Shintaro Katsu

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Infobox Actor
name = Shintaro Katsu


caption = Shintaro Katsu from the cover of his "Yesterday" single.
birthdate = birth date|1931|11|29
birthplace = Fukagawa, Tokyo, Japan
deathdate = death date and age|1997|6|21|1931|11|29
deathplace = Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
occupation = Actor, singer, producer,
writer and director
spouse = Tamao Nakamura
website = nihongo|Shintaro Katsu|勝 新太郎|"Shintarō Katsu", born Toshio Okumura (奥村 利夫 "Okumura Toshio", November 29, 1931—June 21, 1997; nicknamed Katsu-shin) was a Japanese actor, singer, producer, and director. He was the son of kabuki performer Katsutoji Kineya ("Kineya Katsutōji") who was renowned for his nagauta and shamisen skills, younger brother of actor Tomisaburo Wakayama ("Wakayama Tomisaburō"), husband of actress Tamao Nakamura (married in 1962), and father of actor Ryutaro Gan ("Gan Ryūtarō").

His best known role was as blind Yakuza anma (masseur) Zatoichi in the series of films by the same name, which were very popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Katsu played Zatoichi in 25 movies between 1962 and 1973, starred and directed a 26th in 1989 and played the role in four seasons of a spin-off television series, the role comprising almost 30 years of his career.

Katsu became a force to be reckoned with within the Japanese entertainment industry during his long and varied career, not the least of which was the company Katsu Productions, which was formed after the closing of Daiei Studios. By all appearances Katsu Productions' focus was on producing film and television that challenged the established values of its industry, presenting many films that pushed the limits of their time. Though not always initially artistically appreciated, many of these films have gone on to be considered classics (The Goyokiba and Kozure Okami series, etc.). Introducing more intense themes of sex and violence, the influence of many of these films can still be found in contemporary Japanese cinema.

He is also known for his troubled personal lifelopsided|date=September 2008; a heavy drinker, Katsu had several skirmishes with the law regarding drug use as well, including marijuana, opium, and cocaine with arrests in 1978, 1990, and 1992.Fact|date=September 2008 These incidents resulted in his being removed from consideration for several parts both in Japan and abroad, amongst them an ad campaign for Kirin Beer in Japan (the campaign was pulled as it had already been in progress) and the lead role in Ridley Scott's 1989 film "Black Rain" (he was replaced by Ken Takakura).Fact|date=September 2008

He had also developed a reputation for being something of a troublemaker on set.lopsided|date=September 2008 When director Akira Kurosawa cast him for the lead role in "Kagemusha" (1980), Katsu left before the first day of shooting was over. Though accounts differ as to the incident, the most consistentClarifyme|date=September 2008 one details Katsu's clash with Kurosawa regarding bringing his own film crew to the set (to film Kurosawa in action for later exhibition to his own acting students).Fact|date=September 2008 Kurosawa is reputed to have taken great offense at this, resulting in Katsu's termination (he was replaced by Tatsuya Nakadai). In her recent book, "Waiting On The Weather", about her experiences with director Kurosawa, script supervisor Teruyo Nogami chalks the differences between Katsu and Kurosawa up to a personality clash that had unfortunate artistic results.

Katsu encountered further controversy and personal disgrace when stunt actor Yukio Kato was accidentally killed on the set of Zatoichi 26 by his son, who was co-starring, due to a prop-related mishap (an actual sword was mistaken for a prop; Kato was fatally wounded).lopsided|date=September 2008 Katsu Productions was eventually bankrupted by a combination of gambling debts, general mismanagementlopsided|date=September 2008, and Katsu's generosity, for which he was well-knownClarifyme|date=September 2008 in Japanese entertainment circles.

In her book, "Geisha, A Life", famed Kyoto geisha Mineko Iwasaki claims a long time affair with Katsu, whom she calls by his given name, Toshio. The affair ended in 1976, and eventually the two became good friends until his death.

