was a Japanese actor. Known in the

West West is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sun sets on the Earth. Etymology The word "west" is a Germanic word passed into some Romance langu ...

primarily for supporting roles in such films as

Akira Kurosawa was a Japanese filmmaker who List of works by Akira Kurosawa, directed 30 feature films in a career spanning six decades. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in the History of film, history of cinema ...

's ''

The Bad Sleep Well is a 1960 Japanese neo-noir crime mystery film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It was the first film to be produced under Kurosawa's own independent production company. It was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival. The film stars ...

'' and ''

Yojimbo is a 1961 Japanese samurai film directed by Akira Kurosawa, who also co-wrote the screenplay and was one of the producers. The film stars Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yoko Tsukasa, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Katō, Takashi Shimura, Kamat ...

'',

Kihachi Okamoto was a Cinema of Japan, Japanese film director who worked in several different film genre, genres. Career Born in Yonago, Tottori, Yonago, Okamoto attended Meiji University, but was drafted into the Air Force 1943 and entered World War II, an exp ...

's '' Sword of Doom'', Yoshitaro Nomura's ''

Zero Focus is a 1961 Japanese crime drama film directed by Yoshitarō Nomura, and co-written by Shinobu Hashimoto and Yoji Yamada. It is based on the novel of the same name by Seichō Matsumoto. A remake of the film was released in 2009. Plot One wee ...

'', and

Kon Ichikawa was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. His work displays a vast range in genre and style, from the anti-war films '' The Burmese Harp'' (1956) and '' Fires on the Plain'' (1959), to the documentary '' Tokyo Olympiad'' (1965), which won t ...

's '' The Burmese Harp'', Nishimura also played leading roles throughout his career. He is sometimes known as Akira Nishimura, as the

kanji are logographic Chinese characters, adapted from Chinese family of scripts, Chinese script, used in the writing of Japanese language, Japanese. They were made a major part of the Japanese writing system during the time of Old Japanese and are ...

character 晃 can be translated as either Akira or Kō. The son of biologist and inventor Makoto Nishimura, Nishimura made his film debut in the Shin Saburi film ''Fusetsu Nijyunen'' in 1951. He won the

Blue Ribbon Awards The are film-specific prizes awarded solely by movie critics and writers in Tokyo, Japan, established in 1950 by , established under the name of the "Association of Tokyo Film Journalists Award", which was formed mainly by film reporters from th ...

for best supporting actor in 1964 for '' Unholy Desire'' directed by Shohei Imamura. In 1982, he won the Best Actor award in the

Mainichi Film Awards The are a series of annual film awards, sponsored by '' Mainichi Shimbun'' (毎日新聞), one of the largest newspaper companies in Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of ...

for his performances in ''Matagi''. In Japan, Nishimura is well known for playing the role of the title character in the long-running television

jidaigeki is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. Literally meaning "historical drama, period dramas", it refers to stories that take place before the Meiji Restoration of 1868. ''Jidaigeki'' show the lives of the samurai, farmers, crafts ...

series ''

Mito Kōmon is a Japanese ''jidaigeki'' or period drama that was on prime-time television from 1969 to 2011, making it the longest-running ''jidaigeki'' in Japanese television history. The title character is the historic Tokugawa Mitsukuni, former vice-' ...

'' from 1983 to 1992. He also portrayed the voice of the "Mamo/Howard Lockewood" in the original Japanese version of anime film ''

The Mystery of Mamo ''Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo'', also known as ''Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo'', is a 1978 Japanese adult animated science fiction action adventure comedy film. It is the first animated feature film based on the 1967–69 manga series ''Lupin ...

'' in 1978. In July 2019, Tokyo's Cinemavera Shibuya honored him with a film festival celebrating both Nishimura and

Yūnosuke Itō was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than ninety films from 1947 to 1979. Career Itō made his film debut at Toho in 1946, and although mostly a prominent supporting actor—playing memorable figures such as the novelist in Akira Ku ...

, another popular character actor who attained high status in Japan's entertainment industry.

Filmography

Film

*'' The Burmese Harp'' (1956) *''

Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate , also known as ''A Sun-Tribe Myth from the Bakumatsu Era'', is a 1957 Japanese comedy film directed by Yūzō Kawashima and written by Kawashima, Shōhei Imamura and Keiichi Tanaka. It was voted the fifth best Japanese film of all time in a p ...

