Kumokiri Nizaemon (2013)
A masterful Japanese period drama following the legendary thief Kumokiri Nizaemon and his elite gang across the Edo-era underworld.
Kumokiri Nizaemon - Series Information
- Original Title: 雲霧仁左衛門
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Shotaro Ikenami
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 53
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK G, NHK BS Premium, NHK, NHK BS4K, NHK BSP4K
- Production Companies: NHK, Shochiku, NHK Enterprises
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: BS時代劇 雲霧仁左衛門 (JP)
Kumokiri Nizaemon - Plot
During the Kyoho period in the reign of Tokugawa Yoshimune, there is a gang of thieves active not just in Edo but also the Tokaido and the Nakasendo, and all across the Kansai region, stealing large sums of money with skillful techniques. They only target the very wealthy and never kill or injure people. They appear with the clouds and disappear like the mist. On the night that the beautiful Ochiyo is to become the bride of a dry goods dealer, a large amount of money hidden inside the shop is stolen. The gang disappears without injuring anyone. It was a two-year plan to marry Ochiyo off so that she could bring them in. The leader of this gang is Kumokiri Nizaemon, the greatest bandit of all time. He keeps a rein on his highly-skilled and notorious followers Nanabake no Ochiyo, Kinezumi no Kichigoro, Subashiri no Kumagoro, Ingakozo Rokunosuke and others.
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Kumokiri Nizaemon - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Shotaro Ikenami
Main Cast
- Toru Tezuka
- Kiichi Nakai
- Rina Uchiyama
- Sen Yamamoto
- Manko Kurenai
- Jun Kunimura
- Takehiro Murata
- Ryota Nakanishi
- Akihiro Ooishi
- Noritoshi Ishikawa
Writers
- Ichirō Miyagawa
- Satoru Okamoto
- Ryûichi Matsushita
- Yoichi Maekawa
- Masaya Ozaki
Executive Producers
- Motohiko Sano
Kumokiri Nizaemon - FAQs
What is Kumokiri Nizaemon about?
Kumokiri Nizaemon is a Japanese period drama set during the Kyoho era of the Edo period. It follows the legendary master thief Kumokiri Nizaemon, who leads a highly skilled gang of criminals that steal exclusively from the wealthy, never harming anyone, and vanish without a trace.
Is Kumokiri Nizaemon based on a true story?
Kumokiri Nizaemon is based on a series of novels by celebrated Japanese author Shotaro Ikenami. While the character of Kumokiri Nizaemon is fictional, the story is set against the historically accurate backdrop of Tokugawa Yoshimune's reign during Japan's Edo period.
Who plays Kumokiri Nizaemon in the series?
The title role of Kumokiri Nizaemon, the legendary master thief, is portrayed by veteran Japanese actor Kiichi Nakai. Toru Tezuka co-stars as Subashiri no Kumago, one of the gang's most capable members, alongside a strong ensemble cast.
How many seasons does Kumokiri Nizaemon have?
Kumokiri Nizaemon ran for 7 seasons, comprising 53 episodes in total. Season 1 had 6 episodes, while Seasons 2 through 7 each contained 8 episodes. The series aired from 2013 to 2025 before concluding.
What genre is Kumokiri Nizaemon?
Kumokiri Nizaemon belongs to the Drama and Mystery genres. It is specifically a jidaigeki — a Japanese period drama — set during the Edo period. The series blends intricate heist plotting with atmospheric historical storytelling rooted in Shotaro Ikenami's acclaimed novels.
What network airs Kumokiri Nizaemon in Japan?
Kumokiri Nizaemon aired across multiple NHK channels in Japan, including NHK G, NHK BS Premium, NHK BS4K, and NHK BSP4K. The series was produced by NHK in partnership with Shochiku and NHK Enterprises.
What are shows similar to Kumokiri Nizaemon?
Viewers who enjoy Kumokiri Nizaemon may also appreciate other period and mystery dramas such as The Night Manager (2016), A Shop for Killers (2024), Destiny (2024), and The Dovekeepers (2015), all of which share themes of intrigue, skilled protagonists, and compelling historical or thriller narratives.
Who composed the music for Kumokiri Nizaemon?
The score for Kumokiri Nizaemon was composed by Koji Endo, a prolific Japanese composer known for his work across film and television. His music contributes to the series' atmospheric Edo-period setting, enhancing the tension and elegance of the heist-driven narrative.
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