Masahiro Shinoda
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
film director
, originally associated with the Shochiku
Studio, who came to prominence as part of the Japanese New Wave in the 1960s.
, where he studied theater and also participated in the Hakone Ekiden
long distance race. He joined the Shōchiku Studio in 1953 as an assistant director, where he worked on films by such directors as Yasujirō Ozu
. He debuted as a director in 1960 with One-Way Ticket for Love, which he also scripted. His focus on youth and the cultural and political turmoil of 1960s Japan made him a central figure in the Shōchiku New Wave alongside Nagisa Ōshima
and Yoshishige Yoshida
. He worked in a variety of genres, from the yakuza film (Pale Flower
) to the samurai film (Assassination), but he particularly became known for his focus on socially marginal characters and for an interest in traditional Japanese theater, which found its greatest expression in Double Suicide
, in which actors are manipulated like Bunraku
puppets. He also was interested in sports, directing a documentary on the 1972 Winter Olympics
. Also known for his collaborations with such artists as Shūji Terayama
and Tōru Takemitsu
, Shinoda left Shōchiku in 1965 to form his own production company, Hyōgensha.
His 1986 film Gonza the Spearman
was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival
, where it won the Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution. He won the 1991 Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year
for Childhood Days
. He also won the Izumi Kyōka Prize in 2010 for a novel (Shinoda himself had earlier adapted a Kyōka novel to the screen in the 1979 Demon Pond).
He married the actress Shima Iwashita, who appears in several of his films, in 1967. He retired from directing after the release of Spy Sorge in 2003, a biopic on the life of Richard Sorge
.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, originally associated with the Shochiku
Shochiku
is a Japanese movie studio and production company for kabuki. It also produces and distributes anime films. Its best remembered directors include Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita and Yōji Yamada...
Studio, who came to prominence as part of the Japanese New Wave in the 1960s.
Career
Shinoda attended Waseda UniversityWaseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
, where he studied theater and also participated in the Hakone Ekiden
Hakone Ekiden
', which is officially called ', is one of the prominent university ekiden races of the year held between Tokyo and Hakone in Japan on 2 and 3 January. The race is telecast on Nippon Television....
long distance race. He joined the Shōchiku Studio in 1953 as an assistant director, where he worked on films by such directors as Yasujirō Ozu
Yasujiro Ozu
was a prominent Japanese film director and script writer. He is known for his distinctive technical style, developed during the silent era. Marriage and family, especially the relationships between the generations, are among the most persistent themes in his body of work...
. He debuted as a director in 1960 with One-Way Ticket for Love, which he also scripted. His focus on youth and the cultural and political turmoil of 1960s Japan made him a central figure in the Shōchiku New Wave alongside Nagisa Ōshima
Nagisa Oshima
is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. After graduating from Kyoto University he was hired by Shochiku Ltd. and quickly progressed to directing his own movies, making his debut feature A Town of Love and Hope in 1959....
and Yoshishige Yoshida
Yoshishige Yoshida
is a Japanese film director and screenwriter.-Career:Graduating from Tokyo University, Yoshida entered the Shōchiku studio in 1955 and debuted as a director in 1960 with Rokudenashi...
. He worked in a variety of genres, from the yakuza film (Pale Flower
Pale Flower
Pale Flower is a 1964 Japanese crime film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. The film is about Muraki a Yakuza hitman just released from prison. At an illegal gambling parlor, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious young woman named Saeko . Though Saeko loses large sums of money, she asks Muraki to...
) to the samurai film (Assassination), but he particularly became known for his focus on socially marginal characters and for an interest in traditional Japanese theater, which found its greatest expression in Double Suicide
Double Suicide
is a 1969 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It is based on the 1721 play The Love Suicides at Amijima by Monzaemon Chikamatsu. This play is often performed in the bunraku style...
, in which actors are manipulated like Bunraku
Bunraku
, also known as Ningyō jōruri , is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, founded in Osaka in 1684.Three kinds of performers take part in a bunraku performance:* Ningyōtsukai or Ningyōzukai—puppeteers* Tayū—the chanters* Shamisen players...
puppets. He also was interested in sports, directing a documentary on the 1972 Winter Olympics
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
. Also known for his collaborations with such artists as Shūji Terayama
Shuji Terayama
was an avant-garde Japanese poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. According to many critics and supporters, he was one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan. He was born December 10, 1935, the only son of Hachiro and Hatsu Terayama in...
and Tōru Takemitsu
Toru Takemitsu
was a Japanese composer and writer on aesthetics and music theory. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu possessed consummate skill in the subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre...
, Shinoda left Shōchiku in 1965 to form his own production company, Hyōgensha.
His 1986 film Gonza the Spearman
Gonza the Spearman
is a 1986 Japanese drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution.-Cast:* Haruko Kato as Oyuki's nanny* Hideji Ôtaki as Iwaki...
was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival
36th Berlin International Film Festival
-Jury:* Gina Lollobrigida * Rudi Fehr* Lindsay Anderson* August Coppola* Werner Grassmann* Otar Iosseliani* Norbert Kückelmann* Francoise Maupin* Rosaura Revueltas* Naoki Togawa* Jerzy Toeplitz-Films in competition:...
