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Takashi Shimura
Playing the central roles in Ikiru and Seven Samurai.
Ikiru · Seven Samurai
- Born
- 12 March 1905
- Birthplace
- Ikuno, Japan
- Died
- 11 February 1982
More people
Takashi Shimura
Takashi Shimura was a Japanese actor closely associated with Akira Kurosawa’s films. His roles ranged from the dying civil servant in Ikiru to the experienced samurai leader Kambei.
Early life
Literary interests
Wrote poetry and studied English literature.
University theatre
Joined theatre activities at Kansai University while supporting himself through municipal work.
Career
- 1928
Theatre company
Helped form the Shichigatsu-za amateur group.
- 1934
Film debut
Began a screen career after working in theatre.
- 1943
Kurosawa partnership
Appeared in Sanshiro Sugata, the director’s debut film.
Selected work
Ikiru
Played a bureaucrat seeking meaning after a terminal diagnosis.
Seven Samurai
Played Kambei, the leader of the recruited warriors.
Godzilla
Played palaeontologist Kyohei Yamane in Ishirō Honda’s film.
Beyond work
Student pursuits
Was active in rowing as well as literature during his school years.
Early employment
Worked at the Osaka municipal waterworks before committing to professional theatre.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Criterion: Ikiru ↗Photo: 朝日新聞社. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
