'Terror of Mechagodzilla' Screenwriter Yukiko Takayama Passes Away at Age 83

Yukiko Takayama in January 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) screenwriter Yukiko Takayama passed away of natural causes in her Tokyo home on June 2 at 11:16 a.m. She was 83 years old. Her funeral will be held on June 12 in Minato Ward, for which the chief mourner has been announced as Naoki, her oldest son.

Back in 2009, I was privileged to be able to submit a few questions about Terror of Mechagodzilla to Ms. Takayama, who graciously answered them. That brief interview can be read here.  

In 2016, I finally met Takayama-san at two different events. One was with Terror of Mechagodzilla chief assistant director Kensho Yamashita, and the other was with Mineko Okamoto, the widow of legendary director Kihachi Okamoto.

Below are photos I took at both events. RIP, Takayama-san.

Yukiko Takayama with Kensho Yamashita in January 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yukiko Takayama in April 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yukiko Takayama with Mineko Okamoto. Photo by Brett Homenick.

SPACE GODZILLA FLIES AGAIN! A Special Screening of This Heisei-Era Adventure!

Producer Shogo Tomiyama joins screenwriter Hiroshi Kashiwabara at a screening of Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 Today I attended a special screening of a great 35mm print of Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), and it was the best the film has ever looked. Of course,  it's a rather flawed film, and the final battle between Godzilla, Space Godzilla, and MOGERA is one of the most boring of the entire series.

Godzilla series producer Shogo Tomiyama recalls the making of Space Godzilla. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

When the event was originally booked a few months ago, director Kensho Yamashita was scheduled to be the guest of honor. Sadly, he passed away in the summer, and the screening became a tribute to his career. The guests of honor were Heisei and Millennium series producer Shogo Tomiyama and screenwriter Hiroshi Kashiwabara, who penned the Space Godzilla's script.

Screenwriter Hiroshi Kashiwabara discusses the challenges of writing the film's screenplay. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This was the second time I've seen Space Godzilla on the big screen in Japan, and my reaction was the same both times. There are things I enjoy about the first half of the film, but when the final battle between the monsters takes place, I get bored to distraction and lose interest in the proceedings. 

That's quite a flash! Sandwiched between producer Tomiyama and screenwriter Kashiwabara. 

Still, the event was very enjoyable, and the two guests were extremely approachable and affable. The pair answered questions for about an hour before signing autographs and taking pictures with attendees.

Hanging with Hiroshi Kashiwabara, something the fine folks of Itasca never got to do.

I enjoyed talking movies with Kashiwabara-san. He's a big fan of John Wayne and Steve McQueen, and his two favorite American films are The Great Escape (1963) and The Searchers (1956). On the Japanese side of the equation, his favorite film is Yojimbo (1961), followed by Sanjuro (1962) and Seven Samurai (1954). I mentioned that one of my favorite movies is Boogie Nights (1997), which got a positive reaction from Kashiwabara-san.

With producer Shogo Tomiyama.

Likewise, it was great to see Shogo Tomiyama again. He's always friendly whenever I see him at functions like these. All in all, it was another successful event. There are plenty more in December, and I can't wait to participate!

LUNCH WITH A DESIGNER! Spending Time with a True Monster Creator!

Akihiko Iguchi during our lunch. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Sunday afternoon, I had an Indian lunch with longtime designer Akihiko Iguchi. We talked a bit about the late Kensho Yamashita, with whom Iguchi-san was good friends. We both will miss Yamashita-san, who was as nice as they come.

Even though the framing is a bit off, I love this shot!

Iguchi-san also showed me some designs he recently made. They were just as impressive as ever. It's truly gratifying to see Iguchi-san staying busy doing what he loves.

It was a wonderful afternoon, and I look forward to meeting Iguchi-san again very soon.

Kensho Yamashita (Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla Director) Passes Away

Director Kensho Yamashita poses with a poster image of his first job as assistant director. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Kensho Yamashita, director of Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), and assistant director for Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) and Blue Christmas (1978), has recently passed away, two of the director's colleagues have confirmed. 

I'm glad I had the chance to meet Yamashita-san several times since last year. He joined me and designer Akihiko Iguchi for a small birthday dinner that Iguchi-san arranged for me in March. Yamashita-san and I rode the train after the dinner as he told me about working on Blue Christmas and Space Godzilla.

If more details become available, I will post them here.

Rest in peace, Yamashita-san.

