Honoring the Life and Career of Screenwriter Yukiko Takayama

Yukiko Takayama's funeral at Koyasan Tokyo Betsuin. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This morning (Monday, June 12), I attended the funeral for screenwriter Yukiko Takayama, who penned the classic Toho tokusatsu production Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). The funeral started at 11:00 a.m. at the Buddhist temple Koyasan Tokyo Betsuin in Minato Ward. The service lasted about an hour. 

When I arrived, I signed in at the reception area and then made my way over to the hall where the funeral would take place. Outside the room were numerous posters, books, photos, and home video releases of Ms. Takayama's works. (Photos of which you can see below.)

The Intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni's opera Cavalleria Rusticana (which was used as the theme to Martin Scorsese's 1980 film Raging Bull) was playing on speakers there, as well.

During the ceremony, the priest-in-residence said that Ms. Takayama passed away at age 83, which confirms the information in the recent news reports about her passing.

As expected, I was more than a little rusty on Japanese funeral customs, so I watched what the other mourners would do and emulated them to the best of my ability. This came in handy particularly during the incense-offering part of the ceremony, which went off without a hitch after I observed what the other mourners were doing. 

The toughest part of the funeral for me was laying flowers in the casket. The staff at the temple encouraged mourners to lay flowers multiple times until all the flowers were put in the casket, and I did so three different times. It was a very moving experience, and one I won't ever forget. 

Afterward, the casket was taken to the hearse, and Ms. Takayama's family left, too. I have to admit that this was the most emotional funeral or memorial celebration I've attended in Japan. 

For the record, and for whatever it's worth, I didn't see anyone associated with Terror of Mechagodzilla (or tokusatsu, for that matter) at the ceremony. I wasn't expecting anyone like that to show up, anyway, but I'm sure some people would be wondering about that, which is why I'm mentioning it here.

Terror of Mechagodzilla has always been one of my favorite Godzilla movies, and I wanted to make sure to honor the life and career of the person who wrote it. There was never a doubt in my mind about whether I should attend Yukiko Takayama's funeral. 

Rest in peace, Takayama-san.

'Terror of Mechagodzilla' Screenwriter Yukiko Takayama Passes Away at Age 83

Yukiko Takayama in January 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) screenwriter Yukiko Takayama passed away of natural causes in her Tokyo home on June 2 at 11:16 a.m. She was 83 years old. Her funeral will be held on June 12 in Minato Ward, for which the chief mourner has been announced as Naoki, her oldest son.

Back in 2009, I was privileged to be able to submit a few questions about Terror of Mechagodzilla to Ms. Takayama, who graciously answered them. That brief interview can be read here.  

In 2016, I finally met Takayama-san at two different events. One was with Terror of Mechagodzilla chief assistant director Kensho Yamashita, and the other was with Mineko Okamoto, the widow of legendary director Kihachi Okamoto.

Below are photos I took at both events. RIP, Takayama-san.

Yukiko Takayama with Kensho Yamashita in January 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yukiko Takayama in April 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yukiko Takayama with Mineko Okamoto. Photo by Brett Homenick.

TOHO ALUMS IN YOKOHAMA! Two Female Filmmakers Meet to Talk Movies!

Producer Mineko Okamoto (left) and writer-director Yukiko Takayama (right) discuss their work on the drama Musume Dojoji (2004). Photo by Brett Homenick.

A screening of the kabuki story Musume Dojoji (2004) was held today in Yokohama, and in attendance were writer-director Yukiko Takayama and producer Mineko Okamoto. On the way to the event, typhoon-force winds shut down the Tokyu Toyoko Line, and that meant having to take a detour to my destination. All told, I was about 45 minutes late. Still, I had a great time.

Writer-director Yukiko Takayama answers questions about her film career. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yukiko Takayama was the screenwriter for Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), one of my favorite entries in the Godzilla series. Mineko Okamoto is the widow of director Kihachi Okamoto, one of Japan's best filmmakers. Kihachi Okamoto helmed such classics as: Desperado Outpost (1959), The Sword of Doom (1966), Kill! (1968), Battle of Okinawa (1971), and Blue Christmas (1978). Kihachi Okamoto is one of my favorite directors, so the chance to meet his wife was truly a gratifying moment.

