Known for Acting
Born
January 23, 1956
Died
February 21, 2015 (age 59)
Birthplace
Chūō, Tokyo, Japan
Filmography
13 films, 3 shows


Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet
2011 · 2h 15m
country: Japan
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (1884-1943) was the Japanese Naval commander who was given the order to attack Pearl Harbour, an order he was duty bound to obey which went against his own personal beliefs. While this infamous attack is a low point in Japanese and US history it wouldn’t have happened if the Japanese government had listened to Yamamoto in 1939 and searched for a more peaceful way to end their war campaign, proving his many ominous presages of the outcomes of the attack to come true.


The Lightning Tree
2010 · 2h 13m
country: Japan
Set during the Edo Period, a young man from a noble family meets a young woman under a special tree called "Raiou" (the tree was struck by lightning at one time with the broken part eventually sprouting out cherry blossoms). The young woman lived freely in the mountains after she was abducted as a young child. The couple soon fall in love under the Raiou tree, but become acutely aware of their different social positions & the ramifications it has on their relationship.


Cinema Kabuki Ghost Story: Peony Lantern
2009
country: Japan
Kabuki performance of the story “Peony Lantern”.


Kabei: Our Mother
2008 · 2h 13m
country: Japan
Set in Tokyo in 1940, the peaceful life of the Nogami Family suddenly changes when the father, Shigeru, is arrested and accused of being a Communist. His wife Kayo works frantically from morning to night to maintain the household and bring up her two daughters with the support of Shigeru's sister Hisako and Shigeru's ex-student Yamazaki, but her husband does not return. WWII breaks out and casts dark shadows on the entire country, but Kayo still tries to keep her cheerful determination, and sustain the family with her love. This is an emotional drama of a mother and an eternal message for peace.


Love and Honor
2006 · 2h 1m
country: Japan
A look at the relationship between a young blind samurai and his wife, who will make a sacrifice in order to defend her husband's honor.


Jack the Mouse: Noda Version
2005 · 1h 50m
country: Unknown
Nezumi, Jack the Mouse is a Japanese urban legend. His passion for money drives a cynical, duplicitous coffin maker to take on Nezumi’s mantle. In this kaleidoscope of disguise and deception, society’s pretenses are destroyed in a melting pot of farce, social satire and courtroom drama. The mighty are brought low to everyone’s delight. Contemporary theatre genius Hideki Noda collaborates with Kabuki theatre at the invitation of celebrated actor Kanzaburo.


Like Asura
2003 · 2h 15m
country: Japan
The four Takezawa sisters discover that their father has an illegitimate child so they hire a private detective to investigate.


Tales of the Bizarre: Christmas Eve Special
1996
country: Japan
"Tales of the Bizarre", in which familiar storyteller Tamori and a star-studded cast take us into a "strange world". This time, Tamori, the storyteller, will present five gems: Gorilla, The Terrifying Karaoke Singing Battle, Telepathic Love, Housewife Sachiko's Secret Pleasure and Merry Christmas 2040


Sharaku
1995 · 2h 20m
country: Japan
Crippled Kabuki player Tonbo is taken in by a strolling company of itinerant actors. An influential publisher notices his honest, bold art, and nurtures him despite persecution and betrayal.


Rikyu
1989 · 2h 15m
country: Japan
Late in the 1500s, an aging tea master teaches the way of tea to a headstrong Shogun. Through force of will and courageous fighting, Hideyoshi becomes Japan’s most powerful warlord, unifying the country.


The Man Who Assassinated Ryoma
1987 · 1h 37m
country: Japan
The Man Who Assassinated Ryoma is a movie about a haunted blood-thirsty Bakufu officer who might have killed Ryoma Sakamoto.


Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
1985 · 2h 1m
country: Japan
A fictional account of the life of Japanese author Yukio Mishima, combining dramatizations of three of his novels and a depiction of the events of November 25th, 1970.
Gubijinsô: Maboroshi no ai ni hateta murasaki no onna!
Gubijinsô: Maboroshi no ai ni hateta murasaki no onna!
1984 · 1h 51m
country: Japan