Kaiju Eiga Secrets Revealed in New Q&A on Vantage Point Interviews!

Yoshio Suzuki in March 2024. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A new vintage account is now available on Vantage Point Interviews -- this time with Yoshio Suzuki, one of the five original suitmakers for the original Godzilla (1954). For the first time in English, Mr. Suzuki recounts his career at both Toho and Tsuburaya Productions, covering everything from the first two Godzilla movies to the enigmatic North Korean kaiju epic Pulgasari (1985).

It's all here in this brand-new Q&A from Vantage Point Interviews!

A New Q&A on Vantage Point Interviews!

Takeshi Miyanishi in May 2022. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 

Check out the latest vintage account on Vantage Point Interviews with compositor and optical-effects technician Takeshi Miyanishi. Mr. Miyanishi began working at Toho with Gorath (1962) on the tokusatsu side. 

While his memories of the early days are no longer as strong as they once were, he has vivid memories of working with Akira Kurosawa on Kagemusha (1980) and working on Pulgasari (1985) in North Korea. 

It's all right there on Vantage Point Interviews. Don't miss it -- be there!

A Visit with One of Tokusatsu's Greatest Art Directors!

Yoshio Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today (Sunday, March 24), I was privileged to meet art director Yoshio Suzuki, a veteran of Godzilla (1954) and numerous other Toho and Tsuburaya Productions works. Suzuki-san was one of the members of the modeling staff who worked on the original Godzilla suit, so to say that he is a living cinematic legend would be the understatement of the year.

Yoshio Suzuki signs a Godzilla (1954) mini poster. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Suzuki-san brought quite a few fascinating items with him. The most interesting thing had to be the photobook with various Mighty Peking Man (1977) stills in it, most likely taken by official Shaw Brothers photographers. I'd never seen any of those photos published anywhere before, so it was a rare glimpse into the history of that particular Hong Kong production.

Suzuki-san's wife Mitsuyo was also on hand for the meeting, and she was quite lovely. Suzuki-san was interested in seeing the photos of Pulgasari that I showed him on my phone again, so I arranged to send the photos to Mitsuyo-san before leaving. Mitsuyo-san also snapped a few photos of me on her phone when I was talking to her husband.

Suzuki-san was very lively and energetic for our two-hour-plus get-together. Would you believe he turns 90 next year? I wouldn't! Then again, on the way to our meeting room, we passed a friend of the Suzukis who was singing karaoke in the rec room of the building. That friend is 99 years old. The 100-year life is truly a reality in Japan.

A big thanks to the Suzukis for making this afternoon one to remember. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma, the Heisei-Era Godzilla Suit Actor, Passes Away at 76

Kenpachiro Satsuma in November 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It was announced via social media that Kenpachiro Satsuma, the actor inside the Godzilla suit from 1984 to 1995, passed away on December 16 at 10:49 a.m. due to interstitial pneumonia. He was 76.

Kenpachiro Satsuma in March 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Satsuma-san had been a fixture of fan conventions for decades, going back to G-CON '96, which was organized by the late John Rocco Roberto. Mr. Roberto and his associates brought Godzilla suit actors Haruo Nakajima and Ken Satsuma to America for the first time that summer in an event many others have tried to duplicate but never could. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma wearing a Pulgasari T-shirt in November 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

That event (as well as Mr. Roberto's other endeavors) were well before my time, which is something I've always regretted missing. Luckily, I was able to meet Satsuma-san several times over the years in Japan. 

With Kenpachiro Satsuma in November 2015.

I first met him in October 2012 at Super Festival, at which he was participating in a Q&A with fellow Godzilla suit actors Nakajima and Tsutomu Kitagawa about their suit-acting days.

Kenpachiro Satsuma in November 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The meeting was very brief, but I do remember saying sugoi (which is roughly the equivalent of "Wow!" or "Awesome!") about something, to which Satsuma-san quickly responded with the more masculine-sounding sugei. Gotta be as manly as possible around Godzilla. I found that quite amusing.

Tsutomu Kitagawa, Kenpachiro Satsuma, and Haruo Nakajima in October 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Right before a similar event in October 2014, I happened to bump into Satsuma-san on the Chuo-Sobu Line on the way to the venue. He and I (as well as a mutual friend) ended up walking to the event together. 

Hurricane Ryu and Kenpachiro Satsuma at a memorial event for Koichi Kawakita at Toho Studios in February 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

About a month later, in November 2014, I called Satsuma-san on his cell phone and asked him if he'd like to get together with a Japanese friend of mine and me at a cafe. He agreed, and we ended up meeting in Shibuya. I remember buying Satsuma-san a pricy omiyage for his trouble. 

