Tomisaburo Wakayama
Tomisaburō Wakayama (Japanese若 山 富 三郎, Wakayama Tomisaburō; born September 1, 1929 in Tokyo, Japan, † April 2, 1992 in Kyoto, Japan ) was a Japanese actor. His most famous role was that of the former Kogi Kaishaku - Nin, " executioner " of the government, and now assassin Itto Ogami in the Kozure Ōkami - film series that runs with his son in a stroller through the Japan of the Edo period. The six films in the series are among the most famous works of the samurai film genre.
Biography
Early years
Tomisaburō Wakayama was born into a family of kabuki actors. With his younger brother, Shintaro Katsu, he followed his father to the theater soon. Bored with theater, he began 13 years Judo to train and reached in the 4th Dan. During this time, he finally gave up the theater altogether. When the Japanese film company Toho became aware of him, he worked as a judo instructor. He was engaged as a future martial arts star in the then popular Jidai - geki films.
Acting Career
In preparation for his film career, Wakayama practiced other martial arts such as Kempo, Iaidō, kendo, or Bojutsu. This eventually he turns in his most important role, that of the Itto Ogami in the Kozure Ōkami - film series at. After this film series Wakayama played in various films. It is believed that he was involved in 250 to 500 films. However, since from that time are no accurate records, these figures are not backed up.
His only roles in an American film were those of a baseball coach in The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (Eng. The bears are unstoppable ) and as a yakuza boss and opponent of Michael Douglas in Ridley Scott's Black Rain.
Death
Wakayama died on 2 April 1992 from the effects of a heart attack at a hospital in Kyoto. His death ended his just increasing popularity in the West who could have given his acting career new drive.