Akira Kurosawa’s Directing Style Explained

A deep dive into Akira Kurosawa’s directing style — from blocking and composition to movement and visual storytelling.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to the work of Akira Kurosawa
01:10 - The History of Kurosawa's Filmmaking Journey
03:11 - Story
05:24 - Production Design
07:33 - Color
08:46 - Cinematography
10:18 - Editing
11:56 - Sound
12:58 - Music
14:31 - Takeaways

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Akira Kurosawa is one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history — but what actually defines his directing style?

In this video essay, we break down Kurosawa’s filmmaking techniques across Seven Samurai, High and Low, Rashomon, Ikiru, Yojimbo, and more. From dynamic blocking and layered composition to bold movement and weather-driven cinematography, Kurosawa didn’t just direct scenes — he engineered visual storytelling with precision.

We’ll explore how Kurosawa used:

• Blocking to control power and tension within the frame
• Movement — both camera and actor — to energize dramatic beats
• Composition to guide the audience’s eye
• Editing rhythms that shaped modern action filmmaking
• Environmental elements like wind, rain, and smoke to heighten emotion

Whether you’re studying film history, learning directing, or simply love Japanese cinema, this analysis breaks down why Kurosawa’s influence still defines filmmaking today. Directors from Spielberg to Scorsese have borrowed from his visual language — and once you see the patterns, you’ll recognize them everywhere.

If you're interested in cinematography, composition in film, blocking techniques, or the evolution of modern film language, this breakdown of Akira Kurosawa’s movies will give you practical insight into how great directing actually works.

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♬ SONGS USED:

"Manatsu Ni Haeru (Glowing on a Midsummer Night)" - Ian Post feat. Aya Ishida
"Dojo Tradition" - In This World
"Issho (Together)" - idokay
"Shi ga futari o wakatsu made (Till Death Do Us Part)"- idokay
"The Journey Home" - Will Van De Crommert
"Akahige (Red Beard) - Main Theme" - Masaru Sato
"High and Low" - Masaru Sato
"An Eastern Reflection" - Kyle Preston
"Daishō (Two Swords)" - Roie Shpigler
"Taiyaki" - idokay
"Stranger to None" - Hans Johnson
"A New Day Begins" - Nobou
"Sumo" - Veaceslav Draganov
"A Little Curious" - Liam Mansfield
"Upward Motion" - Rex Banner
"Thumper Exotica" - Rhythm Scott
"Main Theme (Rashomon)" - Fumio Hayasaka
"Line Of Great Lords At The Funeral" - Masaru Sato
"Back to Tokyo" - Vens Adams

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Music by Soundstripe ► http://bit.ly/2IXwomF

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