Tsutomu Kitagawa, Haruo Nakajima, and Kenpachiro Satsuma in October 2014. Photo by Brett Homenick.

While I couldn't have predicted it at the time, we ended up having quite a candid discussion with Satsuma-san about a variety of topics. Suffice it to say, it was all rather eye-opening. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma at the ticket gate at Nakano Station in October 2014. Photo by Brett Homenick.

That has to be my favorite time in Satsuma-san's company. We ate at a cafe that was right next to Toho Cinemas Shibuya, which I thought that would make a perfect backdrop for some photos.

With Kenpachiro Satsuma in November 2014.

I would continue to see Satsuma-san at a variety of events in 2015. He was one of the guests at a celebration at Toho Studios honoring the memory of SFX director Koichi Kawakita, who had recently passed away. That same year, Satsuma-san also appeared at a couple of events with a limited number of participants at a restaurant in Kichijoji, Tokyo. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma in July 2020. Photo by Brett Homenick.

At the first one, which was held in July, I arrived late due to my work schedule, but Satsuma-san invited me to sit next to him, which was quite an honor. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma in March 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

At the second one, held in September, Satsuma-san showed me a piece of paper with English written phonetically in katakana that he used for introductions at American conventions in the past.

Kenpachiro Satsuma on the Chuo-Sobu Line in October 2014. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I helped Satsuma-san read it, and, while some of it was a little difficult to make out at first, we were able to figure out what it all meant. My favorite part of the introduction was his saying that Godzilla survives on nuclear fuel and that for him it is like eating a hamburger. Funny stuff!

Director Takao Okawara and Kenpachiro Satsuma in March 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

These days, I can't remember which of the two events it was, but Satsuma-san confided in me at one of them that (to the best of my recollection all these years later) he was interviewed by a reporter for his role as Godzilla in Godzilla 1985 (1984). 

Kenpachiro Satsuma and Hurricane Ryu in July 2020. Photo by Brett Homenick.

About 10 years later, he ran into the same reporter, who by this time had become some kind of high-ranking individual at the publication. Seeing as how Satsuma-san was still a suit actor at the time and hadn't "moved up" in his career, he felt a bit of pressure when he found out about that.

SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano and Kenpachiro Satsuma in November 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I thought that was rather surprising, considering that the role from which he hadn't yet graduated was the same role that earned him international fame and acclaim, and I'm sure nobody outside of Japan had ever heard of the reporter in question.

Kenpachiro Satsuma in October 2014. Photo by Brett Homenick.

But it just goes to show that, as much as we may revere a person and honor his accomplishments, he may not see himself the same way when he looks in the mirror.

Tsutomu Kitagawa, Haruo Nakajima, and Kenpachiro Satsuma in October 2014. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After 2015, Satsuma-san would become a bit more scarce at gatherings in Tokyo. He turned up at one in March 2017 with Heisei-era director Takao Okawara for a screening of Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992). Another time, he shared the stage with director Kazuki Omori and actress Megumi Odaka at a Tokusatsu DNA event in December 2018. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma in March 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The last time I would ever see Satsuma-san was in July 2020. It was at a screening for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), which he attended with Hurricane Ryu. Satsuma-san was noticeably frail but still affable as always. 

In between Kenpachiro Satsuma and Hurricane Ryu in July 2020.

There, he talked about the difficulty of acting as Hedorah in Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971), how much he liked playing Gigan, and some of the challenges filming Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995).

With Isao Zushi, Hurricane Ryu, and Kenpachiro Satsuma in July 2020.

After the event, a group of us went to the izakaya that was owned and operated by Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) suit actor Isao Zushi. It was an incredibly rare opportunity to hang out with these two Godzilla suit actors at the same time. 

Kenpachiro Satsuma and Isao Zushi in July 2020. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Following that event, it seemed nobody could get a hold of Satsuma-san. I know I tried a few times but got no reply. Phone calls went unanswered, and text messages went unread.

Kenpachiro Satsuma in March 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A suit actor who has done appearances at conventions with Satsuma-san in the past recently told me that he hadn't heard from Satsuma-san in a long time, either, and was very worried about him. Everyone I'd spoken to in the last couple of years about Satsuma-san had a similar response.