UPDATE (9/3): Yamashita-san died of heart failure on August 16. Funeral services were held today.

BATTLE OF OKINAWA! Kihachi Okamoto's Classic Is Screened in Yokohama!

Teruyoshi Nakano, Takashi Naganuma, and Kensho Yamashita pose with a Battle of Okinawa poster. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I attended a screening of Kihachi Okamoto's Battle of Okinawa (1971). It was my first time to see the film in 35mm, and it's never looked better. The movie remains a powerful anti-war statement more than 40 years after its original release. I was privileged to sit next to Nakano-san during the screening.

After the screening, SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano and assistant director Kensho Yamashita held a Q&A session in which they talked about their experiences. Given Nakano-san's expertise in explosions, he naturally described how many of those shots were accomplished.

Assistant director Kensho Yamashita focused more on the dramatic side of things. He even brought a scrapbook with him, which contained many behind-the-scenes photos from the set. There were many rare shots of Okamoto-san directing the action. Yamashita-san was also an assistant director on Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) and Blue Christmas (1978) and went on to direct Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994).

Following the talk, it was dinnertime! Many of us gathered around separate tables and broke bread with the guests of honor. In particular, I talked with Naganuma-san about the model work on Godzilla (1984), a personal favorite of mine.

I always enjoy seeing Naganuma-san, as he is among the friendliest Toho alumni you could meet. It's always fun asking about many of the classics from the '70s, as he still has vivid memories of them.

Kensho Yamashita is also a lot of fun, and he seems to enjoy these events as much as anyone else.

And that's a wrap! There's always something happening in my neck of the woods, so stay tuned for the latest (and coolest) happenings in the world of Toho movies!

AN EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT! Dining with a Pair of Toho Greats!

Director Kensho Yamashita, designer Akihiko Iguchi, and yours truly enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.

With my birthday being right around the corner, I went to dinner with kaiju designer Akihiko Iguchi in Kawasaki. When I arrived, I learned that he had a surprise for me: Kensho Yamashita, director of Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), would be joining us.

Akihiko Iguchi and Kaiju Booska enjoy their meal together. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The conversation was lively, and both gentlemen shared great stories. I learned that Yamashita-san scouted locations in the U.S. for one of my favorite films, Blue Christmas (1978), on which he served as assistant director. It turns out he scouted San Diego as a possible location, but given the bright blue of the sky and ocean, it was rejected in favor of New York, which better fit the tone of the movie.

Kensho Yamashita and Akihiko Iguchi enjoy each other's company. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yamashita-san discussed his debut movie as assistant director at Toho, the Kei Tani vehicle called Kiki kaikai ore wa dareda?! (1969), and he was surprised when I was able to find the poster image easily on Iguchi-san's smartphone. (Even though I haven't seen it, I was familiar with the film already.)

Kensho Yamashita with the poster image of Kiki kaikai ore wa dareda?! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yamashita-san told many stories about working with director Kihachi Okamoto on films like the aforementioned Blue Christmas and Battle of Okinawa (1971). Yamashita-san also assistant-directed Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975).

Iguchi-san talked about his work on The Human Revolution (1973) and the difficulty of getting the storm effects just right. Both men agreed that working with fire and water is just about the most difficult thing about doing SFX.

It was a wonderful, laugh-filled evening. I was expecting a quiet meal, but we all had a blast taking photos, telling stories, and laughing along the way. Suffice it to say, it blew my expectations out of the water. What a great evening! Special thanks to both gentlemen!

MORE PICS FROM THE EVENT! Yukiko Takayama and Kensho Yamashita in Action!

Terror of Mechagodzilla's Yukiko Takayama and Kensho Yamashita reminisce about their famous film.

Yukiko Takayama gesticulates in order to make a point.

Kensho Yamashita recalls Terror of Mechagodzilla.

Yukiko Takayama signs autographs.

With the two celebrity guests at the event.

With Yukiko Takayama.

With Kensho Yamashita.

Yukiko Takayama and Kensho Yamashita pose for pictures.

Takayama-san and Yamashita-san check the photos taken on Yamashita-san's camera.

MECHAGODZILLA'S TERROR REVISITED! Two TOMG Alums Meet and Greet Their Fans!

Terror of Mechagodzilla screenwriter Yukiko Takayama (left) and assistant director Kensho Yamashita (right) discuss the making of their kaiju classic following a screening in Yokohama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

January 24 saw a great event take place in Yokohama. The film of the day was Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), a bona fide classic in the Godzilla series. The event opened with a screening of a 35mm  print of the film and was followed by a Q&A session with a couple of very special guests.

