rmf2001br; i did include Ikiru. I should see it again, as i don't think i gave it proper respect and attention when i saw it some years back. Some of the films i haven't seen- i think i said this- but have included from my reading on the subject. There was a limited season of Mizoguchi films, including 3 unavailable on video/dvd, which did the rounds in Britain. Unfortunately i didn't get to see A Geisha; i was told, incorrectly, they would be coming out on video, so didn't make the 90 mile round trip for it. Occasionally some films have popped up on TV here, which are otherwise inaccessible. I remember Channel 4 started off in the early 80's with a season of Japanese films. Some films (a minority) not on video can be obtained for screening- for instance as we've done at our film society. I understand Imamura's Ballad of Narayama is to be released on dvd next year.

bjornam; Eureka (which i did include) is a tremendous film, imo. Worth an asterisk.

Insect Woman; point taken. I've not seen it, but have noticed it's cropped up in a couple of critics' top 10 lists recently. 

2 recommended books; Japanese Film directors, by Audie Bock. A little outdated now, but still essential coverage of the great names- detailed sections on 10 directors. Also A Hundred Years of Japanese Film (2002) by Donald Richie.

I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Miyazaki's animated Spirited Away, which has had raves. 

So many great films- a splendid tradition! I'm very interested in the subject but i'm absolutely not an expert.I'd be delighted if greater accessibility of the films in the West gave me the opportunity to be!