Shintaro Katsu

Shintaro Katsu was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker who became famous for his role as Zatoichi, a blind masseur and master swordsman, in a series of 26 films and a television show. He also starred in other popular film series such as Akumyo and Hoodlum Soldier. He was the son of a kabuki performer and a nagauta singer, and the younger brother of actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. He started his career as a shamisen player, but switched to acting after joining the Daiei Movie Company in 1954. He married actress Tamao Nakamura in 1962, and they had a son, Ryutaro Gan, who also became an actor. In 1967, Katsu formed his own company, Katsu Productions, and produced many of his own films. He also directed some of his films, including the final Zatoichi film in 1989. Katsu had a troubled personal life, as he struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction. He also had a reputation as a troublemaker on set, and clashed with director Akira Kurosawa when he was cast for the lead role in Kagemusha, resulting in his dismissal. He died of pharyngeal cancer in 1997, at the age of 65. He was buried at Renjoji-temple in Tokyo. Katsu is widely regarded as one of the most influential and charismatic actors in Japanese cinema history, and his portrayal of Zatoichi has inspired many other films and characters in Japan and abroad.