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Chishū Ryū

Acting Born May 13, 1904 Died Mar 16, 1993 Tachibana, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan 302 credits

Biography

Chishū Ryū was a Japanese film actor. He was born on May 13, 1904, in Kumamoto, Japan. Ryū appeared in at least 155 films from 1928 to 1992. He was a favourite of director Yasujiro Ozu and appeared in Ozu's Tokyo Story. Ryū also appeared in Yoshitaro Nomura's Castle of Sand and the Tora-san movie series, where he played a Buddhist priest. He made a cameo appearance in Juzo Itami's 1984 comedy, The Funeral. Ryū died on March 16, 1993, in Yokohama, Japan.

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Career

Career overview

Chishū Ryū was a Japanese film actor who appeared in numerous films throughout his career. He began acting in 1928 and continued to work in the film industry until 1992, with a total of at least 155 film appearances. Ryū's work spanned multiple decades and included collaborations with notable directors such as Yasujiro Ozu and Yoshitaro Nomura.

One of Ryū's most notable roles was in Yasujiro Ozu's 1953 film Tokyo Story. He also appeared in Yoshitaro Nomura's 1974 film Castle of Sand. In addition to his work with these directors, Ryū became a familiar figure to a new generation of audiences through his portrayal of a Buddhist priest in Yoji Yamada's Tora-san movie series, which he played from 1969 until his death.

Ryū's extensive filmography and long career demonstrate his enduring presence in Japanese cinema. His work with various directors and in different roles showcases his versatility as an actor. Throughout his career, Ryū appeared in at least 155 films, leaving a lasting impact on the Japanese film industry.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Tora-san's Tropical Fever Special Version
Luminous MossTora-san Makes Excuses
Until the End of the WorldTora-san Confesses
DreamsMaking of 'Dreams'Tora-san Takes a VacationWim Wenders in Tokyo
Tora-san Goes to ViennaUntil Spring ComesTora-san, My Uncle
Tora-san's Salad-Day MemorialChishu Ryu and Shochiku's Ofuna StudioA Taxing Woman's Return
Tora-san Goes NorthCarefree GoddessesTora-san Plays DaddyAn Early AutumnCrybaby Chacha
Final Take: The Golden Age of MoviesTora-san's Bluebird FantasyThe Greatest Man in the World
Mishima: A Life in Four ChaptersTokyo-GaAnd ThenAnd ThenTora-san's Island Encounter
Tora-san's Forbidden LoveThe FuneralMarriage Counselor Tora-sanGubijinsô: Maboroshi no ai ni hateta murasaki no onna!
Lanterns on Blue WatersTora-san Goes Religious?Tora-san's Song of LoveI Lived, But...Kita no kuni kara '83 Fuyu
Hearts and Flowers for Tora-sanTora-san, the ExpertThe Longest TunnelWhen We are Old
Tora-san's PromiseTora-san's Love in Osaka
Foster Daddy, Tora!Zoku zoku jikenA-UnTora-san's Tropical Fever
Tokyo SuburbiaTora-san's Dream of SpringTora-san, the Matchmaker
HaguregumoTalk of the Town Tora-sanMonument to Holy ServiceStage-Struck Tora-san
Tora-san Meets His LordshipTora-san Plays Cupid
Hi no kuni niThe Roads Men TravelTora-san's Sunrise and SunsetTora-san's Pure LoveOretachi no toki
Tora-san Meets the Songstress AgainTora-san, the IntellectualKyukei no Koya
Tora-san's LullabyThe Castle of SandNagare no Fu Part I: Disturbance, Part II: DawnTora-san's LovesickMachi no Hi
Kigeki: Otoko no nakidokoroTora-san's Forget Me NotTora-san Loves an ArtistFlower and DragonMiyamoto Musashi
Tora-san's Dream-Come-TrueTora-san's Dear Old HomeHome from the Sea
Tora-san's Shattered RomanceTora-san's Love CallTora-san, the Good SamaritanOtoko Ippiki Gaki Daishoおれは男だ!
Tora-san's Grand SchemeWhere Spring Comes LateTora-san's RunawayTora-san, His Tender LoveThe Last Kamikaze
Through Days and MonthsTora-san's Cherished MotherThe Lonely ScalpelBattle of the Japan SeaTora-san, Our Lovable Tramp
Scrap CollectorsThe Human Bullet
Japan's Longest DayThe Black SheepTraveling in Party
Come Marry MeWarm CurrentOhana han: Dai ni buOyuki
TamayuraRed BeardThe Radish and the CarrotThe Four LovesThe Soundless Cry
Let's Dance Bon-Odori in HawaiiI'm a BodyguardDislikesMonrō no yōna onnaGazing at Love and Death

