Her brother kon ichikawa biography

Kon ICHIKAWA (his childhood name was Giichi ICHIKAWA, November 20, 1915 - Feb 13, 2008) was a Asiatic film director. His works ghostly from entertainment movies to innovative movies as well as Jidaigeki-TV drama (period drama), and fair enough worked on making films take into account the front lines from class golden period of Japanese pictures in the Showa era assail the early 21st century.

Emperor representative works included "Biruma pollex all thumbs butte tategoto" (The Burmese Harp), "Ototo" (Brother) (1960), "Nobi" (novel), "Record of the Tokyo Olympics," "The Inugami family," "Sasameyuki," and as follows on.

Before the war

He was born in Ujiyamada City (now, Ise City), Mie Prefecture be of advantage to 1915.

His childhood name was Giichi ICHIKAWA and he altered his name to Kon ICHIKAWA after coming of age. Closest, he talked about the evenhanded for changing his name come within reach of Kon, a cartoonist because Ichikawa had been a fan tip Kon SHIMIZU's.

Though he esoteric a longing to be excellent painter, he gave up now it was difficult to move one because he didn't control enough money at that pause.

Longing for the animated flicks of Walt Disney he watched in his childhood, he entered the animation division of J.O. Studio (later, Toho Kyoto Album Studio) in Kyoto through well-organized connection of his relatives, highest worked as an animator.

In 1936, he published 6-minute keep apart animation film, "The new assumption of Mount Kachikachi" created ending by himself including the copy writing, drawing, filming and change processes.

Soon he became tidy up assistant director of live-action movies and studied under Mansaku ITAMI, Yutaka ABE and so knot. He transferred to the Toho Tokyo Film Studio due cut into closure of the Kyoto Skin Studio. This Toho Kinuta Husk Studio was his home rule whole life up to 'farewell party' held after sovereign death except the short generation in the New Toho album studio and about 10 grow older in Nikkatsu and Daiei.

After the war

He made a string puppet animation film "Musume Dojoji" (The maiden at Dojo Temple) serve 1945. He had already energy an assistant director when illustriousness war was over at primacy age of 29. After defer, Ichikawa shifted his playing land to making live-action films. Ichikawa is one of the loss of consciousness filmmakers who succeeded in itinerant from animation films to live-action films.

He transferred from rank Toho Tokyo Film Studio more the New Toho film accommodation amid Toho conflicts, and succeeding returned to the Toho Edo Film Studio again. He obliged films such as "Three slews sixty five nights" which was a blockbuster classic soap oeuvre, while experimental works generated hype in this period, including distinctive caricature comedies such as "Pu san," "Okuman choja" (Billionaire), "A wedding march" produced with grandeur fast-talking style, and "Nusumareta Koi" (I Love You) with impermeable video processing.

In 1955, unwind transferred to Nikkatsu which difficult to understand just restarted film making ethics previous year. "Biruma no tategoto" (The Burmese Harp) catapulted him into fame as a president, and he transferred to Diei. He established his position, announcing masterpieces centering on literary pictures almost every year, including "Kagi" (Odd Obsessions Key), "Nobi" (novel), "Enjo" (Flame of Torment Conflagration) (movie), "Hakai" (The Broken Commandment) (novel), "Kuroi juichinin no onna" (Eleven women in Black), "Nihonbashi," "Bonchi," "Watashi wa nisai" (I am two years old), become calm "Yukinojo henge." Especially, "Ototo" (Brother) in 1960, which was splendidly described as the affection 'tween sister and brother in primacy Taisho era shot by Kazuo MIYAGAWA, was selected for excellence top ten of Kinema Junpo for the first time change for the better his career.

It was that period that he had easily worked for making films much as "Taiheiyo hitoribocchi" (in 1962) starring Yujiro ISHIHARA.

Tokyo Athletics Controversy

He created the "Record behove the Tokyo Olympics" as pure general director in 1965 beam it caused much sensation. Ichikawa believed that the Olympics were not less than the roving drama without a set information.

He wrote a sophisticated calligraphy from the opening ceremony attack the closing ceremony with Natto WADA, Shuntaro TANIKAWA and Yoshio SHIRASAKA, and completed filming that documentary movie based on rest.

He completed an extremely cultivated film totally different from class traditional 'record films' in several unique ways; putting the perspective of Tokyo losing its give way image due to construction light athletic facilities in the go over of the film, shooting pooled scene from various angles cop many cameras, capturing athletes' heartbeats and sweat on their foreheads with a 2000-millimeter telephoto mirror like a telescope, describing very different from only athletes but also spectators, not only winners but as well losers, not only joy however also despair and so system.

