A Woman's Gamble

The poster for today's feature, Daiei's A Woman's Gamble (1966). Photo by Brett Homenick. 

After Super Festival, I attended a screening of A Woman's Gamble (1966) at the National Film Archive of Japan. The screening was a part of its program honoring notable figures in the Japanese film industry whom we lost in 2017 and 2018.

A poster for the Nikkatsu film Yoi-machi-gusa (1974). Photo by Brett Homenick. 

A Woman's Gamble is the first in the long-running Woman Gambler series at Daiei. Starring Kyoko Enami and directed by Shigeo Tanaka, the movie is quite different, to say the least, from their previous collaboration, Gamera vs. Barugon (1966). Although I was interested in seeing the film, I must admit that it moved a bit too slowly for my tastes.

A poster for Toho's Sun Above, Death Below (1968). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Outside the theater, I took some photos of other films I've seen over the years, such as Yoi-machi-gusa (1974) with Yoko Takahashi and Sun Above, Death Below (1968) with Yuzo Kayama. 

Japanese Actress Kyoko Enami Passes Away

Kyoko Enami in a recent photo.

Japanese actress Kyoko Enami, best remembered for her starring role in Daiei’s Gamera vs. Barugon (1966) as Karen, passed away on October 27 after a long battle with emphysema. She was 76.

Rest in peace, Ms. Enami.

Typhoons Won't Stop the Drama!

 Shoji Mori (left) and Masanori Machida share a laugh as they wrap up the evening's event. Photo by Brett Homenick.

As a typhoon approched Tokyo, I attended another dramatic reading with actors Masanori Machida and Shoji Mori. By the time I arrived, it wasn't even raining, but as I type this, the wind and the rain are in full force.

After the event wrapped, I asked Mori-san to sign my DVD sleeve of Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman (1971), in which he appears. Mori-san was surprised and commented on how nostalgic it was for him to see it.

Attending a Live Reading of Jidai Geki!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday evening, I attended a dramatic reading of jidai geki period pieces with actors Masanori Machida and Shoji Mori. Afterward, I attended the post-event party and socialized with a few of the folks there. A great evening with some great company! 

Sakura with Shoji Mori

Shoji Mori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On the evening of March 31, I attended another lecture by actor Shoji Mori, this time on cherry blossom season in Japan. Mori-san, of course, is a veteran of the Zatoichi and Woman Gambler series, as well as numerous other movie and TV productions dating back to the mid-1960s. His lectures are always well worth attending.

Attending Another Lecture by Shoji Mori

Shoji Mori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday night, right after work, I attended another lecture hosted by actor Shoji Mori. I've attended several of these during the last couple of years, and it's always quite interesting.

While I may not know a lot about the subject matter, I'm fascinated by Mori-san's acting career, which includes the Zatoichi series, as well as Daiei's Woman Gambler films. As always, it was another fun evening!

SHOJI MORI ON OLD JAPANESE CULTURE! His Lecture Series Continues!

Actor Shoji Mori. Phoro by Brett Homenick.

Tonight, I dropped in on another lecture by actor Shoji Mori, a veteran of the Zatoichi series, Daiei's Woman Gambler series, and even the Mito Komon TV series. Suffice it to say, his credits are expansive.

I always enjoy the opportunity to see Mori-san. I have a scheduling conflict with next month's lecture, so this will likely be the last time this year. But there's always next year!

OLD TOKYO REMEMBERED! Actor Shoji Mori Keeps the Culture Alive!

Actor Shoji Mori. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Saturday evening, September 9, actor Shoji Mori hosted another discussion of Edo and old Tokyo culture. The crowd was a bit more intimate than usual, and I'm sure the last-minute announcement of the event had a lot to do with that. But I prefer smaller crowds, anyway, so it was a bonus in my book.

As readers of this blog ought to know by now, Shoji Mori began his career primarily in television during the mid-1960s, but by the '70s he began appearing in some notable films. Among his credits are: Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman (1971), Woman Gambler's Iron Rule (1971), Zatoichi in Desperation (1972), and Slaughter in the Snow (1973). On TV, Mori-san appears in episode 3 of Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81), and episode 3 of the third season of the Shin Zatoichi TV series (1979).

It was another fun evening, and Mori-san, as always, was a true gentleman. See you again soon!

SHOJI MORI TALKS! The Film and TV Actor Comments on Edo Life!

Actor Shoji Mori makes a point about Edo culture. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Tonight, I attended another presentation hosted by actor Shoji Mori, again focusing on Edo-era culture. Mori-san hosts these lectures about once a month, and I attend when I can.

As I've written previously, Mori-san's credits include: Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman (1971), Woman Gambler's Iron Rule (1971), Zatoichi in Desperation (1972), and Slaughter in the Snow (1973). When it comes to TV, Mori-san can be seen on episode 3 of Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81), and episode 3 of the third season of the Shin Zatoichi TV series (1979). Of course, his other acting credits are quite extensive, going back to the mid-1960s.

As usual, it was quite a fascinating experience and a real departure from my usual activities, but very enjoyable all the same. Many thanks to Mori-san for making it happen!

SHOJI MORI ON EDO! The Daiei and Toho Actor Talks Old Tokyo!

Actor Shoji Mori reacts to a comment by an audience member. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Shoji Mori is a film and television actor whose career focused largely on period pieces. He performs in several Daiei and Toho films from the 1970s, but his career on TV dates back to the mid-1960s. Among his motion picture credits are: Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman (1971), Woman Gambler's Iron Rule (1971), Zatoichi in Desperation (1972), and Slaughter in the Snow (1973). On television, Mori-san appears on episode 3 of Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81), and episode 3 of the third season of the Shin Zatoichi TV series (1979), as well as other roles too numerous to name.

On April 15, I attended a lecture given by Mori-san on Edo culture. It's always fascinating to hear these lectures, but I wish I could understand so much more.

After the lecture, the above photo was taken. Suffice it to say, I had a lot of fun, and I need to brush up on my Edo knowledge!

SHOJI MORI SPEAKS! Meeting the Daiei Studios Actor Again!

On Saturday, August 20, I had another opporunity to attend a talk hosted by actor Shoji Mori. Mori-san has acted in the celebrated Zatoichi series, Daiei's Woman Gambler series, and episodes of the long-running Mito Komon TV series.

Mori-san gave a lively talk and was a lot of fun to talk to. I'm looking forward to attending the next talk.

MEETING SHOJI MORI! A Veteran of Japanese Film and Television!

On Saturday, June 25, I spent an evening attending a lecture given by actor Shoji Mori. He has been active in film and television for decades, and he has appeared in the Zatoichi series, the Woman Gambler series (starring Gamera vs. Barugon's Kyoko Enami), and many episodes of the Mito Komon TV series.

Mori-san was a lively gentleman, and it was great to meet him. Afterward, I went to an izakaya with some new friends I made after the talk. A great time was had by all!