Full filmography

  • Tora-san's Tropical Fever Special Version (1997) as High Priest
  • Luminous Moss (1992) as Judge
  • Tora-san Makes Excuses (1992) as High Priest
  • Until the End of the World (1991) as Mr. Mori
  • Tora-san Confesses (1991) as High Priest
  • Dreams (1990) as Old Man
  • Making of 'Dreams' (1990) as Self
  • Tora-san Takes a Vacation (1990) as High Priest
  • Wim Wenders in Tokyo (1990) as Self
  • Tora-san Goes to Vienna (1989) as the High Priest
  • Until Spring Comes (1989)
  • Tora-san, My Uncle (1989) as Gozen-sama
  • Tora-san's Salad-Day Memorial (1988) as Gozen-sama
  • Chishu Ryu and Shochiku's Ofuna Studio (1988) as Self
  • A Taxing Woman's Return (1988) as Former Priest
  • Tora-san Goes North (1987) as the High Priest
  • Carefree Goddesses (1987)
  • Tora-san Plays Daddy (1987) as the High Priest
  • An Early Autumn (1987)
  • Crybaby Chacha (1987)
  • Final Take: The Golden Age of Movies (1986)
  • Tora-san's Bluebird Fantasy (1986) as the High Priest
  • The Greatest Man in the World (1986) as Hermit
  • Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) as Tayama Dosen
  • Tokyo-Ga (1985) as Self
  • And Then (1985) as Toku Nagai
  • And Then (1985)
  • Tora-san's Island Encounter (1985) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san, the Go-Between (1985) as the High Priest
  • When Winter Comes (1985)
  • Tora-san's Forbidden Love (1984) as the High Priest
  • The Funeral (1984) as The Priest
  • Marriage Counselor Tora-san (1984) as the High Priest
  • Gubijinsô: Maboroshi no ai ni hateta murasaki no onna! (1984)
  • Lanterns on Blue Waters (1983)
  • Tora-san Goes Religious? (1983) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san's Song of Love (1983) as the High Priest
  • I Lived, But... (1983) as Self
  • Kita no kuni kara '83 Fuyu (1983)
  • Hearts and Flowers for Tora-san (1982) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san, the Expert (1982) as Gozen-sama
  • The Longest Tunnel (1982) as Saiji Akutsu
  • When We are Old (1982)
  • Tora-san's Promise (1981) as Gozen-sama
  • Tora-san's Love in Osaka (1981) as Gozen-sama
  • Foster Daddy, Tora! (1980) as Gozen-sama
  • Zoku zoku jiken (1980)
  • A-Un (1980)
  • Tora-san's Tropical Fever (1980) as Priest
  • Tokyo Suburbia (1979)
  • Tora-san's Dream of Spring (1979)
  • Tora-san, the Matchmaker (1979) as Gozen-sama
  • Haguregumo (1978)
  • Talk of the Town Tora-san (1978) as Gozen-sama
  • Monument to Holy Service (1978)
  • Stage-Struck Tora-san (1978) as Gozen-sama
  • Tora-san Meets His Lordship (1977) as Gozensama
  • Tora-san Plays Cupid (1977) as Priest
  • Hi no kuni ni (1976) as 造園主・吉野公平
  • The Roads Men Travel (1976) as Kadomae
  • Tora-san's Sunrise and Sunset (1976) as Priest
  • Tora-san's Pure Love (1976) as Gozen-sama
  • Oretachi no toki (1976)
  • Tora-san Meets the Songstress Again (1975) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san, the Intellectual (1975) as Gozen-sama
  • Kyukei no Koya (1975)
  • Tora-san's Lullaby (1974) as Gozen-sama
  • The Castle of Sand (1974) as Kojuro Kirihara
  • Nagare no Fu Part I: Disturbance, Part II: Dawn (1974)
  • Tora-san's Lovesick (1974) as Gozen-sama
  • Machi no Hi (1974) as Takushoku
  • Kigeki: Otoko no nakidokoro (1973) as 巨匠
  • Tora-san's Forget Me Not (1973) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san Loves an Artist (1973)
  • Flower and Dragon (1973)
