Yasujirō Ozu
Japanese filmmaker who worked with actress Iida Chōko and her husband, cameraman Hideo Shigehara.
Yasujirō Ozu was a Japanese filmmaker whose work is connected to actress Iida Chōko through their collaborations at Shochiku. Iida played supporting roles in many of his films, including *Days of Youth* and *Tokyo Chorus*. She later appeared in his post-war film *Record of a Tenement Gentleman* in 1947. Ozu worked frequently with Iida's husband, cameraman Hideo Shigehara. Iida became known for her expressive acting style in Ozu's *A Story of Floating Weeds*.
- field
- Filmmaker
- nationality
- Japanese
Quick Facts
- Native Name Lang
- ja
- Birth Date
- df=yes · 1903 · 12 · 12
- Birth Place
- Fukagawa, Tokyo City, Empire of Japan
- Death Date
- df=yes · 1963 · 12 · 12 · 1903 · 12 · 12
- Death Place
- Bunkyō City, Tokyo, Japan
- Resting Place
- Engaku-ji, Kamakura, Japan
- Other Names
- James Maki
- Occupation
- Film director / screenwriter
- Years Active
- 1929–1963
- Movement
- Shomin-geki
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Yasujirō Ozu collaborated extensively with cameraman Hideo Shigehara, who was married to actress Iida Chōko. Iida played supporting roles in several of Ozu's films, such as *Days of Youth* and *Tokyo Chorus*. Her expressive acting style was particularly noted in Ozu's *A Story of Floating Weeds*. After World War II, Iida appeared in Ozu's 1947 film *Record of a Tenement Gentleman*. Ozu's career spanned the silent film era and the transition to sound films; Iida's first sound film was *Chushingura* in 1932, and she studied rakugo as the film world moved to talkies.
Reader's Guide
For fans of Iida Chōko, Yasujirō Ozu is a key figure because she appeared in multiple of his films, including *Days of Youth*, *Tokyo Chorus*, and *A Story of Floating Weeds*, where her expressive acting was praised. After the war, she starred in his *Record of a Tenement Gentleman* (1947). Ozu also worked closely with Iida's husband, cameraman Hideo Shigehara. Iida's career at Shochiku, where Ozu also worked, included roles in both silent and sound films, reflecting the industry changes Ozu navigated.
Did You Know?
- Iida Chōko played supporting roles in Yasujirō Ozu's films *Days of Youth* and *Tokyo Chorus*.
- Iida's husband, cameraman Hideo Shigehara, worked often with Yasujirō Ozu.
- Iida became known for her expressive acting style in Ozu's *A Story of Floating Weeds*.
- Iida's first post-war film with Yasujirō Ozu was *Record of a Tenement Gentleman* in 1947.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Yasujirō Ozu?
Yasujirō Ozu was a Japanese filmmaker whose career stretched from the silent-film era into the early 1960s. He is best known for intimate, character-driven dramas that examine family bonds and the emotional distance between generations.
What is Yasujirō Ozu's most celebrated film?
Tokyo Story (1953) is widely regarded as his masterpiece and remains his most frequently cited work. The film follows an aging couple who travel to Tokyo to visit their grown children and confront their own quiet isolation.
What subjects does Yasujirō Ozu typically explore?
His films consistently return to the rhythms of family life, marriage, and the slow drift that separates parents from adult children. He had a particular talent for showing how small domestic moments reveal larger shifts in a relationship.
When was Yasujirō Ozu born and when did he die?
He was born on 12 December 1903 and passed away on 12 December 1963, living exactly sixty years. His final color films in the early 1960s closed out a career that began during the silent era.
Why is Yasujirō Ozu considered one of the greatest filmmakers?
Critics and scholars worldwide have long placed him among the most influential directors in cinema history. His restrained visual grammar and deep empathy for ordinary domestic life continue to shape how filmmakers approach storytelling well after his death.
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