Katsu had a "blood brother" in Australia, Queensland entrepreneur Brian King. King teamed up with Katsu in 1979/1980 in Japan and Australia. King and Katsu collaborated in an effort to produce a movie based on a Japanese P.O.W break-out in the small Australian town of Cowra on 5th August 1944. Over 1100 Japanese POWs took part; 231 of them died, many taking their own lives. Plans were for Katsu to both star in and direct the film.

Katsu produced the manga-based "Lone Wolf and Cub" ("Kozure Okami") series of violent jidaigeki films starring his brother Tomisaburo Wakayama which were later compiled into the movie "Shogun Assassin", as well as co-writing, producing, and acting alongside his brother in the TV series "Oshi Samurai" ("The Mute Samurai").

His other television work includes the police drama "Keishi-K" ("Superintendent K") which he starred in (as Katsutoshi Gatsu), co-wrote, directed, and produced. His daughter, Masami Okumura, co-starred. Other well-known film work includes the Goyokiba ("Fangs Of The Detective", known in the US as Hanzo the Razor, as Detective Itami Hanzo) trilogy of exploitation movies. He was also an accomplished shamisen player, as well as a vocalist, recording several albums in both pop and Enka. Nonetheless, his name remains synonymous with Zatoichi, the blind swordsman.

He died of pharyngeal cancer on June 21 1997.