Producer Mineko Okamoto discusses the making of Musume Dojoji. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Takayama-san was surprised to see me again, largely because Musume Dojoji is about as far as you could get from Godzilla! During dinner, she mentioned that she's a big fan of Nicolas Cage, and that she particularly enjoyed his Oscar-winning performance in Leaving Las Vegas (1995). When I asked if she'd ever seen The Rock (1996), she said she had and that she liked it! Regarding kaiju movies, she cited Mothra (1961), the Daimajin series, and the Heisei Gamera series as being among her favorites.

Yours truly between Yukiko Takayama and Mineko Okamoto.

I spent most of the evening with Takayama-san, but I did get to speak with Okamoto-san. I conveyed my admiration for her husband's work, and when I told her that one of my favorites is Blue Christmas, she mentioned that she likes that film as well, largely because it's a love story.

Overall, it was a fun evening, with many great conversations. I only wish the day had gotten off to a better start. Despite the delays in travel, I had a great time.

MORE PICS FROM THE EVENT! Yukiko Takayama and Kensho Yamashita in Action!

Terror of Mechagodzilla's Yukiko Takayama and Kensho Yamashita reminisce about their famous film.

Yukiko Takayama gesticulates in order to make a point.

Kensho Yamashita recalls Terror of Mechagodzilla.

Yukiko Takayama signs autographs.

With the two celebrity guests at the event.

With Yukiko Takayama.

With Kensho Yamashita.

Yukiko Takayama and Kensho Yamashita pose for pictures.

Takayama-san and Yamashita-san check the photos taken on Yamashita-san's camera.

MECHAGODZILLA'S TERROR REVISITED! Two TOMG Alums Meet and Greet Their Fans!

Terror of Mechagodzilla screenwriter Yukiko Takayama (left) and assistant director Kensho Yamashita (right) discuss the making of their kaiju classic following a screening in Yokohama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

January 24 saw a great event take place in Yokohama. The film of the day was Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), a bona fide classic in the Godzilla series. The event opened with a screening of a 35mm  print of the film and was followed by a Q&A session with a couple of very special guests.

Screenwriter Yukiko Takayama remembers writing the story of Terror of Mechagodzilla. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The two special guests were TOMG screenwriter Yukiko Takayama and assistant director Kensho Yamashita. Yamashita-san went on to direct his own Godzilla movie, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994).

Assistant director Kensho Yamashita answers questions about his career. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The interview session proved to be very interesting. Of particular note, the building used as the Mafune family home was actually an old hospital (!) in Setagaya Ward that was eventually torn down. I was hoping to visit that location someday, but unfortunately it's long gone. At least we know what it was.

Also, when talking about the "racy" scene with Katsura on the operating table, Yamashita-san pointed out that it was actually dropped from the U.S. version. Then Yamashita-san looked at me and said in English, "For the children!" I laughed and gave him a thumbs-up.

Yours truly with Yukiko Takayama, a first-time meeting that hopefully won't be the last!

Although I've met several Terror of Mechagodzilla alumni over the years, I'd never met Yukiko Takayama. Naturally, I was very excited to meet her. At first, she seemed a bit shy, but during dinner, she easily warmed up and became very talkative.

I was very privileged to sit next to Yukiko Takayama during our nabe dinner.  

During dinner, Takayama-san talked about her interest in sci-fi films and cited Blade Runner (1982) as one of her favorites. I was glad to tell Takayama-san about how TOMG was actually a pretty scary movie to watch as a young child (the dark atmosphere was a bit much for me at that age), even though it's now one of my favorites.

Yours truly with Kensho Yamashita, who is always in motion, even when posing for photos!

There were many familiar faces at the event, and I enjoyed catching up with them. I was very happy to spend so much time with Takayama-san, who proved to be a warm and friendly special guest. She seemed as interested in her fans as we were in her. Kensho Yamashita is always a blast to hang out with, and he brought his own camera and took pictures of his own!

More photos from tonight's shindig to come!