Bring Me the Head of Megaguirus!

The suit head of Megaguirus. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The suit head of Megaguirus from Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000) is currently on display at the Godzilla Store in Shinjuku. Earlier tonight, I brought my trusty camera to snap some photos. Enjoy!

Just for fun. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Godzilla Sighted in Shinjuku ... Rockin' Out with an Electric Guitar!

It's exactly as it looks. Photo by Brett Homenick.

While changing trains in Shinjuku, I happened upon a guy in a Godzilla suit going ape like a crazed hodad, jamming away with a (not-so-real) electric guitar. The sight was quite amusing, and as luck would have it, my camera was handy. Here's what I saw. Enjoy!

A Scary Ghost Story .. Live and in Person!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight, I attended a performance of a spooky ghost story featuring two actors I occasionally blog about: Masanori Machida and Shoji Mori. 

The ghost story was quite intriguing. Usually, these performances are narrated and acted by only one (or sometimes two) actors, and several of them are done throughout the evening. But even though the performers still read from a script, they all acted (complete with costumes) in the same play.

Shoji Mori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

As luck would have it, tonight's show was a traditional Japanese ghost story, featuring a Grudge-style female ghost. It was like watching a classic 1950s- or '60s-era Japanese ghost movie by live actors. Quite cool, indeed.

After the play, there was a meet-and-greet with the actors. Naturally, it was time for photos, too. Suffice it to say, it was a fun way to spend an evening!

Jazz Returns to Asakusa, Courtesy of the Swing All-Stars!

Shinichi Yamagisawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night (February 18, to be precise), I was able to return to the HUB in Asakusa for another live performance by Shinichi Yanagisawa and His Swing All-Stars. Due to work commitments, I missed the previous one in December, the first time I had missed a performance since October 2014.

Shinichi Yanagisawa on drums. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

This was actually a rare opportunity for me because I was able to attend all three sets in their entirety. (I usually arrive toward the end of the first set or beginning of the second one.) As usual, it was another excellent show.

Yanagisawa-san is best known for his role as Miyamoto in The X from Outer Space (1967), but he's so much more than that. He's also talented drummer and vocalist who can sing in Japanese and English. I'm very fortunate to know him.

Japanese Movie Stars Give Asakusa Public Hall a Hand!

Asakusa Public Hall. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After Hibiya Chanter Square was renovated and renamed Godzilla Square, its Walk of Fame of Toho star was unceremoniously discarded. Thankfully, Asakusa Public Hall still maintains its Plaza of Stars, a similar area honoring many of Japan's biggest names in entertainment. Among them are a few performers familiar to readers of this blog. Let's check them out.

Asakusa Public Hall's Plaza of Stars. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Kon Omura, star of Gamera vs. Guiron (1969) and Gamera vs. Jiger (1970).

Izumi Yukimura, star of The Princess of Badger Palace (1958), Desperado Outpost (1959), Ichimatsu Travels with Ghosts (1959), and You Can Succeed, Too (1964).

Norihei Miki, star of Songoku: The Road to the West (1959), The Three Treasures (1959), and Deathquake (1980).

Toshiro Mifune, star of Rashomon (1950), Seven Samurai (1954), and The Three Treasures (1959).

Frankie Sakai, star of The Last War (1961) and Mothra (1961).

Machiko Kyo, star of Rashomon, Gate of Hell (1953), and Ugetsu (1953).

Yuzo Kayama, star of the Young Guy series and Espy (1974).

Out and About in Asakusa!

While walking around Asakusa last night, I snapped some photos of some of the more famous landmarks in the area. Although I visit Asakusa several times a year, it'd been a long time since I'd seen the area around the Asahi Flame and Kaminarimon. It seems to have undergone quite a few changes. Anyway, here's what I saw. Enjoy!

FLASHBACK! An Evening with Daimajin!

Riki Hashimoto in December 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On December 9, 2016, Daimajin suit actor Riki Hashimoto took part in a Q&A session following a screening of one of the Daimajin films. Due to my work schedule, I missed the screening, but was able to attend the interview. After the interview, the audience was able to meet and shake hands with Hashimoto-san, even though he didn't sign autographs or pose for photos. Another attendee did snap a picture of my greeting Hashimoto-san, which you can see at the bottom of the post.