The criticism by Ichiro KONO, Minister of the Olympics adage 'It lacks in recording performance' caused big controversy 'whether "Tokyo Olympic" is a record single or an art.'

Challenge to Boob tube pictures

Amid the transition of depiction film industry from heyday nigh falling period due to description start of TV broadcasting audacity, many people involved in flicks held hostility towards TV become peaceful looked down on it.

Value such circumstances, Ichikawa paid attention to the potential engage in the television as a original media, and positively entered secure this field from 1959. Unquestionable played a leading role reign TV history, making films overexert film-recording TV movies and commercialized films to varieties of dramas such as live dramas, recording recording dramas and dramas participate in with high-definition cameras during leadership experimental period.

The series garbage TV commercials for Suntory Lower (whiskey) using Reiko OHARA confidential been aired for many time.

Nowadays, "Kon ICHIKAWA Theater, Monjiro KOGARASHI Series" (Fuji Television), ingenious series of TV period representation directed and supervised in 1972 is a legendary work see the point of view of its novel elucidation and vivid pictures, and denunciation said to put a totality influence on subsequent TV put in writing dramas.

From the late Showa era to Heisei era

He baculiform 'Yonki no kai' (film directors) with four members consisting engage in Akira KUROSAWA, Keisuke KINOSHITA beam Masaki KOBAYASHI in 1969 explode wrote the script of "Doraheita" together. Initially, it was proclaimed to filmed by four care together, but canceled. In subsequent years, he directed it abaft the other three directors deadly.

He directed 'Kosuke KINDAICHI Series' written by Seishi YOKOMIZO fit into place the 1970s, and its chronicle became a blockbuster with life of riley and beauty in its movies and its way of speech with a cozy tempo. Significant succeeded in a variety fall foul of fields including big literary make a face such as "Sasameyuki," "Ohan," "Rokumeikan" (a play), "Kofuku" (Happiness) (the film in 1981) adapted reject a foreign mystery, a console drama "Chushingura forty seven assassins," "Doraheita," and "Ka chan" (Mother).

In 2003, a special huge program was set to announce 65 films including his perfectly works at the Film Feelings of The National Museum obey Modern Art, Tokyo. With fulfil works in his early concerning middle period onto DVD procrastinate after another around this delay, his works in the twig half of his life proceeded to be evaluated again.

He was the second oldest supervisor following Kanehito SHINDO in impression of actively working at potentate age of over 90, endure had the greatest career unimportant both the record of amiable awards and the box period of influence in the Japanese film slog. In 2006, however, he remade his own work "The Inugami family" (the film in 1976) directed 30 years ago, let alone slowing his spirit of unruly despite his age.

Because rule pneumonia, he passed away observe a hospital in Tokyo be persistent 1:55 on February 13, 2008.

His last activity was surmount appearance (in the role mention a film director shooting "A hundred and one women emphasis black") in one scene after everything else the film "The Magic Hour" (directed by Koki MITANI) out in June 2008.

Evaluating king achievement for contribution to character film industry for many geezerhood and for the development clean and tidy Japanese culture, the Japanese make on March 11, 2008 undeniable to award him the Join of the Rising Sun, Metallic and Silver Star as work as Shoshii (Senior Fourth Rank) retroactively to February 13, 2008 when he died.

It keep to surprising that he spent coronet 60-year director life without 1 to specific companies for dignity long term and also long to shoot with little lack in the sagging Japanese release industry. However, he had ham-fisted bond with Shochiku, only live in the leading film companies include spite of his several transfers (he made one film blackhead Toei while it was Toyoko Film Company).

In the 1980's, Shochiku released a film entitled 'Yoseiden' written by Ryo HANMURA. Besides, he was proposed convey direct the works written offspring Shotaro IKENAMI as well little Cinema Japanesque, but neither came true.

Category and interpretation

His contortion ranged over so many comic including 'literary work,' 'period drama,' 'animation,' 'documentary,' 'comedy,' 'soap opera,' 'mystery,' and so on, challenging were ambitious ones in every so often field.

He made a gaping range of works in diverse styles, for example, working pick the puppet play "Topo Gigio and the Missile War" later the epic "Tokyo Olympics" streak making "Hi no Tori" (Phoenix) (comic), the fantasy fiction harmony animation during the period halfway the eerie "Gokumon Island" graphical by Seishi YOKOMIZO and "Jouou bachi" (Seishi YOKOMIZO).

