Nikkatsu Actress Masako Izumi Passes Away at 77

Masako Izumi in February 2015. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Nikkatsu starlet Masako Izumi passed away on July 9 at 1:03 p.m. at her home after a battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. She was 77.

Ms. Izumi, who was born on July 31, 1947, began her acting career in 1958 and quickly became a star when she signed with Nikkatsu Studios in the early 1960s. At Nikkatsu, she starred in such films as Toshio Masuda's tragic World War II drama Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968), Seijun Suzuki's Tattooed Life (1965), and Kirio Urayama's Each Day I Cry (1963).

Masako Izumi holds a poster for her film The Bride Is 15 Years Old (1964) in February 2019. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I was fortunate enough to meet Ms. Izumi multiple times at various events between 2015 and 2023. You can tell by the photos accompanying this blog post that she was always fun to spend time with. Unlike many Japanese actresses who attain a certainly level of fame, she was about as easygoing and unpretentious as it gets. 

Masako Izumi under a poster for her film Thank You for the Tears (1965) in January 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A very interesting story that Ms. Izumi once shared is that she was offered a part in the movie Sanjuro (1962) personally by Akira Kurosawa. However, she had just signed with Nikkatsu Studios at the time, so she couldn't join Kurosawa's production. The part she was offered ended up going to Toho actress Reiko Dan.

With Masako Izumi in June 2023.

Another fun story is that Ms. Izumi watched some of the monster scenes in Gappa the Triphibian Monster (1967) being filmed at Nikkatsu. It was her first time to see the production side of tokusatsu in person, so it left quite an impression on her.

With Masako Izumi in January 2016.

Aside from being a prolific Nikkatsu Studios actress during the 1960s, she turned her attention to becoming an adventurer in the 1980s, attempting to become the first woman to visit the North Pole on foot and sled in 1985.

Masako Izumi poses with a poster for Toshio Masuda's Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968) in June 2023. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Unfortunately, she was not able to complete her attempt, and another woman, Ann Bancroft (not the actress with the similar name), became the first in 1986. Undaunted, Ms. Izumi became only the second woman to travel to the North Pole in 1989.

Masako Izumi in January 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

According to NHK, Ms. Izumi fell in May of this year and was hospitalized in Tokyo. While recovering at home, her health suddenly declined, and she passed away. 

Ms. Izumi leaves behind an acting legacy few Japanese actresses of the Showa era can match. May she rest in peace.

Seeing 'Branded to Kill' in 4K in Ikebukuro!

Branded to Kill (1967) at the Shin Bungeiza. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, November 5, my friend Jacob and I attended a screening of Nikkatsu's Branded to Kill (1967), Seijun Suzuki's stylish crime thriller at Ikebukuro's Shin Bungeiza theater. The film was represented in a 4K remaster that looked absolutely perfect on the big screen. 

Branded to Kill at the Shin Bungeiza. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I first saw the movie circa 2013 on DVD. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed with the movie at the time. I could recognize the talent and hard work that went into it, but I felt the story itself was rather boring. The story simply couldn't hook me. 

Actress Anne Mari. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Unfortunately, I had the same reaction this time. The visuals were excellent, but the story was lacking. It just never grabbed me, and by the end I was getting a bit bored. I wish I could love it like most other film fans do, but I don't. I find it a rather tiresome exercise in style over substance.

Actress Anne Mari. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The highlight, however, was the Q&A with actress Anne Mari after the screening. She couldn't always answer the interviewer's questions -- admitting multiple times that she just couldn't remember what happened in those particular instances -- but she was in great spirits and was a joy to see. When the audience was taking photos, my friend Jacob waved to her, which caused her to notice us. She asked us from the stage if we could understand Japanese, to which I gave her a thumbs up or an OK gesture (can't remember which) to tell her we were fine. 

I'd met Anne Mari at two previous events, so this was my first time to see her in person since late 2017. I wish I could have had the chance to speak with her personally, but you can't win them all. It was lovely just to see her again.

An Evening with a 1960s Nikkatsu Starlet!

Masako Izumi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Well, it had been a long time, but it was well worth the wait! Tonight (Saturday, June 10), I attended a special event with former Nikkatsu Studios actress Masako Izumi. The last time I met her was just before the pandemic, so it had been several years. But it was wonderful to see her again, and it felt like no time had passed at all.

Masako Izumi poses with a poster for Monument to the Girls' Corps. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Izumi-san (born in 1947) began her acting career in 1958 and quickly became a star when she signed with Nikkatsu Studios in the early 1960s. At Nikkatsu, she starred in such films as Toshio Masuda's tragic World War II drama Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968) and Seijun Suzuki's Tattooed Life (1965).

Masako Izumi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Even after so long, she recognized me when she saw me and asked me how I'd been, which was a pleasant surprise. I can't say I always get recognized, and, given that nearly three and a half years had passed since we last met, you can never be sure. 

