An Ultra-Good Photography Exhibit in Yotsuya!

Signage for "Bath Time" at the Portrait Gallery of the Nippon Photography Center. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This afternoon (Thursday, April 20), I stopped by a photo exhibition dedicated to the work of photographer Akiko Fukushima in Yotsuya, Tokyo, which runs from today until April 26 in the Portrait Gallery of the Nippon Photography Center. Fukushima-san had been married to actor Masanari Nihei (Ide/Ito from the 1966-67 Ultraman TV series) until his passing in 2021. 

Masanari Nihei enjoys "Bath Time." Photo by Brett Homenick.

Even though I hadn't been there in years, I remember passing by this gallery a long time ago and seeing some eye-catching photos of Showa-era actors on display. When I saw the news about the photo exhibition, I figured it had to be the same place and was able to find it easily. Thankfully, my instincts were correct!

On hand at the exhibition were Fukushima-san herself, as well as her daughter, Kazuka. I had a lot of fun chatting with Kazuka about her father and (naturally) about herself, too. I wasn't sure if anyone related to Nihei-san was even going to be there, so it was certainly an added bonus for me.

With Akiko Fukushima.

I should explain that the photo exhibition consisted of a series of photos called "Bath Time," and (as the name would suggest) it features various Japanese celebrities bathing. This, of course, includes Nihei-san himself. According to a sign at the exhibition, it started in 1984, and Fukushima-san explained to me that the whole project lasted about a year. "Bath Time" was serialized in a weekly magazine called Emma.

Other Japanese celebs who participated in "Bath Time" include Tatsuya Nakadai, Sandayu Dokumamushi, Jiro Dan, Ichiro Mizuki (with sheet music in the shower!), and Hiroshi Miyauchi. Miyauchi-san's picture was the last to be put up. In fact, when I entered the gallery, a staff member was hammering in the hooks for his picture to hang on the wall!

Akiko Fukushima poses with the photo she took of her husband. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Akiko Fukushima is a photographer and haiku poet. She was born in Tokyo in 1943 and graduated from Nihon University College of Art's Photography Department in 1965. "Bath Time" remains one of her most famous works.

Mother and daughter. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One interesting tidbit that Fukushima-san told me was that the photo of Nakadai-san was taken while he was making Akira Kurosawa's Ran (1985), and you could even see a horse in the shot! Pretty fun stuff.

Takeshi Yoshioka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After I left, in a total coincidence, I ran into Ultraman Gaia (1998-99) star Takeshi Yoshioka! I immediately saw him as I stepped out of the building. I told him about the exhibition, but he actually wasn't aware of it. He took a photo of the signage on his phone, and then I snapped a photo on mine.

Naturally, there had to be a selfie with him, too! He said he'd check it out later, which sounded Ultra-good to me. What a fun afternoon! I didn't expect it to be as fun as it was, so it was a pleasant surprise. It was most definitely an Ultra-good day!

The Return of Ultraman Gaia!

Takeshi Yoshioka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 Also on Wednesday, I paid another visit to the bar owned and operated by actor Takeshi Yoshioka, who played Ultraman Gaia's human alter ego on Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman Gaia (1998-99). Although it had been a long time since I set foot in his establishment, Yoshioka-san immediately recognized me and commented that I'm "forever young." Hey, those were his words, not mine!

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Yoshioka-san again. At one point, he picked up his smartphone and called Maria Theresa Gow, his Ultraman Gaia co-star, whom I've met several times. Then he handed the phone over to me for me to chat with her. That was certainly unexpected, but it was another fun memory from the evening. Many thanks to Yoshioka-san for his unparalleled hospitality!

Postscript: On Saturday night (March 30), when I entered the train to go home, Ms. Gow was standing right there on the train. So we had another nice chat. Quite a coincidence!

AN EVENING WITH ULTRAMAN GAIA! Takeshi Yoshioka Rocks!

Ultraman Gaia's alter ego Takeshi Yoshioka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After a long day at work (can't you tell from the photos?), I made my way to the drinking establishment owned and operated by actor Takeshi Yoshioka, best known for playing Gamu Takayama, Ultraman Gaia's alter ego, on Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman Gaia (1998-99).  

Yoshioka-san very recently made his return to the world of Ultraman by guesting on the Amazon Prime Video series Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga (2016-17) as the same character he played in Ultraman Gaia.

I hadn't seen Yoshioka-san since last year, so I enjoyed seeing him again. I really ought to visit more often, but life often gets in the way of those plans. Anyhow, it was a great time, and I look forward to doing it again soon.

ULTRAMAN GAIA IN TOKYO! Seeing Two Cast Members in the Big City!

Taking a selfie with Ultraman Gaia star Takeshi Yoshioka. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Saturday, I went to the bar owned and operated by actor Takeshi Yoshioka, Ultraman Gaia's alter ego from Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman Gaia (1998-99). Although the place was crowded due to some live musical performances that were taking place, I still managed to have a nice chat with Yoshioka-san.

Ultraman Gaia actress Maria Theresa Gow performs live. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Friday evening, I attended a live performance in Ginza by Maria Theresa Gow, who sang a variety of songs (jazz, pop, you name it) and entertained the packed audience. Gow-san played Georgie Leland in Ultraman Gaia. Likewise, I enjoyed chatting with her for a bit.

ULTRAMAN GAIA RULES YOTSUYA! Actor Takeshi Yoshioka Keeps a Watchful Eye Over Tokyo!

Actor Takeshi Yoshioka always keeps his tokusatsu memorabilia handy! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight I spent the evening at Live Bar Grotto, a Yotsuya-based restaurant owned and operated by actor Takeshi Yoshioka, who starred as the title character in Ultraman Gaia (1998-99). It was my first time back to the establishment in three years. Still, it was exactly as I remembered it.

Posing with Ultraman Gaia himself!

Yoshioka-san was very friendly and spoke a little English. We talked about American music, his visit to California several years ago, the Ultraman series, and other topics. It was great to catch up with Yoshioka-san again, and I promised that next time I would return sooner than three years!

TOKYO ROUND-UP: A Look Back in Pictures, July 2013

Having lunch with actress Shelley Sweeney, July 21. Getting the chance to hang out with Shelley again was another highlight.

The arrival of summer vacation means I get lots of free time. And what better way to spend that free time than go to Tokyo for another trip?

I enjoyed taking in a morning screening of an old Yumi Shirakawa Toho film, in which she co-stars with Tadao Takashima.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon with actor and musician Mickey Curtis, just before his birthday. Mr. Curtis has many amazing stories to tell!

Meeting Ultraman Gaia himself, Takeshi Yoshioka, was another surprise. My friend Masahiro-san took me to the bar owned by Mr. Yoshioka, who was very happy to chat and pose for pictures.

Talkin' Toho with Yoshimitsu Banno. Seeing Banno-san in Tokyo is nearly a sure bet every time I go. Another gentleman who is happy to share his memories.

I got to meet Keiko Nishi for the second time. Ms. Nishi is an Ultraman Ace cast member who is as sweet and warm as a person can get. It's always a joy to meet her.

Screenwriters Hiroshi Kashiwabara and Wataru Mimura were another highlight. I've gotten to know Mimura-san quite well, but this was only my second meeting with Kashiwabara-san. As expected, much fun was had by all!