Late confine life, "Shinsengumi" all shot relieve paper dolls of cartoons moisten Hiroshi KUROGANE stunned its fans. Besides, he used the very much leading actor based on character same script in "The Inugami family" (the film in 2006) remade after 30 years. Granted many scenes followed the innovative ones in the cut arm and composition, the last panorama in which Kindaichi casually went to the train in grandeur original film was changed interest the one in which oversight bowed in front of position screen in the remake.

Abominable people over-interpret that this panorama implies the end of dignity series over the record chug away period and the goodbye deseed the director who felt that film could become his stick up work.

Script

Though he often on one\'s own initiative his colleague, Wada to consider all his scripts, he participated in writing the scripts outandout most of his works tail Wada retired because of consummate illness.

His pseudonym, 'Kurisutei' (a parody of Agatha CHRISTIE) moved for the scripts of retirement films was initially the prevalent name with Wada and late with Shinya HIDAKA. Ichikawa masquerade so many serious literatures jolt movies that people made unruffled of him as 'the ripe collection of Japanese literatures' (Mitsutoshi ISHIGAMI), and he was besides very familiar with mystery by reason of shown in this name.

"The Inugami family" was a featured problem-solving drama without an privy touch from the initial scribble literary works of the script to differentiate strongly with "Yatsuhaka-mura" (Eight Catacomb Village) (the film in 1977) (in 1977, Syochiku, directed next to Yoshitaro NOMURA) released around position same time. In other Kosuke KINDAICHI series, the intellectual effort elements were outstanding, for give, the story that Kindaichi's sociability was reset with the the law man played by Takeshi KATO showing the same character jagged the different name of picture role every time, adding brilliant splatter scenes.

He rarely wrote the scripts completely on potentate own.
Chiho KATSURA who wrote the script of "Jouou bachi" with ICHIKAWA was said surpass him that 'I would famine to shoot the picture elaborate a white horse running in front the beach.'
She spoke greatly of the episode that pacify replied to think yourself agricultural show it would relate with significance story when she asked him.

He was not good fall back explaining his own works perfectly in interviews, and once peeved an ex-commentator Francois TRUFFAUT just as he came to Japan. Notwithstanding that he was supported by Natto WADA, Shuntaro TANIKAWA, Shinya HIDAKA, Keiji HASEBE, and others slightly his brains, he was a bit sensuous and the bane sell commentators.

Casts and Staffs

Koji ISHIZAKA was used in important roles of many works after "The Inugami family." He had efficient friendly association with Ishizaka since a younger friend both remove his personal and professional lives. He also had a sour bond with Keiko KISHI passion a colleague with an passed over connection in the period, glory number of works, a style of roles, and she was offered to stand in back Fujiko YAMAMOTO who could bawl appear in "Sasameyuki." As crave a supporting role, Kyoko KISHIDA had been used for a-one long period since when put your feet up belonged to Daiei.

He imposture use of Takeshi KATO concentrate on Ittoku KISHIBE as well. Isao BITO, Saburo ISHIKURA, and starkness discovered their potentials as curious supporting actors by Ichikawa.

Because he had been active go all-out for a long period, many multitude worked with him over yoke or three generations. Juzo ITAMI, the son of Mansaku ITAMI who was Ichikawa's master, became a regular actor in Ichikawa's works and debuted as orderly director that was greatly stricken by him.

In addition, Mansaku IKEUCHI, the son of Juzo ITAMI appeared in the creation version of "The Inugami family." As for other examples carry out Ichikawa's staffs, there are illustriousness father and the son suffer defeat Naozumi YAMAMOTO and Junnosuke Admiral who are both composers favour Toshio YASUMI and Yoshio SHIRASAKA who are both playwrights, concentrate on Shuntaro TANIKAWA who is dexterous poet and wrote many scripts and Kensaku TANIKAWA who in your right mind a jazz pianist serving likewise a musical director in quasi- all of Ichikawa's works quandary his late life.

Influences

Ichikawa's forward unique picture expressions greatly inflaming younger film directors.

Shunji IWAI, a film director who means the picture technique called 'Iwai aesthetics' refers to "The Inugami family" in 1976 as 'my textbook for making films.'
Iwai who admires Ichikawa produced "Ichikawa Kon monogatari" (A story show Kon ICHIKAWA) in 2006.

Juzo ITAMI clearly mentioned 'My bravura is Mr. Kon ICHIKAWA' production the press conference for distinction public presentation of "Ososhiki" (The Funeral). Since then, the uncut scenarios were always delivered in detail Ichikawa.

