Candid photo of Kōji Wakamatsu (若松孝二)

The provocative Japanese film director, writer, and producer Kōji Wakamatsu (若松孝二) was born 90 years ago, on April 1st, 1936.

Naoto Takenaka (竹中直人) Versatile Japanese Character Actor YouTube video by Japanese Cinema Hub

One of my favorite Japanese actors, Naoto Takenaka (竹中直人), turns 70 years old today, born on March 20th, 1956. He made his acting debut in 1984 and quickly became known for his versatility as a supporting character actor.
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He worked almost exclusively in the pink film industry throughout his career and is considered to be one of its early central figures. Mamoru passed away on December 24th, 2013.

The Japanese director Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺護) was born 95 years ago, on March 19th, 1931. He grew up engrossed in film, with his father running a movie theater. In 1964, he was asked to become an assistant director and quickly made his directorial debut in 1965.

UK: Imamura’s final feature, WARM WATER UNDER A RED BRIDGE is a boldly sensuous and taboo-breaking love story.

A UK Blu-ray premiere, this release includes a new interview with co-writer Daisuke Tengan and introduction to the film by director Takashi Miike.

UK: Bringing to life the seedy side of 1960s Japan, Imamura’s landmark THE PORNOGRAPHERS makes its worldwide UHD debut.

A satire on shifting postwar values, this release features a new interview with critic Tony Rayns

He gained acclaim for films such as "Pale Flower," "Assassination," "Double Suicide," and more. Shinoda retired in 2003 and passed away on March 25th, 2025, at the age of 94.

The outstanding Japanese director Masahiro Shinoda (篠田正浩) was born 95 years ago, on March 9th, 1931. He was at the center of the Japanese New Wave at Shochiku alongside Nagisa Oshima and Yoshishige Yoshida.
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Same! Ryō Ikebe and Mariko Kaga made for a great duo.

Pale Flower / 乾いた花 (1964), directed by Masahiro Shinoda (篠田正浩).

He is known for the Lone Wolf and Cub series of films, kickstarting the Zatoichi series, the Sword Trilogy starring Raizō Ichikawa, and much more. He passed away on September 24th, 1975, at just 54 years old.

The Japanese director Kenji Misumi (三隅研次) was born 105 years ago, on March 2nd, 1921. Misumi was a master of the jidaigeki genre and a pillar of Daiei Studios. He directed Japan's first 70mm film, "Buddha" in 1961.

He also took a more business-oriented approach, forming his own talent agency where he served as president alongside his acting career. He was a huge car enthusiast and collector and even participated in rally racing. Natsuki passed away on January 14th, 2018, at 81 years old.

The Japanese actor Yōsuke Natsuki (夏木陽介) was born 90 years ago, on February 27th, 1936. He joined Toho Studios in 1958, where he played in a diverse range of roles. From the mid-60s through the 70s, he saw great success in television with shows like "G-Men '75."

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Mermaid Legend (人魚伝説), directed by Toshiharu Ikeda (池田敏春), born on this day in 1951.

Toshiharu Ikeda (池田敏春) Director of Mermaid Legend YouTube video by Japanese Cinema Hub

The Japanese director Toshiharu Ikeda (池田敏春) was born 75 years ago, on February 23rd, 1951. Known for the fantastic "Mermaid Legend" and "Evil Dead Trap," both made while part of the Director's Company. He tragically passed away in December 2010.

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He added the ideographic comma to the end of his name as a reminder to always continue pushing forward to better himself.

The Japanese actor Hiroshi Fujioka (藤岡弘、) celebrates his 80th birthday today, born on February 19th, 1946. He rose to stardom as the original Kamen Rider hero, Takeshi Hongo. In 1984, he made history as the first Japanese actor to join the Screen Actors Guild of America.

Daisuke Katō (加東大介) in Yojimbo (用心棒). Born on this day in 1911.

Daisuke Katō (加東大介) Incredible Japanese Character Actor Subscribe to see more videos like this. Go watch a Japanese film and have a great rest of your day! Follow Me Here: Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/IntakeCinema/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/...

The celebrated Japanese character actor Daisuke Katō (加東大介) was born 115 years ago, on February 18th, 1911. His naturally bright attitude and sincerity made him a favorite of many. Katō passed away on July 31st, 1975, leaving behind an incredible career in film.

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I highly recommend checking out "Wife! Be Like a Rose!" (1935), starring Chiba. She is excellent, and so is the film. boxd.it/3fxa

The Japanese actress Sachiko Chiba (千葉早智子) was born 115 years ago, on Feb. 16th, 1911. She made her film debut in 1933 and had a short but prominent career at P.C.L., especially receiving praise for her works with Mikio Naruse. She passed away on Oct. 22nd, 1993.

The Japanese director Kōji Shima (島耕二) was born 125 years ago, on Feb 16th, 1901. He began as an actor at Nikkatsu in 1925, turning to directing in 1939. He worked in a wide range of genres over his career. He passed away Sept. 10th, 1986.

You can watch the 2016 documentary "Ken San" on the Internet Archive here:
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Ken Takakura (高倉健) Iconic Japanese Actor YouTube video by Japanese Cinema Hub

The legendary Japanese actor Ken Takakura (高倉健) was born 95 years ago, on February 16th, 1931.

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The Thick-Walled Room / 壁あつき部屋 (1956), directed by Masaki Kobayashi (小林正樹).

Cover for Prince, Stephen. "A Dream of Resistance: The Cinema of Kobayashi Masaki." New Brunswick ; Camden ; Newark, Rutgers University Press, 2018.

Excerpt from the Introduction of Prince, Stephen. "A Dream of Resistance: The Cinema of Kobayashi Masaki." New Brunswick ; Camden ; Newark, Rutgers University Press, 2018.

Masaki Kobayashi (小林正樹) One of Japan's Greatest Filmmakers YouTube video by Japanese Cinema Hub

Masaki Kobayashi (小林正樹 ), one of Japan's greatest filmmakers, was born 110 years ago, on February 14th, 1916. His films were socially and politically conscious, shaped by his study of philosophy and the horrors of war.

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He was promoted to director in 1953, creating mainly jidaigeki films until 1964, when he left Shochiku. After this, he made a few TV films and was interviewed in the documentary "Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director" in 1975. He passed away on January 8th, 1992.