Actress Sachiko Kozuki Passes Away at Age 87

Sachiko Kozuki in 2017. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

The Japanese media is reporting that actress and Takarazuka Revue icon Sachiko Kozuki passed away on January 24 of heart failure. She was 87.

Kozuki-san was a regular on the Toho tokusatsu TV program Zone Fighter (1973) as Mrs. Sakimori, the mother of the show's three main heroes. Her other SFX credits include appearances on Mirrorman (1971-72), Ultraman Taro (1973-74), Ultraman Leo (1974-75), and Kamen Rider W (2009-10).

Sachiko Kozuki shares memories with screenwriter Fumio Ishimori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

In April 2017, I attended a special event in which Kozuki-san reminisced about Zone Fighter with one of the series' writers, Fumio Ishimori (pictured above). 

Rest in peace, Kozuki-san.

Another Day at Ulf's

Ulf Otsuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I visited actor Ulf Otsuki at his home and enjoyed another afternoon and evening in his company. Since he's a big fan of Westerns, he wanted to show me the John Ford classic Stagecoach (1939), which I'd actually never seen before. Westerns typically aren't my bag, but I felt Stagecoach lived up to its reputation.

After the movie, it was dinnertime! We went to our regular haunt, which we've been visiting for the last three years. (Has it been that long?) All in all, it was a great day!

Kazuki Kitamura: Kirin Wars!

"Actually, I kind of like this beer!" Photo by Brett Homenick.

If you ever wondered if actor Kazuki Kitamura ever did anything else than chew out tuna-eating monsters for failing him in his quest to conquer the world, here's the answer you're looking for. Kitamura is currently starring in an ad campaign for Kirin Nodogoshi Strong.

The Godzilla: Final Wars star also appears in a TV commercial for the beer, which you can view here.

Seen Around the Neighborhood

While out and about today in the neighborhood, I stumbled upon this. I don't think I've ever seen this before, but I might be dropping a few coins here in the near future!

Will the Real 'Greatest Showman' Please Stand Up?

This was the scene today at the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. Hugh Jackman might think he's the "Greatest Showman," but I think the real deal is standing right above him.

An Evening with Teruyoshi Nakano

 Teruyoshi Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight was spent in the company of former Godzilla series SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano, whose career at Toho spanned several decades.

I don't think there are many movie biz folks in Japan I've been around more than Nakano-san, but it never gets dull. He's always got a story to tell!

GAPPA: Still Angry After All These Years!

Masanori Machida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

This afternoon, I attended another live reading by actor Masanori Machida, best known as the young boy from Nikkatsu's sole monster movie, Gappa the Triphibian Monster (1967).  

I had just seen Machida-san last month, but the timing worked out extremely well, so I decided to stop by again. It's always great to visit Machida-san. Not only is he such a friendly guy, but Gappa remains a favorite of mine.