Director Nobuo Nakagawa Celebrated with a Screening of His Television Work!

Kyoko Yashiro. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This afternoon (Sunday, June 11), I attended an event centered around celebrated director Nobuo Nakagawa, who is best remembered around the world for his period horror films. This event, however, focused on the director's work on home dramas during the mid-'60s. It was held in the basement of the Laputa Asagaya.

Screened at the event were episode 10 of the home drama Toshiko-san (1966), as well as episode 1 of the similar Atchan (1965). Both works were a far cry from Nakagawa's scarier features. Today's episode of Atchan even boasted music by the late Chumei Watanabe.

I wasn't sure who would show up to the event, but thankfully there were two great guests who made it all worthwhile. The first guest to mention is Shintoho actress Kyoko Yashiro, the widow of Ultra-series director Toshihiro Iijima. Yashiro-san worked with director Nakagawa on The Lady Vampire (1959). She also appeared in Vampire Bride (1960) and The Ghost of the Girl Diver (1960). I hadn't seen her since 2018 but was quite pleased that she recognized me after all this time. I was very happy to have a chance to see her again -- and even ride in an elevator with her!

Masahisa Sakashita. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Also on hand was Nikkatsu Studios veteran Masahisa Sakashita. While he worked his way up through Nikkatsu Studios during the 1970s, more recently he has worked as a freelance television director. I also last saw him in 2018, but was floored that he recognized me, too. I figured there was no way he would remember me (we'd only ever met once before, and that was at a similar event with many attendees), so it was a pleasant surprise that he did. He was in great spirits, and we shared quite a few laughs.

And that's a wrap! The only other thing to mention is that, at one point, Yashiro-san couldn't find the black bag she brought with her, and a few others and I scoured the place looking for it. It turned out that her companion, with whom she came to the event, had it in his possession all along. Crises averted! Otherwise, it was a great time. Let's do it again!

Ultra-Series Writer-Director Toshihiro Iijima Passes Away at 89

Toshihiro Iijima in November 2018. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It was announced today that writer-director Toshihiro Iijima died of aspiration pneumonia in a hospital in Yokohama at 8:59 p.m. on October 17. He was 89.

Shozo Uehara, Toshihiro Iijima, and Eizo Yamagiwa share a laugh in March 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Born on September 3, 1932, in Tokyo, Mr. Iijima was a director and screenwriter, mostly for television. In 1957, he joined what would eventually become TBS and worked his way up to becoming a director and scriptwriter.

Toshihiro Iijima in May 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

He occasionally wrote scripts under the pen name Kitao Senzoku. Mr. Iijima wrote and directed many episodes of Ultra Q (1966) and Ultraman (1966-67), as well as directing Ultra Seven (1967-68) and Operation: Mystery! (1968-69). In addition, he wrote and directed the feature film Daigoro vs. Goliath (1972).

Mr. Iijima stands between Susumu Kurobe (left) and Bin Furuya in October 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

His most notable contribution was directing episode 2 of the original Ultraman, which introduced Baltan Seijin to the series.

Kyoko Yashiro in November 2018. Photo by Brett Homenick.

He was married to actress Kyoko Yashiro. Ms. Yashiro worked with acclaimed horror director Nobuo Nakagawa the film The Lady Vampire (1959), as well as appearing in Vampire Bride (1960) and The Ghost of the Girl Diver (1960) at Shintoho.

Toshihiro Iijima in July 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I had the privilege of meeting both Mr. Iijima and Ms. Yashiro at several events over the years. They were never anything less than friendly. I was surprised once when Mr. Iijima-san thanked me for always coming out to his events. I should have been thanking him!

With Mr. Iijima in May 2017.

Rest in peace, Mr. Iijima. Thank you for helping to make television history.

Ultraman and Kamen Rider Alums Gather in Nakano for a Showa Hero Event!

From left to right: Toshihiro Iijima, Nana Yanagisawa, and Susumu Kurobe. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I attended a Showa Hero event in Nakano, Tokyo. It featured the cast and crew of the film Homecoming (2011), directed by Toshihiro Iijima and starring (among others) Susumu Kurobe and Nana Yanagisawa.

