Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film offers an extraordinary close-up of the hitherto overlooked golden age of Japanese cult action and exploitation cinema from the early 1950s through to the late 1970s and up to the present day. Having unique access to the top maverick filmmakers and Japanese genre film icons Chris D. brings together interviews with and original writings on the lives and films of such transgressive directors as Kinji Fukasaku ( Battles Without Honour and Humanity ) Seijun Suzuki ( Branded to Kill ) and Koji Wakamatsu ( Ecstasy of the Angels ) as well as performers like Shinichi Sonny Chiba ( The Streetfighter Kill Bill Vol. 1 ) and glamorous actress Meiko Kaji ( Lady Snowblood ). Bringing the story up-to-date with an overview of such Japanese enfants terrible as Takashi Miike ( Audition ) and Kiyoshi Kurasawa ( Cure ) this book also provides a compendium of facts and extras including filmographies related bibliographies on genre fiction including Manga and a section on female yakuzas. Illustrated with fantastic stills and posters from some of Japan s finest cult and action films this is a veritable bible for fans and newcomers alike.