, where it won the Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution. He won the 1991 Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year
Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year
The of the Japan Academy Prize is one of the annual Awards given by the Nippon Academy-sho association .-List of winners:-External links:* - **...
for Childhood Days
Childhood Days
is a 1990 Japanese film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:A story of childhood life during wartime Japan. Takeshi, the intelligent son of a fisherman, is the schoolyard bully. When his cousin comes to stay with his family to avoid...
. He also won the Izumi Kyōka Prize in 2010 for a novel (Shinoda himself had earlier adapted a Kyōka novel to the screen in the 1979 Demon Pond).
He married the actress Shima Iwashita, who appears in several of his films, in 1967. He retired from directing after the release of Spy Sorge in 2003, a biopic on the life of Richard Sorge
Richard Sorge
Richard Sorge was a German communist and spy who worked for the Soviet Union. He has gained great fame among espionage enthusiasts for his intelligence gathering during World War II. He worked as a journalist in both Germany and Japan, where he was imprisoned for spying and eventually hanged....
.
Filmography
- One-Way Ticket for Love (恋の片道切符) (1960)
- Kawaita mizuumi (乾いた湖) (Dry Lake) (1960)
- My Face Red in the Sunset (夕陽に赤い俺の顔) (1961)
- わが恋の旅路 (The Path of Young Love(??)) (1961)
- Shamisen and Motorcycle (三味線とオートバイ) (1961)
- Our Marriage (私たちの結婚) (1961)
- Epitaph to My Love (山の讃歌 燃ゆる若者たち) (1961)
- Tears on the Lion's Mane (涙を、獅子のたて髪に) (1962)
- Glory on the Summit (1962)
- Kawaita hanaPale FlowerPale Flower is a 1964 Japanese crime film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. The film is about Muraki a Yakuza hitman just released from prison. At an illegal gambling parlor, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious young woman named Saeko . Though Saeko loses large sums of money, she asks Muraki to...
(乾いた花) (Withered Flower, a.k.a. Pale FlowerPale FlowerPale Flower is a 1964 Japanese crime film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. The film is about Muraki a Yakuza hitman just released from prison. At an illegal gambling parlor, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious young woman named Saeko . Though Saeko loses large sums of money, she asks Muraki to...
) (1964) - Ansatsu (暗殺) (Assassination) (1964)
- With Beauty and SorrowBeauty and Sadness (novel)Beauty and Sadness is a 1964 novel by Japanese author Yasunari Kawabata. Opening on the train to Kyoto, the novel in characteristic Kawabata fashion subtly brings up issues of tradition vs. modernity as it explores Oki Toshio's, a Japanese writer, reunion with a young lover from his past, Otoko...
(美しさと哀しみと) (1965) - Ibun Sarutobi SasukeSamurai Spyis a 1965 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, based on a novel by Koji Nakada. Made during the height of the cold war, the film follows the lives of spies caught up in the power struggles of their times.- Story :...
(異聞猿飛佐助) (The Strange Story of Sarutobi Sasuke, a.k.a. Samurai SpySamurai Spyis a 1965 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, based on a novel by Koji Nakada. Made during the height of the cold war, the film follows the lives of spies caught up in the power struggles of their times.- Story :...
) (1965) - Captive's Island (処刑の島) (1966)
- Clouds at Sunset (あかね雲) (1967)
- Shinjū ten no AmijimaDouble Suicideis a 1969 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It is based on the 1721 play The Love Suicides at Amijima by Monzaemon Chikamatsu. This play is often performed in the bunraku style...
(心中天網島) (Amijima Effaced to Heaven by Lovers' Suicide, a.k.a. Double SuicideDouble Suicideis a 1969 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It is based on the 1721 play The Love Suicides at Amijima by Monzaemon Chikamatsu. This play is often performed in the bunraku style...
) (1969) - Outlaws (無頼漢) (1970)
- The Scandalous Adventures of BuraikanThe Scandalous Adventures of Buraikanis a 1970 Japanese film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was Japan's submission to the 43rd Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but was not accepted as a nominee.-See also:...
(1970) - Chinmoku / SilenceSilence (1971 film)Silence is a 1971 Japanese drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda based on the novel of the same name by Shusaku Endo on the entry of Jesuit missionaries to seventeenth century Japan. Mainly with Japanese dialogue, it has short sequences in English...
(沈黙 / Silence) (1971) - Sapporo Winter Olympics (札幌オリンピック) (1972)
- The Petrified Forest (化石の森) (1973)
- HimikoHimiko (film)Himiko is a 1974 Japanese drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was entered into the 1974 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Shima Iwashita - Himiko* Masao Kusakari - Takehiko* Rentaro Mikuni - Nashime* Rie Yokoyama - Adahime* Jun Hamamura - Narrator...