  • Miyamoto Musashi (1973) as Takuan
  • Tora-san's Dream-Come-True (1972) as The High Priest
  • Tora-san's Dear Old Home (1972) as the High Priest
  • Home from the Sea (1972) as Ishizaki Senzo
  • Tora-san's Shattered Romance (1971) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san's Love Call (1971) as the High Priest
  • Tora-san, the Good Samaritan (1971) as the High Priest
  • Otoko Ippiki Gaki Daisho (1971)
  • おれは男だ! (1971) as 小林源之助
  • Tora-san's Grand Scheme (1970) as Priest
  • Where Spring Comes Late (1970) as Genzo, So's father
  • Tora-san's Runaway (1970) as High Priest
  • Tora-san, His Tender Love (1970) as High Priest
  • The Last Kamikaze (1970)
  • High-School Outcasts (1970) as Instructor Takeyama
  • Through Days and Months (1969)
  • Tora-san's Cherished Mother (1969) as Gozensama
  • The Lonely Scalpel (1969)
  • Battle of the Japan Sea (1969) as General Maresuke Nogi
  • Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp (1969) as Gozen-sama
  • Fight for the Glory (1969)
  • Scrap Collectors (1968)
  • The Human Bullet (1968) as Bookstore Owner
  • Japan's Longest Day (1967) as Prime Minister Baron Kantaro Suzuki
  • The Black Sheep (1967)
  • Traveling in Party (1967)
  • Come Marry Me (1966) as Tamotsu's Grandfather
  • Warm Current (1966) as Yasuhide Shima
  • Ohana han: Dai ni bu (1966)
  • Oyuki (1966)
  • Tamayura (1965) as 直木良彦
  • Red Beard (1965) as Mr. Yasumoto
  • The Radish and the Carrot (1965)
  • The Four Loves (1965) as Heitarô Misawa
  • The Soundless Cry (1965) as Tateno
  • Let's Dance Bon-Odori in Hawaii (1964) as Gôzô Tôyama
  • I'm a Bodyguard (1964)
  • Dislikes (1964)
  • Monrō no yōna onna (1964)
  • Gazing at Love and Death (1964)
  • Blue Eyed Bride (1964) as Maruhashi Gotaro
  • A Million Girls (1963) as Atsufumi Yashiro
  • The House Where Flowers Bloom (1963)
  • A Prisoner in Search of Daughter (1963)
  • Sakiko-san chotto (1963) as 中川正一
  • Rush to Our Sweetheart (1963)
  • Tange Sazen (1963)
  • Double Wedding (1963) as Noriko's Father
  • Futari dake no toride (1963)
  • Drunkard's Paradise (1962)
  • An Autumn Afternoon (1962) as Shuhei Hirayama
  • Love Under the Crucifix (1962) as Sokei Nambo
  • Four Sisters (1962)
  • The Wiser Age (1962) as Kinjiro Ishikawa
  • Zoku aizen katsura (1962)
  • Yoru no keisha (1962)
  • Dolls floating down the river (1962) as Neighbor
  • Flower in a Storm (1962)
  • The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961) as Hinanmin no Chôrô
  • Student Executive (1961)
  • The Last War (1961) as Ebara
  • The End of Summer (1961) as Farmer
  • Bandits on the Wind (1961)
  • Shin Jinsei Gekijo (1961)
  • Door of Flowers (1961)
  • A Good Man, A Good Day (1961) as Ozeki Hitoshi
  • The Youth and His Amulet (1961)
  • Only She Knows (1960)
  • Salaryman Sampei Meijiro: A Wife's Virginal Face (1960)
  • The Bad Sleep Well (1960) as Public Prosecutor Nonaka
  • Daughters, Wives and a Mother (1960) as Old man in the park
  • Spring Dreams (1960) as Shinichirô Atsumi
  • Late Autumn (1960) as Shukichi Miwa
  • Salaryman Sampei Meijiro: Sighing Husband (1960)
  • The Wandering Princess (1960) as Kinoshita
  • Satan's Sword (1960) as Tsukue
  • Internees of Kampili (1960) as Vice-Admiral Shibata
  • Storm on the Silvery Peaks (1960) as Monk
  • Master Fencer Sees the World (1960)
  • Good Morning (1959) as Keitaro Hayashi
  • I Want to Be a Shellfish (1959) as Komiya
