Born in Hyōgo Prefecture, Kato was the nephew of the film director Sadao Yamanaka. He entered the Toho studio in 1937 and first began by working on documentaries. He worked as an assistant director to Akira Kurosawa in Rashomon. After World War II he switched to making jidaigeki.
1984The Street of DesireMovieWriter1983Amagi PassMovieScreenplay
1981The OndekozaMovieDirector
1981Flames of BloodMovieDirector · Screenplay
1977A Scream from NowhereMovieScreenplay · Director
1975The Story of Yumeji Takehisa: In LoveMovieScreenplay
1973The Blossom and the SwordMovieDirector · Screenplay1973Miyamoto MusashiMovieDirector
1973Flower and DragonMovieDirector · Screenplay
1972Theater of LifeMovieDirector · Screenplay
1972Modern Lady GamblerMovieDirector
1972The Witty SamuraiMovieScreenplay1971Red Peony Gambler: Here to Kill YouMovieDirector · Screenplay
1971花も実もある為五郎MovieScreenplay
1971やるぞみておれ為五郎MovieScreenplay1970Red Peony Gambler: Oryu's ReturnMovieDirector · Screenplay1969Red Peony Gambler: Flower Cards GameMovieDirector1968I, the ExecutionerMovieDirector · Writer1967Eighteen Years in PrisonMovieDirector1966The Blazing SwordMovieScreenplay
1966Opium Plateau: Hell Squad, Charge!MovieDirector · Screenplay
1966Nothing But BonesMovieDirector1966Tokijiro: Lone YakuzaMovieDirector
1966By a Man's Face Shall You Know HimMovieDirector · Screenplay1965Blood of RevengeMovieDirector
1965Tale of Ninja DutyMovieScreenplay1964Cruel Story of the Shogunate's DownfallMovieDirector1964Fighting Tatsu, the Rickshaw ManMovieDirector · Writer1964Warrior of the WindMovieDirector
1964The Honest FoolMovieScreenplay1963Sasuke and His ComediansMovieDirector
1963River Washes Away the MoonMovieScreenplay
1963Bloody Record of the ShinsengumiMovieScreenplay
1963The Mysterious Purple HoodMovieScreenplay
1962Abekobe dōchūMovieScreenplay1962Tange Sazen: Heavenly Clouds, Earthly DragonMovieDirector1962In Search of MotherMovieDirector · Screenplay1961The Tale of Oiwa's GhostMovieDirector · Screenplay
1961Way of Morning MistMovieDirector1960Castle of FlamesMovieDirector
1960Road WarriorsMovieDirector
1960The Chivalrous Youth of Great EdoMovieDirector · Screenplay1959Mission to HellMovieDirector · Writer
1959Turbulent HighwaysMovieScreenplay
1959A Young RabbleMovieScreenplay
1958Eight Views of SamuraiMovieDirector
1958Wind, Woman and RoadMovieDirector
1958Tales of Young Genji Kuro 2MovieDirector · Screenplay
1958The Scarlet Cherry LordMovieDirector
1957Tales of Young Genji KuroMovieDirector
1957Lovestruck RoninMovieDirector
1955Muttsuri Umon's Detective Stories: The Demon Mask MansionMovieScreenplay
1955Gyakushû OrochimaruMovieDirector
1955Ninja Arts of JiraiyaMovieDirector
1952Chronicle of the BulbulMovieDirector
1952Shimizu Harbor Is More Frightening Than the DevilMovieDirector
1951Trouble Over Swords and Women: Sword Light and Shooting StarMovieDirector
1951Trouble Over Swords and Women: A Woman's MindMovieDirector
1951Jūrokumon karasudō: Sennin higanMovieAssistant Director1950RashomonMovieAssistant Director
1949Goblin CourierMovieAssistant Director
1948The Grand MasterMovieAssistant Director
1943Lice Are ScaryMovieDirector
1938The Abe ClanMovieAssistant Director