Tsutomu Kitagawa, Kenpachiro Satsuma, and Haruo Nakajima in October 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick

As a result, I can't say the news is shocking. It's incredibly sad, but I've been expecting it for a while. Satsuma-san was a very kind gentleman, and I wish I'd gotten to know him better. In the last few years, I really wanted to interview him, which I actually kind of avoided in my early years living in Japan.

With Kenpachiro Satsuma in October 2014.

I mean, Satsuma-san had been interviewed so many times by so many different people, what could have been left to say? At least that was my reasoning back then, but, as time went on, I gradually realized just how much there was left for him to say. I wish he could have said it.

With Kenpachiro Satsuma in March 2017.

Rest in peace, Satsuma-san. Thank you very much for stomping your way into my life. Your place in film history is assured. 

Vantage Point Interviews Returns with Two Great Interviews!

Yoshiro Uchida in March 2022. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Vantage Point Interviews returns with a brand-new vintage account -- this time with former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, who played the young boy Toshio in the Daiei classic Gamera the Giant Monster (1965), a.k.a. Gammera the Invincible (1966). His memories of those days are few, but it's still a fascinating read. Check it out!

Yours truly with Uchida-san after the interview in March 2022.

But that's not all! The second of three interviews with Toho special effects director Eiichi Asada has also been posted! In this interview, Asada-san describes the bulk of his assistant-directing career at Toho during the mid-1970s through the mid-'80s. Asada-san describes what it was like to work under tokusatsu directors Teruyoshi Nakano and Koichi Kawakita.

Eiichi Asada in June 2021. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Asada-san's memories of the Godzilla and other tokusatsu films that he worked on during this time are rather detailed, so don't miss out on this one! Content is once again king at Vantage Point Interviews!

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT! Toho SFX Giants in Yokohama!

Teruyoshi Nakano and Kenpachiro Satsuma react to a comment from the audience.

Kenpachiro Satsuma listens to Teruyoshi Nakano's detailed explanations.

Teruyoshi Nakano is all smiles as he recalls his career in special effects.

The gang's all here! Eiichi Asada, Teruyoshi Nakano, and Kenpachiro Satsuma have a blast as they remember the past.

Yours truly with Eiichi Asada.

Good times with Godzilla suit actor Ken Satsuma!

Spending an evening with Takashi Naganuma always brings a smile to my face.

TOHO SFX GREATS CONVERGE! Yokohama Is the Site of the Event!

Eiichi Asada, Teruyoshi Nakano, and Kenpachiro Satsuma discuss their career in SFX. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Saturday, November 14, saw a fun and lively event in Yokohama that hosted several notable names from the world of Japanese special effects. Teruyoshi Nakano (Godzilla series SFX director from 1971-1984), Kenpachiro Satsuma (Godzilla suit actor from 1984-1995), and Eiichi Asada (Godzilla series SFX director from 2003-2004) were on hand to talk shop about tokusatsu.

Teruyoshi Nakano makes a point as Ken Satsuma listens intently. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

The three SFX giants talked a great deal about the making of Pulgasari (1985), one of the more fascinating monster epics ever made. One interesting bit of information was told to me by Toho model-maker Takashi Naganuma. He told me that the name of Pulgasari refers to a starfish and that, like a starfish, Pulgasari cannot be killed.

Eiichi Asada shares his memories with an intrigued audience. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Following the talk, it was dinnertime! All four of the guests sat with the fans and mingled with the crowd. Everyone was welcome to get pictures and their items signed. It was also a chance for fellow fans to catch up with one another. Many great discussions were had this evening.

Ken Satsuma shows off his Pulgasari shirt. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I had a particularly fascinating with Eiichi Asada, who told me about his work on Godzilla vs. Megalon. He operated the clapperboard and told me about the proper techniques for using it. After clapping the board, the user should whisk it out of frame as quickly as possible and bring it against his chest in order to reduce noise.

Sharing a happy moment with Eiichi Asada.

He also told me about the chalk dust that would often invade a scene once a clapperboard had been used. In order to keep chalk dust from rising (and interfering with the scene), Asada-san told me that he would apply moisture to the chalk to ensure it wouldn't come off the board.

Godzilla suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma signals his approval of this photo.

Given that all four of the guests had worked on Godzilla vs. Megalon, I brought a mini poster for them to sign. It turned out extremely well, and I'm very proud to add it to my collection.

Spending time with Toho model-maker Takashi Naganuma, as Shin Kishida looks over our shoulder.

It was another excellent event, the only kind one can experience in Japan. The month is stacked with many great events, so keep watching this space!