AN AFTERNOON WITH SHIGEO KATO! The Great Toho Vet Turns 90!

Longtime Toho actor Shigeo Kato salutes the camera in a cafe in Kamakura. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On June 16, actor Shigeo Kato turned 90 years old. I mailed him a birthday card, and to my surprise I received a thank-you card in the mail just a few days later. In order to celebrate his birthday, I called Kato-san up and made plans to visit him in Kamakura.

I spent the afternoon with Kato-san, as he told me more about his life and career. It was a one-on-one meeting, so communication was difficult (to say the least!) at times, I was amazed at how much I understood. I guess it helps enormously when you're already familiar with the context.

Happy birthday, Kato-san!