Screenwriter Yukiko Takayama remembers writing the story of Terror of Mechagodzilla. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The two special guests were TOMG screenwriter Yukiko Takayama and assistant director Kensho Yamashita. Yamashita-san went on to direct his own Godzilla movie, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994).

Assistant director Kensho Yamashita answers questions about his career. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The interview session proved to be very interesting. Of particular note, the building used as the Mafune family home was actually an old hospital (!) in Setagaya Ward that was eventually torn down. I was hoping to visit that location someday, but unfortunately it's long gone. At least we know what it was.

Also, when talking about the "racy" scene with Katsura on the operating table, Yamashita-san pointed out that it was actually dropped from the U.S. version. Then Yamashita-san looked at me and said in English, "For the children!" I laughed and gave him a thumbs-up.

Yours truly with Yukiko Takayama, a first-time meeting that hopefully won't be the last!

Although I've met several Terror of Mechagodzilla alumni over the years, I'd never met Yukiko Takayama. Naturally, I was very excited to meet her. At first, she seemed a bit shy, but during dinner, she easily warmed up and became very talkative.

I was very privileged to sit next to Yukiko Takayama during our nabe dinner.  

During dinner, Takayama-san talked about her interest in sci-fi films and cited Blade Runner (1982) as one of her favorites. I was glad to tell Takayama-san about how TOMG was actually a pretty scary movie to watch as a young child (the dark atmosphere was a bit much for me at that age), even though it's now one of my favorites.

Yours truly with Kensho Yamashita, who is always in motion, even when posing for photos!

There were many familiar faces at the event, and I enjoyed catching up with them. I was very happy to spend so much time with Takayama-san, who proved to be a warm and friendly special guest. She seemed as interested in her fans as we were in her. Kensho Yamashita is always a blast to hang out with, and he brought his own camera and took pictures of his own!

More photos from tonight's shindig to come!

GODZILLA'S DIRECTOR AND ART DIRECTOR ASSEMBLE! Kensho Yamashita and Akira Sakuragi Hold Court in Yokohama!

Director Kensho Yamashita (left) and art director Akira Sakuragi (right) talk about their careers in tokusatsu. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yokohama's Cinema Novecento a special Godzilla event today, which included a special screening of Godzilla 1985 (1984) in 35mm. The special guests for the event were director Kensho Yamashita, who directed Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), and Toho art director Akira Sakuragi, who served in that position on Godzilla 1985, Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990), and Mothra 3 (1998).

Akira Sakuragi shows off his Toho staff ID card. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Godzilla 1985 remains one of my favorite Godzilla movies, and this was my first time seeing it in 35mm. Naturally, it's never looked better. Following the screening, a talk event with Yamashita-san and Sakuragi-san was held, in which the two spoke about their respective careers. Sakuragi-san discussed everything from working on Sayonara Jupiter (1984) to working with Akira Kurosawa on Dreams and Kagemusha (1980).

Sakuragi-san discusses the movement of the sea louse Shockirus by demonstrating with a toy. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Following the interview, Yamashita-san and Sakuragi-san signed autographs and took photos with their fans. Given Yamashita-san's history as an assistant director on a couple of my favorite films, namely Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) and Blue Christmas (1978), I brought items related to those films for him to sign.

Kensho Yamashita recalls his career in tokusatsu and beyond. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After the signing, it was dinnertime, and the small group of us sat down with the guests and talked kaiju over our meal. Toward the end of the festivities, Yamashita-san took out his digital camera and took pictures of all the group members, including yours truly. He also asked us to sign a Godzilla book that was given to him as a gift, and I signed my name in English and katakana. It's not every day that a Godzilla director asks for your autograph!

Posing with Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla director Kensho Yamashita.

After taking pictures with Sakuragi-san, he pointed out that he owns the same camera as I do, an Olympus Stylus 1. As someone who has only just dabbled in photography, I can rest assured that I made a good choice in cameras if Akira Kurosawa's former art director uses the same camera as I do!

Yours truly with Akira Sakuragi, whose career touches both Godzilla and Kurosawa films.

As usual, it was another great event, and I enjoyed spending more time with Yamashita-san. (I met him briefly at another event in 2012.) It was a blast meeting Sakuragi-san for the first time. Both gentlemen are very friendly, and here's hoping I have a chance to see them again soon.