Welcoming the New Year with a Toei Icon!

Mariko Matsuoka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yesterday evening (Sunday, January 21), I was invited to join a gathering that was both a New Year's party as well as a get-together with friends. I was invited by actress Mariko Matsuoka, about whom I've blogged a few times since last year. Overall, I was at the event for about three hours.

For some background, Mariko Matsuoka plays android girl Carolyn in episode 24 of Ultraman Leo (1974-75), Ritsuko Okamura in Kamen Rider Amazon (1974-75), Misaki Minekawa in episode 29 of Akumaizer 3 (1975-76), episode 32 of UFO Great War Fight! Red Tiger (1978), and Jun in episode 37 of Kyoryu Sentai Koseidon (1978-79). She also appears in the Fumio Ishimori-penned Shochiku film Frozen River (1976) as Harumi Hayata.

Mariko Matsuoka sings karaoke. Photo by Brett Homenick.

We met at a restaurant in Toranomon and had a Japanese course meal. While there, I had the chance to pick her brain and find out some more details about her. Matsuoka-san told me that her favorite movies are Field of Dreams (1989) and Singin' in the Rain (1952). 

Because Matsuoka-san's English skills are superior to those of most Japanese I know, I asked her how she learned the language. Surprisingly, she said that she learned English in high school. Additionally, in junior high school, she had a conversation class where she read books like Gulliver`s Travels and Peter Rabbit. She was living in Setagaya Ward at the time.

Matsuoka-san was curious about how I taught English, so I did a demo class with her in which she read a news story in fairly simple language. She thought it was too difficult for her level, but I explained that she would get better over time practicing it like that with a teacher.

At one point, the conversation turned to Shintoism and all the gods in it. Someone mentioned Greek gods, which prompted me to bring up Roman mythology and Hercules. Matsuoka-san that she liked Hercules movies as a kid. But, when I showed her a picture of Steve Reeves, she didn't seem to recognize him, so it's possible she was thinking of something else. A bit later, she mentioned Ben-Hur (1959) as another movie she enjoyed.

When talking about music, she mentioned that she loves Simon & Garfunkel and Nat King Cole.

The owner had a few fun props and assorted items on hand (like a toy gun, a toy katana, etc.), and, due to all the talk about tokusatsu, he brought out a toy Ultra Eye from Ultra Seven (1967-68). he said I look like Moritsugu with the Ultra Eye. When I put it on, Matsuoka-san commented that I looked like Koji Moritsugu, who played Dan Moroboshi in the series. I'll take it!

Matsuoka-san also sang a few karaoke songs during the evening, which was quite fun to hear.

Because Matsuoka-san and I live just one train station apart, we left and rode the trains back together. While riding the trains, she told me about the time she performed in the Soviet Union. She didn't remember exactly when it was, but it was before she was on Kamen Rider Amazon. She went there for about a month and a half for singing engagements, not acting.

She traveled the country via all kinds of transportation modes, including airplanes. The pilots were military, so the way they flew was rough, according to Matsuoka-san, and it was scary to be on those planes. It was also very cold there, and, when she traveled by train, she mostly just saw snow fields. At one point, it was around -40 degrees Celsius. Fascinating stuff! I'd love to hear more sometime!

Two Tsuburaya Pro Veterans Perform Onstage!

Hiroshi Chiba and Mariko Matsuoka perform onstage. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Friday, November 10), I attended another live performance by Hiroshi Chiba and Mariko Matsuoka. Chiba-san came all the way from Fukuoka for the event, so you could imagine he gave it his all!

Mariko Matsuoka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Mariko Matsuoka plays android girl Carolyn in episode 24 of Ultraman Leo (1974-75), Ritsuko Okamura in Kamen Rider Amazon (1974-75), Misaki Minekawa in episode 29 of Akumaizer 3 (1975-76), episode 32 of UFO Great War Fight! Red Tiger (1978), and Jun in episode 37 of Kyoryu Sentai Koseidon (1978-79). She also appears in the Fumio Ishimori-penned Shochiku film Frozen River (1976) as Harumi Hayata.

I was able to spend more time with Matsuoka-san after the show than with Chiba-san. Matsuoka-san mentioned again that we should go to a particular pizza restaurant near where she and I live, so hopefully we can do that soon. I'm waiting patiently for it!

With Mariko Matsuoka.

Chiba-san (under the stage name Masahiro Oyake) played Pigmon as a suit actor in episode 37 of Ultraman (1966-67). He also appears in human form in episode 36 of the same series. In the movies, he played the main character Tetsugoro (who was performed by Hideki Takahashi) as a boy in the Nikkatsu actioner Family Crest: Man against Death (1969). 

Another role of his is in Tsugunobu Kotani's film F2 Grand Prix (1984), starring Ken Tanaka and Katsuhiko Sasaki. Chiba-san also played Yasohachi Yamagishi in a series of Nikkatsu films based on the risque Go Nagai manga called Harenchi Gakuen ("Shameless School"), namely: Harenchi Gakuen: Shintai Kensa no Maki (1970), Harenchi Gakuen: Tackle Kiss no Maki (1970), and Shin Harenchi Gakuen (1971).

With Hiroshi Chiba.

Due to my work schedule, I came in late. When I entered the venue, Matsuoka-san was performing onstage, and Chiba-san was in the audience. Chiba-san greeted me as I entered. When it was over, Chiba-san asked me if I enjoyed myself, which I did, particularly the part of the show that focused on West Side Story. As I was leaving, Chiba-san thanked me for coming.

And that's a wrap! 

Actor Hiroshi Chiba Turns 67 in Style in Roppongi!