'' (1957) *'' Umi no Yarōdomo'' (1957) as Mekkachi *'' Arashi no naka o tsuppashire'' (1958) *'' The Ballad of Narayama'' (1958) *'' Kurenai no Tsubasa'' (1958) as Mizutani Tetsuji *'' Ballad of the Cart'' (1959) *''

'' (1960) *'' Mutekiga Ore o Yondeiru'' (1960) *''

'' (1961) *''

'' (1961) *'' Burari Bura-bura Monogatari'' (1962) *'' Gorath'' (1962) as Murata, Minister of Space *'' High and Low'' (1963) *'' Rickshaw Man'' (1963 version) *''

Bushido, Samurai Saga , also titled ''Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai'' and ''Cruel Tale of Bushido'', is a 1963 Japanese drama and jidaigeki film directed by Tadashi Imai. It was entered into the 13th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Gold ...

'' (1963) *''

Attack Squadron! is a 1963 Japanese film directed by Shue Matsubayashi, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. The film is about Lt. Colonel Senda (Toshiro Mifune) who commands three fighter squadrons, eventually being dominated by Allied forces in June 1944. R ...

'' (1963) *'' Unholy Desire'' (1964) *'' Kunoichi Keshō'' (1964) *'' Sleepy Eyes of Death 5: Sword of Fire'' (1965) *'' Ninpō-chushingura'' (1965) * '' House of Terrors'' (1965) as the Hunchback *'' The Threat'' (1966) as Kawanishi *''

The Sword of Doom ''The Sword of Doom'', known in Japan as , is a 1966 Japanese ''jidaigeki'' film directed by Kihachi Okamoto and starring Tatsuya Nakadai. It is based on the serial novel of the same title by Kaizan Nakazato. Plot The story follows the life of R ...

'' (1966) as Shichibei *'' The Dancing Girl of Izu'' (1967 Toho version) *'' Zatoichi the Outlaw'' (1967) *'' Black Lizard'' (1968) *'' The Living Skeleton'' (1968) *''

Black Rose Mansion , also known as ''Black Rose'', is a 1969 Japanese drama film directed by Kinji Fukasaku. Plot The millionaire Kyohei Sako converts his mother's old villa into an entertainment parlor for his hobbies called the Black Rose Mansion. Ryuko Fujio, a ...

'' (1969) *'' The Wild Sea'' (1969) *'' Zatoichi, The Festival of Fire'' (1970) *'' Men and War Part II'' (1971) *'' Hanzo The Razor: Sword of Justice'' (1972) *'' Lady Snowblood'' (1973) *'' Tsugaru Folk Song'' (1973) *'' Hanzo The Razor: The Snare'' (1973) * ''

Karei-naru Ichizoku is a 1973 novel by Toyoko Yamasaki. It has been adapted into a film in 1974 and then three times as a television series in 1974, 2007, and 2021. Plot Set in the post-World War II climate of the 1960s in Kobe, the show explores the struggle for p ...

'' (1974) *'' Hanzo The Razor: Who's Got the Gold'' (1974) *'' New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head'' (1975) *''

Hokuriku Proxy War is a 1977 film directed by Kinji Fukasaku and starring Sonny Chiba and Hiroki Matsukata. Plot Kawada Noboru is a peasant from Mikuni who becomes a yakuza in the Tomiyasu Group in Fukui. He holds a letter from his boss Mr. Yasuhara promising t ...

'' (1977) as Mr. Yasuhara *'' The Incident'' (1978) * ''

Ogin-sama is jidaigeki novel written by Tōkō Kon and published in 1956. Kon won the Naoki Prize for the novel. The novel deals with Sen no Rikyū's daughter Ogin and Takayama Ukon. The novel was adapted into film twice. Adaptation * ''Love Under the C ...

'' (1978) * '' The Strangling'' (1979) *'' Nomugi Pass'' (1979) *'' Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis'' (1988) as Makoto Nishimura *''

47 Ronin 47, 47 or forty-seven may refer to: *47 (number) * 47 BC * AD 47 *1947 *2047 * '47 (brand), an American clothing brand * ''47'' (magazine), an American publication * 47 (song), a song by Sidhu Moose Wala *47, a song by New Found Glory from the a ...

'' (1994) as

Kira Yoshinaka (October 5, 1641 – January 30, 1703) was a Japanese ''kōke'' (master of ceremonies). His court title was ''Kokushi (officials), Kōzuke no suke (上野介)''. He is famous as the adversary of Asano Naganori in the events of the forty-seven ...

