Both of them are incredible films - beautifully shot with great performances. I ****ing loved every minute of these films. I never thought a modern director would ever make another great samurai-themed movie (especially after watching The Last Samurai, which was a travesty of the genre), but Yoji Yamada wonderfully crafted these films, and they are very much in the spirit of a classic Kurosawa movie.
Also, Yamada made a third samurai film, entitled Bushi no Ichibun (aka Love and Honor), but I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy.
Definitely check these films out if you have the chance. I cannot say enough about how much I love these movies.