Of course, all three guests are no strangers to the world of kaiju and tokusatsu, and that's what really drew the folks in attendance to the event.

Susumu Kurobe poses with a Beta Capsule. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The featured guest was actor Susumu Kurobe, who portrayed Shin Hayata (Ultraman's alter ego) in the series of the same name. Before Ultraman, Kurobe-san was a Toho New Face who appeared in a numerous films produced by the studio. Among his most recognizable monster movies are Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (1964), Son of Godzilla (1967), King Kong Escapes (1967), Destroy All Monsters (1968), and Latitude Zero (1969). In later years, Kurobe-san returned to the Godzilla series during the Heisei era and can be seen in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) and Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992).

Director Toshihiro Iijima. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Director Toshihiro Iijima, who helmed episodes of Ultra Q (1966), Ultraman (1966-67), Ultra Seven (1967-68), and Operation: Mystery! (1968-69), was also there. He also directed the Tsuburaya Productions children's movie Daigoro vs. Goliath (1972).

Actress Kyoko Yashiro. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Accompanying Iijima-san was his wife, former Shintoho actress Kyoko Yashiro. Yashiro-san worked with acclaimed horror director Nobuo Nakagawa on The Lady Vampire (1959). She also appeared in Vampire Bride (1960) and The Ghost of the Girl Diver (1960). I first met her two years ago but hadn't seen her since then. I was very glad that she appeared at this event.

Nana Yanagisawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Also on hand was actress Nana Yanagisawa, who played Phantom Thief Selene on GoGo Sentai Boukenger (2006-07) and Megumi Aso on Kamen Rider Kiva (2008-09).

With Toshihiro Iijima.

The guests were all friendly and a lot of fun to see. I'd met all of them on previous occasions (with the exception of Yanagisawa-san), and I enjoyed seeing them again. Of course, any time you can meet Susumu Kurobe or Toshihiro Iijima is an opportunity not to be missed.

With Nana Yanagisawa.

Of all the guests in attendance, the one I spoke with the most was the unofficial guest, Kyoko Yashiro. Of course, she was never announced to the attendees, and it didn't seem that most folks even knew who she was. I instantly recognized her, and was pleased to find that she remembered me, too.

With Susumu Kurobe.

Suffice it to say, the event was Ultra-good, and I'm already looking forward to the next one. I just hope it isn't too far in the future!

With Kyoko Yashiro.

As always, this blog will be the place to learn about all the coolest happenings in Japan. Stay tuned!

FIFTY YEARS OF ULTRAMAN CONTINUED! The Next Day of This Star-Studded Event!

Tsuburaya Productions director Toshihiro Iijima during a Q&A session. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I attended another Ultraman event in Yokohama. The guest of honor again was director Toshihiro Iijima, who directed many episodes of Ultra Q (1966), Ultraman (1966-67), and Ultra Seven (1967-68). Episode 2 of Ultraman, which was directed by Iijima-san, was screened for attendees.

Actor Kai Shishido always keeps a friend in his shirt pocket. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Also on hand was actor Kai Shishido. If his surname sounds familiar, yes, he is the son of acclaimed Nikkatsu star Joe Shishido (Branded to Kill). Shishido-san portrayed Captain Shigeru Hijikata on Ultraman Max (2005-06), and a two-parter featuring Baltan Seijin from the series was screened in conjunction with his appearance.

While Ultraman was indeed the focal point of the day, I have to admit that a special surprise diverted my attention elsewhere.

Shintoho actress Kyoko Yashiro smiles for the camera. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I found out yesterday during the previous day's event that Iijima-san is married to Shintoho actress Kyoko Yashiro, who accompanied him on both days. Yashiro-san worked with acclaimed horror director Nobuo Nakagawa on The Lady Vampire (1959). She also appeared in Vampire Bride (1960) and The Ghost of the Girl Diver (1960). Suffice it to say, I was blown away -- in a good way!

Yashiro-san was very sweet and spoke to me about her career at Shintoho. I seemed much more interested in her career than anyone else was at the gathering, but I'm used to that by now!

All in all, it was a great day spent in great company. Many thanks to Iijima-san and Yashiro-san for their kindness and generosity.