Celebrating the Life and Career of Director Nobuo Nakagawa!

Nobuo Nakagawa, as painted by Yuji Yorimoto. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday, June 20, I attended a special tribute event for one of Japan's most recognized directors around the world, Nobuo Nakagawa (1905-1984). The event was held at the Laputa Asagaya, a venue at which I've seen countless movies over the years. For this Nobuo Nakagawa event, I elected to attend only the reception.

A script for The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959) on display. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last month, I received an invitation to attend via email, and naturally I RSVPed. All I knew was that the guest of honor would be Yuji Yorimoto, who worked as an assistant director for director Nakagawa on television for series like Oniwaban (1968) and The Wandering Samurai (1973). Mr. Yorimoto, who was born in 1941, is currently a painter.

Akihide Tsuzawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I entered the hall as Mr. Yorimoto was finishing up his Q&A. In the audience, I thought I saw Akihide Tsuzawa, who worked with director Nakagawa as a child actor, but in the moment I couldn't be 100% sure. After the interview was over, and I was looking at some of the artwork and photos on display, Mr. Tsuzawa approached me and asked if I was me. Well, of course I'm me! Mr. Tsuzawa didn't know I had returned to Japan and was surprised to see me. He also wasn't quite sure if it was me because I've apparently lost a little weight since he last saw me. It's true; I haven't been chowing down like I used to!

With Akihide Tsuzawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I spent a good while chatting with Mr. Tsuzawa and even exchanged phone numbers and messaging-app info with him until he was called upon to give a kampai speech in honor of director Nakagawa. I caught up with Mr. Tsuzawa toward the end of the reception and continued our conversation.

Shinkichi Nakagawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I also greeted the son of director Nakagawa, Shinkichi Nakagawa, who greeted me and thanked me for coming back to the event. If I recall correctly, I only saw Mr. Nakagawa in passing at the last one I attended, so it'd been a few years since we actually spoke to one another.

With Shinkichi Nakagawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One semi-amusing anecdote was, when I went to say my farewells to Mr. Nakagawa, a staff member was introducing a young man to Mr. Nakagawa, pointing out that he was 19 years old. So I joked that I was also just 19 years old, to which Mr. Nakagawa replied something like, "And then some!" Really glad I got a chance to see Mr. Nakagawa again.

Tomoo Haraguchi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

At these particular events, it's rare to see a figure from the film world in attendance who didn't have some direct connection with director Nakagawa, so I was surprised when I spied Tomoo Haraguchi in the audience.

With Tomoo Haraguchi.

It was doubly surprising because Mr. Haraguchi is a pretty rare guest at recent kaiju-related events, so it was great to speak with him and to get his business card. 

Masahisa Sakashita with Mr. Yorimoto. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Right before I left, I wanted to greet Masahisa Sakashita, whom I've met at each Nobuo Nakagawa event I've attended. While he worked his way up through Nikkatsu Studios during the 1970s, more recently he has worked as a freelance television director.

With Masahisa Sakashita. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Mr. Sakashita asked me what Nikkatsu movies I liked since that was his studio. I named Gappa (1967) and the movies of director Seijun Suzuki and actress Masako Izumi. I think he was a bit surprised that I actually knew some names!

With Mr. Yorimoto.

And that's a wrap! It was raining cats and dogs when I attended, but the fun I had and connections I made during the event certainly made the trek well worth it. 

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!

NOBUO NAKAGAWA CELEBRATED! Attending a Special Event Honoring the Legendary Director!

Composer Chumei Watanabe answers questions during a Q&A. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, September 23, I had the honor of attending a special event in Tokyo celebrating the career of director Nobuo Nakagawa. It was my first time to attend such an event, but I was really surprised at how impressive it was. There were quite a few luminaries on hand for the festivities -- much more than I expected.

Shinkichi Nakagawa, the son of director Nakagawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The event kicked off with a screening of Nakagawa's Ningyo Sashichi torimonocho: Oedo Ushimitsudoki (1957), which was scored by the event's guest of honor: 93-year-old composer Chumei Watanabe. I missed the film screening but arrived just in time for Watanabe-sensei's Q&A following the event.

With Shinkichi Nakagawa.

I was amazed when Watanabe-sensei mentioned my interview with him last July at the end of his interview session, during which he also discussed the interest his work has among many fans internationally. He's proud of the international following his work enjoys -- and rightfully so.

Actress Sumiko Abe. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

After Watanabe-sensei's interview, the group gathered in a nearby restaurant that had been reserved specifically for the event. The gathering was a veritable "who's who" of friends, family, and colleagues of director Nakagawa. I was quite surprised at just who was in attendance.

With actress Sumiko Abe.

The first person I was introduced to was the director's son, Shinkichi. I certainly wasn't expecting to meet him at the event! We exchanged greetings as well as business cards.

Director Masahisa Sakashita. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Also on hand was actress Sumiko Abe, whose credits are very impressive. She had just turned 88 years old on September 3, but you wouldn't have guessed it had you not already known. She was incredibly spry and in great spirits. Among her credits are: Toho's Love in a Teacup (1953), starring Toshiro Mifune and directed by Yasuki Chiba, Shintoho's The Depths (1957), directed by Nobuo Nakagawa, and Shochiku's Flag in the Mist (1965), directed by Yoji Yamada.

Akihide Tsuzawa. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

I also met 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.

With Akihide Tsuzawa.

I also had a fun chat with actor Akihide Tsuzawa, best known for playing Hoshino on the original Ultraman (1966-67) TV series. I was pleased to find that Tsuzawa-san remembered me from our first meeting two years prior. He also called me cool, which coming from a veteran of the original Ultraman is quite a compliment. 

Chumei Watanabe. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Suffice it to say, I met a lot more folks than I had ever anticipated. Toward the end of the event, while the MC was handing the microphone to the various special guests on hand, he offered me the microphone. I had no idea what to say, but I did my best to muster something. After saying a few things, I noticed Watanabe-sensei walking in my direction, so I handed him the mike. I was very thankful for his well timed assist!

What an afternoon! I elected to miss the latest Super Festival in order to attend, and I'm very glad I did. The more recent Super Festivals have been pretty lackluster (in my opinion, of course), but this event was anything but. One for the history books, for sure!