TV Drama

*''

Taiga drama is the name NHK gives to the annual year-long historical drama television series it broadcasts in Japan. Beginning in 1963 with the black-and-white ''Hana no Shōgai'', starring kabuki actor Onoe Shoroku II and Awashima Chikage, the network regul ...

series'' **'' Hana no Shōgai'' (1963) as Tada Ichiro **'' Akō Rōshi'' (1964) as Aizawa Shinbei **''San Shimai'' (1967) as Ennma no Choji **''Mominoki wa Nokotta'' (1970) **''

Haru no Sakamichi (TV series) is a 1971 Japanese television series. It is the ninth NHK taiga drama. Average viewership rating: 21.7%, with highest rating peaking at 27.5%. No footage in full color is said still exist, however only the 52nd episode still remains in black and ...

'' (1971) as Kawai Jinzaemon **'' Kunitori Monogatari'' (1973) as Hamura Shoha **'' Kaze to Kumo to Niji to'' (1976) as Minamoto no Mamoru **''Homura Tatsu'' (1993) as Kichiji *''

'' as

Tokugawa Mitsukuni , also known as , was a Japanese daimyō, daimyo who was known for his influence in the politics of the early Edo period. He was the third son of Tokugawa Yorifusa (who in turn was the eleventh son of Tokugawa Ieyasu) and succeeded him, becoming ...

of season 14 to 21 (1983-1992) *''

Lone Wolf and Cub is a Japanese manga series created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima. It was serialized in Futabasha's manga magazine '' Weekly Manga Action'' from September 1970 to April 1976, with its chapters collected in 28 ' volumes. ...

'' ( Yorozuya Kinnosuke version, 1974) as Yagyū Retsudō *''

Tōyama no Kin-san is a popular character based on the historical Tōyama Kagemoto, a samurai and official of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period of Japanese history. In kabuki and kōdan, he was celebrated under his childhood name, Kinshirō, shortened ...

'' (1975 version) *'' Momotarō-zamurai'' (1976) *''

Ōedo Sōsamō and are long-running prime time television ''jidaigeki'' programs that originally aired from 1970 to 1992. The series was broadcast on TV Tokyo (Tokyo 12 Channel). The title literally translates as " Oedo Dragnet" ("New Oedo Dragnet" for the seco ...

'' (season 4, 1976) *''Umi wa Yomigaeru'' (1977) as

Itō Hirobumi Kazoku, Prince , born , was a Japanese statesman who served as the first prime minister of Japan from 1885 to 1888, and later from 1892 to 1896, in 1898, and from 1900 to 1901. He was a leading member of the ''genrō'', a group of senior state ...

*'' Naruto Hichō'' (1977) as Yoami *''

Shiroi Kyotō is a 1965 novel by Toyoko Yamasaki. It has been adapted into a film in 1966 and then five times as a television series in 1967, 1978, 1990, 2003, and 2019. The 1966 film was entered into the 5th Moscow International Film Festival where it won a ...

'' (1978) as Kyosuke Takemura *'' Akō Rōshi'' (1979) as Onodera Jyunai *''

Fumō Chitai is a novel by Toyoko Yamasaki. It was serialized in the weekly magazine ''Sunday Manichi'' from 1973 to 1978. The novel was partially adapted into a film starring Tatsuya Nakadai and directed by Satsuo Yamamoto in 1976. It was later adapted i ...

'' (1979) *''

Sarutobi Sasuke is a ninja who appears in kōdan narrative art and fictional writings. The nickname is generally believed to have been concocted sometime between the Meiji to the Taishō periods. Some argue he is based on real live personages, such as and . ...

'' (1980) as

Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (born Matsudaira Takechiyo; 31 January 1543 – 1 June 1616) was the founder and first ''shōgun'' of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was the third of the three "Gr ...

*''Dai Chūshingura'' (1980) as

*''Miyamoto Musashi'' (1984) as Yagyū Sekishūsai *''The Men Who Made Ultraman'' (1989) as

Eiji Tsuburaya was a Japanese special effects director, filmmaker, and cinematographer. A co-creator of the ''Godzilla (franchise), Godzilla'' and ''Ultraman'' franchises, he is considered one of the most important and influential figures in the history o ...

*''Daichi no Ko'' (1995)

Voice

*'' Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo'' (1978) as Mamo/Howard Lockewood *'' Nutcracker Fantasy'' (1979) as Uncle Drosselmeyer, Puppeteer, Street Singer, Watchmaker

Dubbing

* ''

Serpico ''Serpico'' is a 1973 American biographical crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino in the title role. The screenplay was adapted by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler from the book written by Peter Maas, with the assistan ...

'' (1977 TV Asahi edition) as Captain McClain ( Biff McGuire)

Other

*'' Quiz Derby''

Honours

* Medal with Purple Ribbon (1987) * Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette (1994)

References

External links

* 1923 births 1997 deaths Actors from Sapporo Japanese male film actors 20th-century Japanese male actors Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th class {{Japan-film-actor-stub