The Night Sings in Tokyo!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight (Tuesday, March 19), I attended another chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida. I always enjoy his performances, and I've become rather familiar with some of his songs, none of which I'd known about before.

One amusing moment happened when one of Uchida-san's fans, whom I really got to know last month when we had a pretty long conversation, suddenly asked me if I was the boyfriend of one of our acquaintances. This question came out of nowhere and was totally unexpected. I laughed and said of course not. I have no idea where she got that idea.

After the show, Uchida-san came up to me and asked me when my date of departure was, which I told him. When I was about to leave, I asked Uchida-san to autograph a Gamera postcard, as well as to pose for some obligatory photos, which he graciously did. He asked me about what my living situation will be like overseas and wished me good luck on my travels. He also remembered that we first met just two years ago -- a lot has happened since then!

I will certainly miss seeing Uchida-san's performances, but I'm grateful for the memories. The photos certainly help keep them alive.

Enjoying Chanson on a Warm February Evening!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night (Tuesday, February 20), I attended another chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida. Due to a quirk in my work schedule, I was able to arrive at the venue just before the show was about to start, as opposed to arriving after it had already commenced. In fact, Uchida-san himself was surprised to see me to arrive so early.

Uchida-san's kind gift to me. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Speaking of surprises, Uchida-san gave me a box of Godiva chocolates, which you can see in the photo above. Naturally, I wasn't expecting to receive any kind of gift, but it was a wonderful gesture on the part of Uchida-san.

After the first set was finished, Uchida-san saw that I had finished my drink and offered to get me another one. When he confirmed with me that I was drinking ginger ale, he brought me back another one. What a cool guy!

After the show, I had a brief chat with Uchida-san. When I first arrived, he was talking to another patron about wanting to learn English in his younger days. So I asked him about that, to which he replied that he was interested in singing songs by Andy Williams and the Carpenters at that time, but it was too difficult to do. It's really a shame, as I'd love to hear Uchida-san sing some of those songs.

And that's a wrap! 

Chanson Warms Up a Cold January Evening!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night (Tuesday, January 16), I attended another chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida. As usual, I arrived a bit late due to work, but I managed to catch most of the performance. The evening was cold and windy, but the performance made it all worthwhile.

Yoshiro Uchida sings. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It was another fun evening. After the performance, Uchida-san and I had a brief chat about my plans for the end of March. Those plans will certainly keep me busy for the next few weeks. Uchida-san's kind words very very encouraging.

And that's a wrap! It's always great to see Uchida-san, and I look forward to doing it again next month.

Ending the Year on the Right Note!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Tuesday, December 26), I attended the last chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida to be held this year. As always, I arrived late due to my work schedule (gotta make a living, after all), but I was able to catch more than half the show.

In between sets, after seeing that I had finished my drink, Uchida-san offered to get me another one. He asked what I wanted, so I said ginger ale. Uchida-san was a bit surprised by my response (since it wasn't an alcoholic beverage) and asked, "Plain?" I told him yes. Afterward, he joked to a couple of Japanese ladies sitting near me about his English ability.

Speaking of those young ladies, it was their first time at the venue, and we struck up a conversation. One of the women told me about her trip to New York City a couple of years after 9/11. The other lady told me about her trip through Europe around the same time. We made a bit of small talk, and it was interesting getting to know them.

One of Uchida-san's fans gave him flowers for his recent birthday. After the show, I asked him when his birthday was, to which he replied it was December 14. So I wished him a belated happy birthday, as well as a happy New Year. (It was a milestone birthday, too, as Uchida-san turned 70.)

The evening's other singer snapped the above photos of Uchida-san and me together. He asked what my name was, and, when I told him, he commented that it was difficult to pronounce. (He's not the first Japanese to say so!) 

And that's a wrap! I've had a lot of fun seeing Uchida-san perform chanson throughout the year, and I look forward to seeing more of his shows next year.

A Chance Evening of Chanson!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night (Tuesday, November 21), I went to another chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida. Even though I arrived late due to my work schedule (as usual), I still caught a good chunk of the performance, so I'm happy to report that I got my money's worth.

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last month, I asked Uchida-san to sign the above release of Gammera the Invincible (1966), but I didn't think it ask him to pose with it for a photo. Talk about a missed opportunity! So I brought the DVD back with me just for the photo opportunity.

Afterward, Uchida-san was intrigued by the DVD, even reading some of the names listed on the cover (such as those of his Japanese co-stars). He expressed interest in seeing this version, so I told him that I'd send him the YouTube link when I return home, which I did. Generally, though, he was curious about Gamera's level of fame in the U.S.

