Takashi Shimura

Takashi Shimura was a Japanese actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1934 and 1981. He was one of the most frequent collaborators of director Akira Kurosawa, appearing in 21 of his 30 films, more than any other actor. He played a variety of roles, from samurai warriors to modern-day bureaucrats, and was known for his versatility and expressive acting. He was especially acclaimed for his performances as a dying man in Ikiru (1952) and as the leader of the titular group in Seven Samurai (1954), two of Kurosawa's most celebrated films. He also played Professor Kyohei Yamane in the original Godzilla (1954) and its sequel Godzilla Raids Again (1955), as well as other films by directors such as Yasujirō Ozu, Mikio Naruse, and Ishirō Honda. He was a descendant of the samurai class and had a passion for drama since his youth. He joined various theatre companies and radio plays before making his film debut in 1934. He signed a long-term contract with Toho Studios in 1943 and worked with them until his death. He was honored by the Japanese government with the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1974 and the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1980 for his contributions to the arts. He died of emphysema in 1982 at the age of 76. His effects were presented to the Film Centre of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.