(卑弥呼) (1974) - Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees (桜の森の満開の下) (1975)
- Ballad of OrinBallad of Orinis a 1977 Japanese film directed by Masahiro Shinoda.-Awards and nominations:2nd Hochi Film Award* Won: Best Actress - Shima Iwashita-References:...
(はなれ瞽女おりん) (1977) - Demon Pond (夜叉ケ池) (1979)
- Akuryo Island (悪霊島) (1981)
- MacArthur's ChildrenMacArthur's Childrenis a popular and influential 1984 Japanese motion picture. Describing the impact of the United States' occupation of Japan from the perspective of the inhabitants of a small, rural island community, the film featured the big screen debut of actor Ken Watanabe....
(瀬戸内少年野球団) (1984) - ALLUSION～ 転生譚 (1985)
- Gonza the SpearmanGonza the Spearmanis a 1986 Japanese drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was entered into the 36th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution.-Cast:* Haruko Kato as Oyuki's nanny* Hideji Ôtaki as Iwaki...
(近松門左衛門 鑓の権三) (1986) - The Dancer (舞姫) (1989)
- Childhood DaysChildhood Daysis a 1990 Japanese film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:A story of childhood life during wartime Japan. Takeshi, the intelligent son of a fisherman, is the schoolyard bully. When his cousin comes to stay with his family to avoid...
(少年時代) (1990) - SharakuSharaku (film)Sharaku is a 1995 Japanese drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It was entered into the 1995 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Hiroyuki Sanada - Tonbo* Frankie Sakai - Tsutaya* Shima Iwashita - Troupe Leader* Tsurutaro Kataoka - Goro...
(写楽 Sharaku) (1995) - Setouchi Moonlight Serenade (1997)
- Owls' CastleOwls' CastleOwl's Castle is a 1999 Japanese ninja-themed film written by Masahiro Shinoda and Katsuo Naruse and directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It is a remake of the 1963 film Castle of Owls, based on Ryotaro Shiba's 1959 novel under the same name.The film starred Kiichi Nakai, Takaya Kamikawa, Mayu Tsuruta and...
(1999) - Spy SorgeSpy SorgeSpy Sorge is a Japanese film directed by Masahiro Shinoda in 2003, about the Soviet spy Richard Sorge.-Technical details:*Writers: Robert Mandy & Masahiro Shinoda...
(2003)
Film availability
- Kawaita hanaPale FlowerPale Flower is a 1964 Japanese crime film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. The film is about Muraki a Yakuza hitman just released from prison. At an illegal gambling parlor, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious young woman named Saeko . Though Saeko loses large sums of money, she asks Muraki to...
(乾いた花) (Withered Flower, a.k.a. Pale FlowerPale FlowerPale Flower is a 1964 Japanese crime film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. The film is about Muraki a Yakuza hitman just released from prison. At an illegal gambling parlor, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious young woman named Saeko . Though Saeko loses large sums of money, she asks Muraki to...
) (1964)- DVD: Region 1 NTSC: Home Vision Entertainment (US)
- Ansatsu (暗殺) (Assassination) (1964)
- DVD: Region 2 NTSC: The Masters of Cinema Series (UK)
- Ibun Sarutobi SasukeSamurai Spyis a 1965 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, based on a novel by Koji Nakada. Made during the height of the cold war, the film follows the lives of spies caught up in the power struggles of their times.- Story :...
(異聞猿飛佐助) (The Strange Story of Sarutobi Sasuke, a.k.a. Samurai SpySamurai Spyis a 1965 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda, based on a novel by Koji Nakada. Made during the height of the cold war, the film follows the lives of spies caught up in the power struggles of their times.- Story :...
) (1965)- DVD: Region 0 NTSC: The Criterion Collection (US)
- Shinjû-ten AmijimaDouble Suicideis a 1969 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It is based on the 1721 play The Love Suicides at Amijima by Monzaemon Chikamatsu. This play is often performed in the bunraku style...
(心中天網島) (Amijima Effaced to Heaven by Lovers' Suicide, a.k.a. Double SuicideDouble Suicideis a 1969 film directed by Masahiro Shinoda. It is based on the 1721 play The Love Suicides at Amijima by Monzaemon Chikamatsu. This play is often performed in the bunraku style...
) (1969)- DVD: Region 0 NTSC: The Criterion Collection (US)
- Chinmoku / SilenceSilence (1971 film)Silence is a 1971 Japanese drama film directed by Masahiro Shinoda based on the novel of the same name by Shusaku Endo on the entry of Jesuit missionaries to seventeenth century Japan. Mainly with Japanese dialogue, it has short sequences in English...
(沈黙 / Silence) (1971)- DVD: Region 2 NTSC: The Masters of Cinema Series (UK)
External links
- The Movie Experience: Conversation with actress Shima Iwashita and director Masahiro Shinoda at the Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley