Celebrating the New Year with a Toho VIP!

Toru Ibuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight (Wednesday, January 10), I had the distinct privilege of spending the evening with former Toho actor Toru Ibuki. Would you believe it had been about five years since I last met him? Ibuki-san turns 84 at the end of the month, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that he was still looking well. 

Toru Ibuki signs autographs. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Ibuki-san stays healthy by going for long walks and doing squats every day, which is hard even for me at my age!

I was able to attend a beginning-of-the-year party, at which Ibuki-san was the guest of honor. Ibuki-san and his daughter gave me a Godzilla-themed T-shirt as a gift, which I wasn't expecting but was more than pleased to receive. In honor of Ibuki-san's upcoming birthday, I presented him with not one but two omiyage boxes.

Of his own movies, Ibuki-san named Operation Enemy Fort (1962) as his favorite, as well as talking about some of his memories of Frank Sinatra in America. I asked Ibuki-san if he'd seen any movies recently, which he hasn't. I also enjoyed speaking to Ibuki-san's daughter on a wide range of topics.

Naturally, I couldn't resist bringing a few items to get signed, which Ibuki-san graciously did. The items were Blu-ray sleeves (of Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster and Terror of Mechagodzilla), as well as Godzilla Store cards of Sea Monster and Monster Zero. I told the attendees that Ibuki-san had a beard in Terror of Mechagodzilla, and, when I asked him if it was a real beard, he said it was.

The party lasted just over two hours, and I enjoyed every bit of it. I can't tell you how good it was to see Ibuki-san again after such a long time. It felt even better to see that he was doing well. Tonight was certainly an evening for the history books.

A NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS! Joining Toru Ibuki for a Night of Boxing!

Yours truly, seated next to former Toho actor Toru Ibuki, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

A few days ago, I was invited to join Toru Ibuki (Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster) for a night of boxing at Tokyo's legendary Korakuen Hall. Korakuen Hall is located next to the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo Dome City, and it is an excellent venue in which to host a boxing card.

Two heavyweight boxers give it their all in the ring. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It was my first live sporting event in Tokyo, and I couldn't have had a better time. Our seats were ringside, which only enhanced the excitement. While I'm much more of a pro wrestling fan (at least of pre-2001 pro wrestling), I had no trouble getting into the action. All the fighters brought their A-game and deserve the highest accolades for their efforts in the squared circle.

It's always great to see Ibuki-san, but it was that much cooler to take in an evening of boxing seated next to him. He is always a gracious host. Thank you very much, Ibuki-san!

TORU IBUKI STRIKES BACK! Getting to Hang Out Again with the Ex-Toho Player!

Toru Ibuki (left), my friend Asako (center), and yours truly are all smiles after today's meeting.

Today I had another chance to visit former Toho actor Toru Ibuki at his office. Ibuki-san appeared numerous monster movies at Toho, including: Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (1964), Monster Zero (1965), Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966), Destroy All Monsters (1968), and Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). He also can be seen in the Frank Sinatra-directed World War II drama None But the Brave (1965).

I always enjoy my meetings with Ibuki-san, who has become a close friend in the last year. I've seen him several times in 2014, and I hope for many more encounters next year! Thank you very much, Ibuki-san!

LUNCH WITH TORU IBUKI! A Wonderful Meeting with a Toho Icon!

Also earlier in the week was my lunch with former Toho actor Toru Ibuki. We had an enjoyable lunch near his office, during which he signed my Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (1964) DVD sleeve. It was already signed by the film's star, Yosuke Natsuki, so I was pleased to add Ibuki-san's!

Following our meal, we returned to his office, and he showed me many pictures and news clippings from his collection. It was exciting to see everything. As always, Ibuki-san was a generous and gracious host, and I hope to have a chance to see him again very soon!

SUMMER APPROACHES TOKYO! The Weather Gets Warmer, But Things Remain Just as Busy!

A quick note to mention that I met former Toho player Toru Ibuki at his office again on Thursday, May 29. I was able to spend a couple of hours with him and discuss his career at Toho and his current pursuits. Ibuki-san is a wonderful and welcoming gentleman, and I appreciate every time I visit him.

On Saturday, May 31, I attended a small Godzilla event with SFX director Teruysohi Nakano. The event with Nakano-san was limited to 15 people, so I'm happy I made it. As always, he told many interesting and funny stories (especially about the many octopuses used in King Kong vs. Godzilla) and was a class act all the way.

Nakano-san is always very friendly, and his events are always worth attending. I got a couple of things sigfned (including a Godzilla 1985 poster) and was quite pleased with everything. Now it's off to bed!

SNOWY TIMES IN TOKYO: Bad Weather Isn't Enough to Deter This Fan!

Before I begin, I should point out (as the title suggests) that Tokyo was hit by its worst snowstorm in about 16 years just before I made my way to the city. (I was there between February 9 and 11.) Despite that, most of my plans went on without a hitch, and I had a successful stay.

As pictured above, my friend Yasushi and I ate lunch with designer Akihiko Iguchi at an Indian restaurant.

Even though we first communicated circa 2006, I didn't meet Daniel Kahl until February 10. Although he is a well known TV personality in Japan, we Godzilla fans know him as the one and only Major Spielberg from Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)!

Now here was a major highlight. I got to spend a couple of hours chatting with Toho supporting actor Toru Ibuki on February 9 as well. Ibuki-san played the long-lost brother, Yata, in Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) and the bearded alien, Tsuda, in Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), among various other roles during the 1960s and '70s. Ibuki-san was incredibly warm and polite, as so many of the actors I've met have been.

Eating dinner with producer-writer-director Yoshimitsu Banno is almost a required event for me these days, but it's always enjoyable. Banno-san started at Toho during 1955, so the information at his fingertips is nothing short of amazing!