 · Limited theatrical · Cannes Film Festival (restored version)
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Some details come from TheTVDB.