Tomisaburō Wakayama

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Tomisaburō Wakayama ( Japanese 若 山 富 三郎 , Wakayama Tomisaburō ; born September 1, 1929 in Tokyo , Japan , † April 2, 1992 in Kyoto , Japan) was a Japanese actor. His best-known role was that of the former Kōgi Kaishaku-Nin , "executioner" of the government, and current hired killer Ittō Ogami in the Kozure-Ōkami film series, who traveled with his son in a pram through Edo-era Japan . The six films in the series are among the best-known works of the samurai film genre.

biography

Early years

Tomisaburō Wakayama was born into a family of kabuki actors. With his younger brother Shintaro Katsu he soon followed his father to the theater. Bored of the theater, he began to train judo at the age of 13 and reached the 4th dan . During this time he finally gave up the theater completely. When the Japanese film company Tōhō became aware of him, he worked as a judo teacher. He was hired as the future martial arts star in the Jidai-geki films, which were popular at the time .

Acting career

In preparation for his film career, Wakayama practiced other martial arts such as Kempō , Iaidō , Kendō , or Bōjutsu . He finally uses this in his most important role, that of Ittō Ogami in the Kozure Ōkami film series. After this series of films, Wakayama starred in various films. It is believed that he has appeared in 250 to 500 films. However, since there are no exact records from this time, these numbers are not certain.

His only roles in an American film were a baseball coach in The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (dt. The bears are unstoppable ) and as Yakuza -Boss and opponent of Michael Douglas in Ridley Scott's Black Rain .

death

Wakayama died on April 2, 1992 of complications from a heart attack in a hospital in Kyoto . His death ended his growing popularity in the West, which could have given his acting career new impetus.

Filmography (selection)

  • 1955: Gyakushu Orochimaru
  • 1959: Hayate Monzaburo
  • 1962: Zoku Zatoichi Monogatari
  • 1962: Shinobi no Mono
  • 1963: Zoku Shinobi no Mono
  • 1963: Ninja 3
  • 1964: Zatoichi Senryo-kubi
  • 1964: Shinobi no Mono: Kirigakure Saizo
  • 1970: Hitokiri Kannon-uta
  • 1972: Junko Intai Kinen Eiga: Kanto Hizakura Ikka
  • 1972: Okami - The Sword of Vengeance ( Kozure Okami: Ko o Kashi Udekashi Tsukamatsuru )
  • 1972: Okami - At the Dead River ( Kozure Okami: Sanzu no Kawa no Ubaguruma )
  • 1972: Okami - The Wind of Death ( Kozure Okami: Shi ni kaze ni Mukau Ubaguruma )
  • 1972: Okami - The Tattooed Killer ( Kozure Okami: Oya no Kokoro Ko no Kokoro )
  • 1973: Okami - The White Path of Hell ( Kozure Okami: Meifu Mado )
  • 1974: Okami - Bloody Snow ( Kozure Okami: Jigoku e Iku zo! Daigoro )
  • 1978: The bears cannot be stopped ( Bad News Bears Go to Japan )
  • 1980: Shogun Assassin
  • 1982: Irezumi - The Tattooed Woman ( Sekka Tomurai Zashi )
  • 1989: Black Rain
  • 1990: Jotei: Kasuga no Tsubone
  • 1991: Ote

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Wakayama, Tomisaburō
ALTERNATIVE NAMES 若 山 富 三郎 (Japanese)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Japanese actor
DATE OF BIRTH September 1, 1929
PLACE OF BIRTH Tokyo , Japan
DATE OF DEATH April 2, 1992
Place of death Kyoto , Japan