Partial Filmography

Actor

*Rônin-gai (1990)
*Kujaku ô: Ashura densetsu aka Saga of the Phoenix (1990)
*Zatôichi 26 aka Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally(1989)
*Teito monogatari aka Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988)
*Dokugan-ryu Masamune" TV Series(1987)
*Meiso chizu (1983)
*"Zatôichi monogatari" TV Series (1974)
*Akumyo: shima arashiaka Akumyo: Notorious Dragon (1974)
*Goyôkiba: Oni no Hanzô yawahada koban aka Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold? (1974)
*Yadonashi (1974)
*Goyôkiba: Kamisori Hanzô jigoku zeme aka Hanzo the Razor: The Snare (1973)
*Ôshô (1973)
*Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Kasama no chimatsuri aka Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973)
*Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Oreta tsue aka Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)
*Shin heitai yakuza: Kasen (1972)
*Zatôichi goyô-tabi aka Zatoichi at Large (1972)
*Goyôkiba aka Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice (1972)
*Kaoyaku (1971)
*Kitsune no kureta akanbô (1971)
*Inochi bô ni furô aka Inn of Evil (1971)
*Shin Zatôichi: Yabure! Tojin-ken aka Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman (1971)
*Zatôichi abare-himatsuri aka Zatoichi at the Fire Festival (1970)
*Yakuza zessyô (1970)
*Machibuse aka Incident at Blood Pass (1970)
*Genkai yûkyôden: Yabure kabure (1970)
*Zatôichi to Yôjinbô aka Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970)
*Kenka ichidai: Dodekai yatsu (1970)
*Akumyo ichiban shobu (1969)
*Shirikurae Magoichi aka The Magoichi Saga (1969)
*Hitokiri aka Tenchu!(1969)
*Oni no sumu yakata aka Devil's Temple (1969)
*Zatôichi kenka-daiko aka Samaritan Zatoichi (1968)
*Zatôichi hatashi-jô aka Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968)
*Moetsukita chizu aka The Man Without a Map (1968)
*Akumyo juhachi-ban (1968)
*Heitai yakuza godatsu (1968)
*Tomuraishi tachi (1968)
*Zoku yakuza bozu (1968)
*Zatoichi chikemuri kaido aka Zatoichi Challenged (1967)
*Heitai yakuza nagurikomi aka Hoodlum Soldier on the Attack (1967)
*Zatôichi rôyaburi aka Zatoichi the Outlaw (1967)
*Akumyo ichidai (1967)
*Zatoichi tekka tabi aka Zatoichi's Cane-sword (1967)
*Heitai yakuza ore ni makasero (1967)
*Yakuza bozu aka The Hoodlum Priest (1967)
*Zatôichi umi o wataru aka Zatoichi's Pilgrimage (1966)
*Zatoichi no uta ga kikoeru aka Zatoichi's Vengeance (1966)
*Akumyo zakura (1966) .... Asakichi
*Heitai yakuza daidasso (1966)
*Heitai yakuza datsugoku (1966)
*Shin heitai yakuza aka Hoodlum Soldier Deserts Again (1966)
*Zatoichi Jigoku tabi aka Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965)
*Akumyo muteki (1965)
*Zatoichi sakate giri aka Zatoichi and the Doomed Man (1965)
*Muhomatsu no issho aka Life of Matsu the Untamed (1965)
*Akumyo nobori (1965)
*Zatôichi nidan-kiri Zatoichi's Revenge (1965)
*Heitai yakuza aka The Hoodlum Soldier (1965)
*Suruga yûkyôden: Dokyô garasu (1965)
*Zoku heitai yakuza aka Hoodlum Soldier and the C.O. (1965)
*Zatoichi sekisho yaburi aka Adventures of Zatoichi (1964)
*Shiawasa nara te o tatake aka If You're Happy, Clap Your Hands (1964)
*Kojiki taisho (1964)
*Zatôichi kesshô-tabi (1964) aka Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
*Suruga yûkyôden (1964)
*Akumyo daiko (1964) .... Asakichi
*Zatôichi abare tako aka Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (1964)
*Suruga yûkyôden: Toba arashi (1964)
*Zatôichi senryô-kubi aka Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold (1964)
*Dokonjô monogatari: Zuputo iyatsu (1964)
*Rônin-gai (1964)
*Akumyo ichiban (1963)
*Zatôichi kenka-tabi aka Zatoichi on the Road (1963)
*Akumyo hatoba (1963)
*Zatoichi kyojo tabi aka Zatoichi The Fugitive (1963)
*Akumyo ichiba (1963)
*Shin Zatoichi monogatari aka New Tale of Zatoichi(1963)
*Yukinojo henge aka An Actor's Revenge (1963)
*Daisan no akumyo (1963)
*Dokonjo monogatari - zeni no odori aka The Money Dance (1963)
*Zoku shin akumyo aka New Bad Reputation Continues (1962)
*Shin shikôtei aka The Great Wall (1962)
*Zoku Zatoichi monogatari aka The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962)
*Kujira gami aka The Whale God (1962)
*Shin akumyo aka New Bad Reputation (1962)
*Zatôichi monogatari aka The Life and Opinion of Masseur Ichi (1962)
*Zoku akumyo aka Tough Guy, Part 2 (1961)
*Shaka aka Buddha (1961)
*Akumyô aka Tough Guy (1961)
*Midaregami aka Blind Devotion (1961)
*Hanakurabe tanuki dochu (1961)
*Kaze to kumo totoride (1961)
*Mito komon umi o wataru (1961)
*Tsukinode no ketto (1960)
*Shiranui kengyô aka Secrets of a Court Masseur (1960)
*Ooe-yama Shuten-dôjiaka The Ogre of Mount Oe (1960)
*Zoku Jirocho Fuji (1960)
*Hatsuharu tanuki gotten aka Enchanted Princess (1959)
*Bibô ni tsumi ari aka Beauty Is Guilty (1959)
*Jirocho Fuji (1959)
*Seki no yatappe (1959)
*Hakuokiaka aka Samurai Vendetta (1959)
*Kaibyô noroi no kabe aka Ghost-Cat Wall of Hatred (1958)
*Chûshinguraaka The Loyal 47 Ronin (1958)
*Benten kozo aka The Gay Masquerade (1958)
*Nichiren to moko daishurai (1958)
*Kaibyô Yonaki numa aka Ghost-Cat of Yonaki (1957)
*Osaka monogatari aka An Osaka Story (1957)
*Tsukigata Hanpeita (1956)
*Kaibyo Gojusan-tsugi aka Ghost-Cat of Gojusan-Tsugi (1956)
*Marason zamurai (1956)
*Yagyû renyasai: hidentsuki kageshô (1956)
*Bara ikutabika aka A Girl Isn't Allowed to Love (1955)