I was fortunate to sit across from Izumi-san during the dinner portion of the event, which made chatting with her easy. And chat we did! Izumi-san was full of energy and didn't let up the whole evening. I asked her about working with director Toru Murakawa on Monument to the Girls' Corps (on which he was an assistant director), as well as the time she was being considered for the role in Akira Kurosawa's Sanjuro (1962) but ultimately couldn't participate because she was signed to Nikkatsu. (The role eventually went to Reiko Dan.)

Izumi-san felt lucky to join Nikkatsu, as she liked the youth pictures they were producing. It was a good fit for her, so feels she ended up at the right studio. Still, I'm sure any actor would consider a role in a Kurosawa movie a plus for his or her resume. We also joked around about various random things, including her dislike of shochu, and it was all a lot of fun. Honestly, it was the most fun I've had at an event like this in a while. Izumi-san is truly something else!

When I left, I approached Izumi-san to let her know. She extended her hand to me, and we shook hands. She also said the Japanese equivalent of, "See you again." I certainly hope so. Tonight was a lot of fun, and I definitely want to do it all over again!

Nikkatsu Studios Director Yukihiro Sawada Passes Away

Yukihiro Sawada in March 2019. Photo by Brett Homenick.

According to various social media posts, longtime Nikkatsu director Yukihiro Sawada has recently passed away. No other details are available at the moment, including the cause or even date of death. However, it is likely he was 89 years old at the time of his passing, especially since Sawada-san apparently attended a Q&A event in June of this year.

Yukihiro Sawada in March 2019. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yukihiro Sawada was born on January 15, 1933, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. He graduated from Chuo University’s Faculty of Economics in 1956 and joined Nikkatsu Studios after graduating from university. There, he worked on the legendary director Seijun Suzuki, among many others.

Yukiro Sawada in November 2019. Photo by Brett Homenick.

He debuted as a film director in his own right in 1970, directing Tetsuya Watari in the movie Attack (1970). He went on to direct the violent 1978 cult flick Panic in High School (alongside co-director Gakuryu Ishii), as well as the tokusatsu feature film Moonlight Mask (1981). He remained at Nikkatsu until 1983, after which he worked freelance.

In between Miyoko Akaza (left) and Yukihiro Sawada in November 2019.

Sawada-san is, however, probably best remembered for his work in television, having helmed episodes of the hit TV series Howl at the Sun! (1972-86), Seibu Keisatsu (1979-84), and Detective Story (1979-80). But, for tokusatsu fans, he directed the very first episode of the Nikkatsu-produced, pre-Super Sentai action series Strada 5 (1974), which seemed to anticipate many of the tropes that would come to be associated with that famous franchise.

With Yukihiro Sawada in March 2019.

I had the privilege of meeting Sawada-san three times over the years. I just wish I was more familiar with his career and could have talked to him in more detail about it.

Rest in peace, Sawada-san.

UPDATE (9/23): According to screenwriter Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Sawada-san passed away on September 21.

Nikkatsu in the Evening!

Masako Izumi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Immediately after work tonight, I attended an event with former Nikkatsu actress Masako Izumi. If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you ought to recognize her by now. She's been doing events once a year in February for the last five years. I've attended each one.

Izumi-san began her acting career in 1958 and quickly became a star when she signed with Nikkatsu Studios in the early 1960s. At Nikkatsu, she starred in such films as Toshio Masuda's tragic World War II drama Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968) and Seijun Suzuki's Tattooed Life (1965). Naturally, she has many other roles to her credit.

She's always a lot of fun to hang out with. Occasionally, actresses can be a bit challenging to deal with, but not Izumi-san. She's one of the warmest and friendliest I've ever met. It was great to share some laughs with her and listen to her stories about some of the Nikkatsu directors she's worked with. It was a great way to spend an evening.

Nikkatsu Night with Actress Masako Izumi!

Masako Izumi: Then and now! Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Tonight, I attended a dinner event with former Nikkatsu star Masako Izumi. There's usually such an event with Izumi-san around this time of year, and I've been attending since 2015.

Izumi-san began her acting career in 1958 and quickly became a star when she signed with Nikkatsu Studios in the early 1960s. At Nikkatsu, she starred in such films as Toshio Masuda's tragic World War II drama Monument to the Girls' Corps (1968) and Seijun Suzuki's Tattooed Life (1965). Naturally, she has many other roles to her credit.

Izumi-san is always a lot of fun to hang out with. She is completely approachable and more than friendly with her fans. I look forward to attending the next one next year!

NIKKATSU NIGHT! Meeting a Notable Player from the Studio's History!

 Keisuke Noro. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday night, I was privileged to meet former Nikkatsu Studios actor Keisuke Noro. Of course, Noro-san has no connection at all to tokusatsu, but my interest in Japanese movies goes well beyond the monsters.

Noro-san's career at Nikkatsu dates back to the 1950s. Among his better-known credits in the West are Seijun Suzuki's Take Aim at the Police Van (1960) and the cult classic A Colt Is My Passport (1967), both of which were released by Criterion. In fact, I had my DVD sleeves of both signed by Noro-san.

It was a great evening in the company of an actor who rarely makes personal appearances. In the future, I'll be sure to seek out more films in which Keisuke Noro is featured.