Most important Japanese Movies

Since it was very much overshadowed by Jojimbo, it remains fairly little known and doesn't suffer from the 'being a Classic' problem.
There is a really nice Criterion Collection DVD of it available which I manage to pick up for little money on the web.

... and I love it - for the same reason!

Actually, my sentimental favourite Kurosawa is Waga Seishun Kui Nashi (No Regrets for my Youth).

Not a rational preference. It is far from his best, dated in every way, and all available prints are not good. But it is partly set at my alma mater, Kyoto University. And it is based on the life story of one of my heroes, Ozaki Hotsumi.

More important, the lead actress is Hara Setsuko, who goes through a transformation - one kind of woman to another - as strong as any of the acress roles in Mizoguchi's films.

Anyone familliar with "Vibrator"?

In no particular order:

Kiki's Delievery Service, Spirited Away, Whisper of the Heart, My Neighbor Totoro, Laputa Castle in the Sky, Grave of the Fireflies, The Cat Returns.

I LOVE those movies.

another vote for

Kikujiro
Minbo no onna
Tampopo
Tokyo Story
Battle Royale (but only the first one - the sequel is terrible !)

Not too long ago I bought some old Japanese classics on DVD - Tokyo Story, Twenty four Eyes and To Live -. They are great movies to watch. The storyline is quite simple. It involves the aging parents and their grown up children in Tokyo Story, twelve elementary school children and their beloved teacher in Twenty four Eyes and a dying civil servant in To Live. A word of caution, be sure you have plenty of tissue paper with you, you need them!