WE GOT THE BEAT! Live Manzai with Beat Kiyoshi!

Pancho Kagami (left) and Beat Kiyoshi (right) perform live manzai in Yokohama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One thing I hadn't experienced in Japan was live manzai. Sure, with my limited Japanese, it's not like there's a whole lot I could get from it, but since I've seen a couple of live rakugo performances, manzai seemed like the next logical step. Besides, I had a chance to see it performed by one of the best!

Actor-singer Mikio Osawa talks about his career. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight's event featured an star-studded lineup, headlined by manzai legend Beat Kiyoshi. If the "Beat" nickname sounds familiar, yes, he is the former manzai partner of actor-director Beat Takeshi. Together, they formed the manzai pair Two Beats, which is still remembered fondly in Japan. Tonight, Beat Kiyoshi's manzai partner was Pancho Kagami, formerly of the pop group Pinky & Killers.

Yours truly with tonight's manzai pair, Beat Kiyoshi (center) and Pancho Kagami (left). 

Also on hand was actor-singer Mikio Osawa, who is best known in Japan as a former member of the idol group Hikaru Genji (a client of the legendary management company Johnny & Associates). He's also been an actor in TV and movies since the '80s, and his credits include Devilman (2004).

With Mikio Osawa.

Osawa-san could speak a bit of English, and we talked for a bit. He was a friendly guy, and it was interesting to get to know a former idol. 

Tonight was a very interesting experience, and it was something I've never done before. It's important to remember that there's a whole world of entertainment in Japan beyond the same old monster movies!

SONNY CHIBA RETURNS! The Street Fighter Cleans Up Oimachi!

With actor Sonny Chiba. 

Tonight I attended a special event in Oimachi with actor Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba in attendance. I arrived late finishing work, but when I entered the reception area, Chiba-san was there and greeted me when he saw me. We took the above photo after he signed his book for me.

Also in attendance was Olympic wrestler Osamu Watanabe, who is a Guinness World Records holder for his unblemished record as a grappler. I first met Watanabe-san in May, and it was nice to catch up with him.

Pancho Kagami (of Pinky & Killers fame) was also on hand, and it was a lot of fun to see him again (as you can see from the above photo!).

Despite arriving late, I had an incredible time, and I hope we can all do it again soon!

SONNY CHIBA ROCKS TOKYO! The Toei Action Star Brings a Few Friends!

Viva Chiba! I was very fortunate to spend another evening in the company of screen legend Sonny Chiba.

Tonight, I enjoyed a star-studded dinner in Tokyo with Toei action star Shinichi Chiba (a.k.a. Sonny Chiba), and joining us were a couple of luminaries from the sports and entertainment world.

Yours truly with Olympic wrestler Osamu Watanabe.

Among the honored guests was Olympic wrestler Osamu Watanabe, who participated in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Watanabe-san is a Guinness World Records holder for never having lost even a single point during any of his wrestling matches, which is a feat no wrestler has ever duplicated to this day. Watanabe-san was very friendly and approachable and spoke quite a bit of English. I enjoyed getting to know this sports hero. 

Musician Pancho Kagami mugs for the camera. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Another notable person in attendance was Pancho Kagami, a member of the '60s pop group Pinky & Killers. The group had a huge hit called "Season of Love" ("Koi no Kisetsu"), which remains a famous tune in Japan to this day. A movie named after the hit song was produced by Nikkatsu Studios in 1969, and Kagami-san appears in the film along with his fellow band members.

Yours truly with Pancho Kagami. 

It was a great evening, and the meetings with Watanabe-san and Kagami-san made it all the more special. These types of dinner events don't just happen every night!

A big thanks to everyone who helped make it possible. What a fantastic evening!