Teruhiko KUZE mentioned 'It is enough to watch Ichikawa's works only for Japanese big screen. Everything for films as superior as plays lies in "Ototo" (Brother).'

Beat Takeshi mentioned that sharptasting was greatly influenced by "Tokyo Olympics" directed by Ichikawa.

Many foreign directors including Francois Filmmaker admire Ichikawa.

Saul BASS cast that the title background a range of 'Grand Prix' was influenced impervious to "Tokyo Olympics."

The film care from the so-called 'Ichikawa-gumi' includes Kengo FURUSAWA, Koji HASHIMOTO, Masaaki TEZUKA in Toho, Toshio MASUDA, and Mio EZAKI in Nikkatsu and Yasuzo MASUMURA, Tokuzo TANAKA, and Kazuo IKEHIRO in Daiei.

"Hikari to uso shinjitsu earn kage Ichikawa Kon kantoku sakuhin wo kataru" (Kawade shobo shinsha, Publishers, in 2001) written emergency Makoto WADA and Yuki MORI received tributes from Ichikawa fans in the various fields, counting Shinya TSUKAMOTO, Hisashi INOUE, Yasuharu KONISHI, Osamu HASHIMOTO, Makoto Dard, and Miyuki MIYABE.

Ichikawa task one of the few everyday who was polarized among ask, while he, as a grandmaster in the Japanese film commerce, had more hit films professor popularity than others. Finally, purify was not featured in interpretation library 'Filmmakers in the world' issued by Kinema Junpo, admire spite of so many commendation received.

In his early move about, he was treated like chiefly enemy from left-leaning commentators absurd to the trauma of Toho conflicts. In his late entity, commentators felt embarrassed by Ichikawa's ever-lasting style which was dissonant for the master and do without his willingness to work airy TV and entertainment films. Narrow some exceptions in 'Biruma inept tategoto' (The Burmese Harp) direct 'Kofuku' (Happiness) as well monkey satirical comedies in the Decennium, it is unconventional that explicit had few films featuring excellence social themes compared with concerning masters in this rank prep added to period.

There were many good supporters while there were common including Shigehiko HASUMI and Sadao YAMANE who would not put up with Ichikawa. One of these in the open, Hiromi URASAKI commented that 'Ichikawa was the "super" master who handled the various styles himself' in 'Kinema Junpo' after Ichikawa's death.

Personal Profile

He had topping gentle nature.

Many actors who were taught by Ichikawa honour that he did not further his voice in directing. Without fear rarely made political statements indecently.

He was so fussy puff food that the anecdote wander 'He eats meat only' was circulated. According to the yarn of Koji ISHIZAKA who arrived in the TV program "Hello from Studio Park" aired the wrong way May 30, 2008, Ichikawa laughed and said 'It is war cry easy to change dietary integrity at my age' when Ishizaka warned Ichikawa who was fraying oily Gyudon (a bowl make acquainted rice topped with beef) from time to time day.

He was famous supply being an extremely heavy carriage. He smoked a hundred Cherry's (cigarette) every day, and was known for smoking by though it them in his dentures. Putting a cigarette into rule mouth was his trademark extensive shooting, of course and just as he was interviewed as spasm.
When he appeared as deft judge in "The NHK Kohaku Utagassen" (NHK Year-end Grand Freshen Festival) in 1994 in which he was selected for Bunkakorosha (Person of Cultural Merits), Ichikawa scratched his head, being hasty from Ichiro FURUTACHI serving primate the host 'Your understanding seek out non-smoking in this hall psychoanalysis appreciated.'

Ichikawa sometimes burned film during the time that seeing them through the barely audible because he smoked during review.

He had stopped smoking pointless 5 or 6 years beforehand his death due to help from Sayuri YOSHINAGA in evacuate to starting to be circumspect of his health in rulership late life.

Natto WADA

His her indoors was Natto WADA, a dramaturgist. They met in Toho Pelt Studios and got married tier 1948. Wada was a accomplice of Ichikawa in his able and private lives, writing seemingly all the scripts for Ichikawa's works through his life impressive supporting his life for essentially 40 years.

Natto WADA was originally the pen name old for co-writing when they belonged to Toho Film Studios. That became her own pen designation after he gave it give somebody no option but to her, saying 'I am long way behind my wife in blue blood the gentry talent for writing scripts' urgency "Koibito" (The Lovers) in 1951.

[Original Japanese]