Hiroshi Chiba. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today (Sunday, September 10) I had the privilege of attending actor Hiroshi Chiba's 67th birthday event at the piano bar MyScotch in Roppongi. Of course, the actor won't actually turn 67 until his birthday, which will take place on September 19.

Hiroshi Chiba on the guitar! Photo by Brett Homenick.

This was my first time meeting Chiba-san, so I was quite excited. When I showed up, I was surprised to see actress Mariko Matsuoka there. It turns out that she's been friends with Chiba-san for a long time. When I walked in, Matsuoka-san waved to me and beckoned me over to her table, at which she offered me a seat.

Hiroshi Chiba blows out his birthday cake. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I also greeted Chiba-san, who was just getting ready to start, when I came in. Matsuoka-san asked him if we knew each other, to which Chiba-san replied that we had only communicated via social media when I made my reservation.

Actors Hiroshi Chiba and Mariko Matsuoka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

But just who is Hiroshi Chiba? Well, Chiba-san (under the stage name Masahiro Oyake) played Pigmon as a suit actor in episode 37 of Ultraman (1966-67). He also appears in human form in episode 36 of the same series. In the movies, he played the main character Tetsugoro (who was performed by Hideki Takahashi) as a boy in the Nikkatsu actioner Family Crest: Man against Death (1969). Another role of his is in Tsugunobu Kotani's film F2 Grand Prix (1984), starring Ken Tanaka and Katsuhiko Sasaki.

Mariko Matsuoka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Chiba-san also played Yasohachi Yamagishi in a series of Nikkatsu films based on the risque Go Nagai manga called Harenchi Gakuen ("Shameless School"), namely: Harenchi Gakuen: Shintai Kensa no Maki (1970), Harenchi Gakuen: Tackle Kiss no Maki (1970), and Shin Harenchi Gakuen (1971). 

His best-known role (in Japan, at least) would have to be his appearances as a regular on the massively popular TV series G-Men '75 (1975-82), playing Detective Akio Taguchi from 1979 through 1981.

Mariko Matsuoka plays android girl Carolyn in episode 24 of Ultraman Leo (1974-75), Ritsuko Okamura in Kamen Rider Amazon (1974-75), Misaki Minekawa in episode 29 of Akumaizer 3 (1975-76), episode 32 of UFO Great War Fight! Red Tiger (1978), and Jun in episode 37 of Kyoryu Sentai Koseidon (1978-79). She also appears in the Fumio Ishimori-penned Shochiku film Frozen River (1976) as Harumi Hayata.

Hiroshi Chiba on the piano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

As you could imagine, it was a lot of fun being seated next to Matsuoka-san for the event. We chatted in between the songs that Chiba-san performed. We live very close to each other, so hopefully we'll get together soon. We discussed grabbing dinner in the near future, so let's hope it happens soon.

After the show wrapped, Matsuoka-san brought me over to Chiba-san for a formal introduction. We had a brief chat -- as you could imagine, Chiba-san was swamped by admirers -- and I didn't want to take up too much of his time. But it was great to get a proper introduction by a close friend of his.

After that, Matsuoka-san escorted me to the elevator to see me off. We again talked about getting together soon. What a fun and lively time! Many thanks to Chiba-san and especially Matsuoka-san for making it one for the history books!

A Kamen Rider Series Actress Celebrates Her Birthday in Style!

Mariko Matsuoka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today (Sunday, June 25), I attended a special birthday event for actress Mariko Matsuoka. I met Matsuoka-san for the first time a couple of months ago, and after I had the chance to get to know her a bit at that time, I was looking forward to my chance to see her again. Today was that opportunity.

And it actually is her birthday today, which made the occasion extra special. The event was divided into two parts: The first part were manzai-style comedy routines that were read directly from a script. Although several were performed, the one that stuck out to me the most was the one where Matsuoka-san played an old woman who had her credit card information stolen but got easily distracted when talking on the phone with the investigator who was trying to look into her situation. 

Mariko Matsuoka with her birthday cake. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The second half of the event focused entirely on signing. It wasn't just Matsuoka-san who sang, however. Two other female vocalists also performed songs. A live pianist was on hand to provide musical accompaniment.

Now make a wish! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Mariko Matsuoka plays android girl Carolyn in episode 24 of Ultraman Leo (1974-75), Ritsuko Okamura in Kamen Rider Amazon (1974-75), Misaki Minekawa in episode 29 of Akumaizer 3 (1975-76), episode 32 of UFO Great War Fight! Red Tiger (1978), and Jun in episode 37 of Kyoryu Sentai Koseidon (1978-79). She also appears in the Fumio Ishimori-penned Shochiku film Frozen River (1976) as Harumi Hayata.

When chatting with Matsuoka-san after the show, I found out that she happens to live in my general area. That was a surprise! I'd love to meet up with her a lot closer to home sometime. Let's hope it happens.

Happy birthday, Matsuoka-san!

GO, GO, LET'S GO! More Photos from the Kamen Rider 50 Years Exhibition!

Bad guys at a Kamen Rider event? What a SHOCKER! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Here are even more photos I took today at the Kamen Rider 50 Years Exhibition. There was just too much to fit into one blog post. Enjoy!

GO, GO, LET'S GO! Visiting the Kamen Rider 50 Years Exhibition!

Signage for the Kamen Rider 50 Years Exhibition. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 Earlier today, Friday, January 13, I visited the Kamen Rider 50 Years Exhibition currently taking place in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro. The exhibit, which runs from December 23 through January 15, covers the entire history of the Kamen Rider franchise and features actual props from the various series, as well as replica suits of the numerous heroes and villains. A picture's worth a thousand words, so let's get to the photos!