In addition to Takeshi Kitano's ZATOICHI, Suzuki has worked as composer/arranger on feature films 2001's CHICKEN HEART (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu) and 2000's UZUMAKI (WHIRLPOOL aka SPIRAL) (dir. Higuchinsky)

Born in 1951, Suzuki is an important producer on the Japanese pop music scene. He has also composed music for commercials and video games, such as Nintendo's Earthbound, Mother and Mother 2. Suzuki has also occasionally appeared as an actor, notably in Shuji Iwai's films LOVE LETTER and SWALLOWTAIL.

THE STRIPES ( TAP DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY )
THE STRIPES are a rhythm and tap performance group formed and led by central member Hideyuki (a.k.a. HIDEBOH). The group calls their unique dance style “funk-a-step” -- a fusion of clog dance, African-American street-style rhythm tap dancing, club music and percussions using household items like buckets and frying pans. Since their formation in 1998, they have entertained thousands in hundreds of performances all over Japan.

KATSUMI YANAGIJIMA ( CINEMATOGRAPHER )
ZATOICHI marks Katsumi Yanagijima's ninth collaboration with Takeshi Kitano. Since 1990's BOILING POINT, Yanagijima has become one of Kitano's key crew by working on A SCENE AT THE SEA, SONATINE, GETTING ANY?, KIDS RETURN, KIKUJIRO, BROTHER and DOLLS. Yanagishima made his debut as a cinematographer on 1989's MOTTOMO ABUNAI DEKA (dir. Toru Kawashima). His other credits include 1995's MARKS (dir. Yoichi Sai), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu), 2000's BATTLE ROYALE (dir. Kinji Fukasaku), 2001's GO (dir. Isao Yukisada) and 2003's MAKAI TENSHO (dir. Hideyuki Hirayama).

HITOSHI TAKAYA ( LIGHTING DESIGNER )
Hitoshi Takaya has worked on all 11 Takeshi Kitano-directed films. Takaya made his debut in 1983's KAGI (dir. Aktaka Kimata). His other credits include 1985's FIRE FESTIVAL (dir. Mitsuo Yanagimachi) 1987's SARABA ITOSHIKI HITOYO (dir. Masato Harada), 1993's WE ARE NOT ALONE (dir. Yojiro Takita), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu), 1999's DEAD OR ALIVE: HANZAISHA (dir. Takashi Miike), 2001's TAIGA NO ITTEKI (dir. Seishiro Koyama) and 2001's GO (dir. Isao Yukisada).

NORIHIRO ISODA ( PRODUCTION DESIGNER )
Norihiro Isoda has collaborated with Takeshi Kitano on seven films: ZATOICHI, DOLLS, BROTHER, KIKUJIRO, HANA-BI, KIDS RETURN and GETTING ANY?. Before cinema, Isoda worked several years as a graphic designer. His other film credits include: 1993's MANY HAPPY RETURNS (dir. Toshihiro Tenma), 1995's TOKYO KYODAI (dir. Jun Ichikawa), 1998's FUKIGENNA KAJITSU (dir. Katsuo Naruse), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu) and 1998's GIVE IT ALL (dir. Itsumichi Isomura).

SENJI HORIUCHI ( SOUND DESIGNER )
Senji Horiuchi has worked on all 11 Takeshi Kitano-directed films. He made his debut in 1988 as chief sound engineer on KAITO JIGOMA: ONGAKU-HEN (dir. Makoto Wada). His other credits include 1989's ZATO-ICHI (dir. Shintaro Katsu), 1993's WE ARE NOT ALONE (dir. Yojiro Takita), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu), 2001's OTOGIRI-SO (dir. Ten Shimoyama), 2001's MISUZU (dir. Takumi Igarashi) and 2002's Japanese-Korean co-production THROUGH THE NIGHT (dir. Sujin, Kim).