Producer

*Zatôichi aka Shintaro Katsu's Zatoichi (1989)
*Shogun Assassin (1980) (producer)
*Akumyo: shima arashiaka Akumyo: Notorious Dragon (1974)
*Goyôkiba: Oni no Hanzô yawahada koban aka Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold? (1974) (producer)
*Yadonashi (1974) (producer)
*Goyôkiba: Kamisori Hanzô jigoku zeme aka Hanzo the Razor: The Snare (1973)
*Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Kasama no chimatsuri aka Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973)
*"Oshi samurai" TV Series (executive producer)(1973)
*Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Oreta tsue aka Zatoichi in Desperation (1972) (producer)
*Kozure Ôkami: Shinikazeni mukau ubaguruma aka Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades (1972) (producer)
*Kozure Ôkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma aka Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972) (producer)
*Kozure Ôkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru aka Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance(1972) (producer)
*Shin heitai yakuza: Kasen (1972) (producer)
*Zatôichi goyô-tabi aka Zatoichi at Large(1972) (producer)
*Goyôkiba aka Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice (1972) (producer)
*Kaoyaku (1971) (executive producer)
*Shin Zatôichi: Yabure! Tojin-ken aka Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman (1971) (producer)
*Ali, the Fighter aka Ali the Man: Ali the Fighter (1971) (producer)
*Zatôichi abare-himatsuri aka Zatoichi at the Fire Festival (1970) (producer)
*Zatôichi to Yôjinbô aka Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970) (producer)

Director

*Zatôichi aka Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally (1989)
*"Zatôichi monogatari" (1974) TV Series (episode "A Memorial Day and the Bell of Life")
*"Oshi samurai" (1973) TV Series
*Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Oreta tsue aka Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)
*Kaoyaku (1971)

Writer

*Zatôichi aka Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally (1989) (screenplay)
*Kaoyaku (1971)
*Zatôichi abare-himatsuri aka Zatoichi at the Fire Festival (1970)

elf

*The Blind Swordsman (documentary) (1978)

Television

*Zatoichi Monogatari (actor, writer, director)
*Shin Zatoichi Monogatari (actor, writer, director)
*Shin Zatoichi (actor, writer, director)
*Oshi Samurai (The Mute Samurai) (actor, writer, director)
*Keishi-K (Superintendent K) (actor, writer, director)

References

*Shintaro Katsu illustrated, Kawakatsu Masayuki, PIE Books, ISBN 489443031
*Outlaw Masters Of Japanese Film, Chris Desjardins, I.B.Tauris, ISBN 1845110862
*Geisha: A Life, Mineko Iwasaki/Contributor Rande Brown, Atria Books, ISBN 0743444329
*Public People, Private People: Portraits of Some Japanese, Donald Richie, Kodansha International, ISBN 4770021046
*Tokyo Underworld: The Fast Times and Hard Life of an American Gangster in Japan, Robert Whiting, Vintage, ISBN 0375724893
*Kyoto: A Cultural History, John Dougill, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195301382
*The Japan Journals: 1947-2004, Donald Richie, Stone Bridge Press, ISBN 1880656973
*A Japanese Advertising Agency: An Anthropology of Media and Markets, Brian Moeran, University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 0824818733
*Waiting on the Weather: Making Movies with Akira Kurosawa by Teruyo Nogami, Foreword by Donald Richie,Stone Bridge Press ISBN-13: 978-1-933330-09-9

External links

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