And that's a wrap! It's always fun to attend these shows, and Uchida-san is a great singer!

Another Fun Evening of Chanson Songs!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Monday, October 30, I was fortunate enough to catch another performance by Yoshiro Uchida, who sang some chanson songs. I've seen several of his performances, and I enjoy his quiet style.

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The highlight for me was, when I brought out a couple of American Gamera DVDs for him to sign, he started singing the Gamera song. Now that's something I wish he'd sing in its entirety during his next performance!

And that's a wrap! I'm already looking forward to seeing Uchida-san again in concert.

An Evening of Singing and Merriment!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night (Tuesday, September 19), I attended another chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida. It was another enjoyable night of music.

One notable thing was that, after Uchida-san finished his performance, he noticed that I had finished my ginger ale, so he offered to get me another drink. I told him I was fine and not to worry about it, but he got me another drink, anyway. Uchida-san is definitely a cool guy!

Before we took our obligatory photos, Uchida-san updated me about some of his recent goings-on. It was another great evening, and I look forward to the next one!

Another Evening of Chanson, Tokyo-Style!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I just got back from another chanson performance by former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, and as expected it was wonderfully performed. Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday evening after work!

After the show, Uchida-san and I had a brief chat, particularly a storm from a few weeks ago that looked like it would flood Meguro River. After that, we had our obligatory photo session. It was a lot of fun -- let's do it again soon!

A Return to Tokyo Chanson!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier tonight (Tuesday, April 18), I attended a live chanson performance by Yoshiro Uchida. Well, I attended as much of it as I could. Due to my work schedule, I arrived as it was wrapping up. Uchida-san was performing his final song when I entered the venue!

 

I especially wanted to attend this performance given that Uchida-san took a break from performing, and I hadn't seen him since last summer -- quite a long time! I also brought something for him to sign, which was the DVD sleeve for my copy of the Mill Creek 100 sci-fi movie pack that features Gammera the Invincible (1966). 

It was great to see Uchida-san again, even though I wasn't there all that long. He's a terrific guy to hang out with, and I certainly look forward to seeing him again soon, which I hope to do when he has his next performance in June.

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!

A Night of Chanson in Ginza!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday, June 18, I attended another special chanson performance by actor-singer Yoshiro Uchida in Ginza. As usual, it was a lot of fun.

This performance was particularly special because it was attended by Uchida-san's daughter, whom I met briefly. It's always great to see Uchida-san!

Another Enchanting Night of Chanson!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On the evening of June 9, I attended another chanson performance by former child actor Yoshiro Uchida. As always, it was a fun time, and I got to know some new people (including a young lady who primarily spoke French) who were in the audience this time.

Uchida-san, of course, was a lot of fun to visit. We had a nice chat after the show. Can't wait to do it again!

Another Evening of Chanson!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On May 17, I attended another chanson performance by former child actor Yoshiro Uchida. When Uchida-san informed me of the event, I thought I'd have to miss it due to my work schedule. But thankfully I was able to catch the last 30 minutes or so. It was well worth attending!

After the show, I had a nice chat with Uchida-san, who kept me up to speed. I found the info he had to share quite interesting!

The audience was a bit smaller than last time, but I thought that improved the atmosphere. I always enjoy meeting Uchida-san, who is a super-friendly guy!

An Evening of Chanson in Shinjuku!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night, I attended a chanson performance in Shinjuku with former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, as well as two female singers. I first met Uchida-san less than a month ago, so I was surprised that I'd get another chance to see him so quickly.

The whole show lasted about two and a half hours, but it flew by. I spoke with an older Japanese lady there who lived in several U.S. cities back in the 1970s. It was great to make her acquaintance, too!

After the show, we took some obligatory photos. Overall, I had a lot of fun, and I think Uchida-san was a bit surprised to hear that I did. But it was a great time. I hope to get another chance in the future!

Meeting a Gamera Series Legend!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On March 30, I had the distinct privilege of meeting former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, who is best known for playing Toshio in the Daiei classic Gammera the Invincible (1966). Of course, the original Japanese version was released domestically in 1965. 

One topic of conversation was traditional tokusatsu techniques. Uchida-san mentioned that he felt the hand-made special effects in The Poseidon Adventure (1972) were preferable to the CGI used in Titanic (1997). I asked if he'd ever seen Gandhi (1982), whose amazing crowd scenes would probably be done by computer graphics today. He said he hadn't, but I strongly recommended the film.

I had a wonderful time meeting Uchida-san. Hopefully, it won't be the last!