They Who Step on the Tiger’s Tail

film by Kurosawa

Also known as: “Tora no o fumu otokotachi”

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July 14, 2026

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They Who Step on the Tiger's Tail (Tora no o fumu otokotachi) is a 1945 Japanese comedy film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film is a parody of a well-known Kabuki drama. Due to prohibitions by Allied occupation forces on films dealing with Japan's feudal past, it was not released until 1952. The story involves characters stepping on the tail of a tiger, a metaphor for provoking a powerful figure. Kurosawa's early career included films like Sanshiro Sugata and No Regrets for Our Youth, before gaining international acclaim with Rashomon.1

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Kurosawa Akira
First films
…no o fumu otokotachi (They Who Step on the Tiger’s Tail), a parody of a well-known Kabuki drama. The Allied occupation forces, however, prohibited the release of most films dealing with Japan’s feudal past, and this outstanding comedy was not distributed until 1952.
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…no o fumu otokotachi (They Who Step on the Tiger’s Tail), a parody of a well-known Kabuki drama. The Allied occupation forces, however, prohibited the release of most films dealing with Japan’s feudal past, and this outstanding comedy was not distributed until 1952.
Read More