  • Floating Weeds (1959) as Theatre Owner
  • Farewell to Spring (1959) as Kôzô's father
  • The Snow Flurry (1959)
  • The White Road Across the River (1959)
  • A Killed Stewardess: White or Black (1959) as Detective Shiozaki
  • Love in the Mountains (1959)
  • Bridge (1959)
  • The Path Under the Platanes (1959) as Ichiro Ishimaru
  • Whirlpool of Flowers (1958)
  • Equinox Flower (1958) as Shukichi Mikami
  • The Rickshaw Man (1958) as Toyozo Yuki
  • The Eternal Rainbow (1958) as Naoji Kageyama
  • The College Hero (1958) as Professor Fujii
  • White Blaze (1958)
  • The Last Escape (1957) as Ryu Kinihide
  • Tokyo Twilight (1957) as Shukichi Sugiyama
  • The Face (1957) as Det. Hasegawa
  • Hearts A-Flutter (1957) as Shingo Wakasugi
  • Flying in the Air (1957)
  • The Crowded Train (1957) as Genroku, the father
  • The Invisible 108th Unit (1956)
  • The Wicked Boy (1956)
  • Pure Love (1956)
  • Early Spring (1956) as Kiichi Onodera
  • The Storm (1956)
  • Eyes of Children (1956)
  • The Immortal Pitcher (1955)
  • She Was Like a Wild Chrysanthemum (1955) as Masao - Age 73
  • The Moon Has Risen (1955) as Asai Mokichi
  • Salaryman Mejiro Sanpei (1955)
  • The Refugee (1955)
  • All is Well 2 (1955)
  • All is Well (1955) as Shingo Mori
  • The First Kiss (1955) as Hasegawa
  • Stray Sheep (1955) as Professor Hirota
  • Subarashiki shōtai (1955)
  • Striving to Live (1955)
  • Autumn Interlude (1954) as Michio
  • Twenty-Four Eyes (1954) as Otoko Sensei
  • 新婚たくあん夫婦 (1954) as 品川夏堂
  • Youth’s Romance Seat: Sitting on the grass (1954)
  • Always in My Heart Part 3 (1954)
  • Haru no Wakakusa (1954)
  • 慶安水滸傳 (1954) as 神尾備前守
  • Tokyo Story (1953) as Shukichi Hirayama
  • Love Letter (1953)
  • Always in My Heart Part 2 (1953)
  • Mole Alley (1953)
  • Jinsei Gekijo: dai ni bu (1953)
  • Aiyoku no sabaki (1953)
  • Always in My Heart (1953)
  • Sisters (1953)
  • Jinsei Gekijo: dai ichi bu (1952)
  • The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (1952) as Sadao Hirayama
  • Youth of the Son (1952) as Mr. Uemura
  • The Waves (1952)
  • Kare o korosu na (1952)
  • Dôkoku (1952)
  • Kyōshū (1952)
  • The Good Fairy (1951) as Ryôen Toba
  • Home Sweet Home (1951) as Kosaku Uemura
  • Early Summer (1951) as Koichi Mamiya
  • Carmen Comes Home (1951) as Principal
  • Fireworks Over the Sea (1951) as Tarobei Kamiya
  • Boyhood (1951) as Father
  • Freedom School (1951)
  • Beauty of Life (1951)
  • The Munekata Sisters (1950) as Tadachika Munekata
  • Ishimatsu of the Forest (1949)
  • Late Spring (1949) as Shukichi Somiya
  • Forgotten Children (1949)
  • Kekkon Sanjûshi (1949)
  • The Man of Rumor (1948) as 藤森甚三
  • Children Hand in Hand (1948) as Mr. Matsumura
  • A Visage to Remember (1948)
  • A Hen in the Wind (1948) as Kazuichiro Satake
  • A Woman Who Convicts Men (1948)
  • Great X (1948) as Chief of police
  • Living Image (1948)
  • The Fourth Lady (1948)
  • Record of a Tenement Gentleman (1947) as Tashiro
  • The Fellows Who Ate the Elephant (1947)
  • The Woman Who Holds the Key (1946)
  • Iki na fûraibô (1946) as Chôgorô Yamamoto
  • Saigo no joito (1945)
  • Sennichimae fukin (1945)
  • The Young Women of Izu (1945)
  • Otome no iru kichi (1945)
  • Gekimetsu no uta (1945) as 河上耕造
  • The Man Who Has Returned (1944)
  • Army (1944) as Tomosuke Takagi
  • Sailor (1944) as Teacher (uncredited)
  • Port of Flowers (1943) as Nobadama
  • Navy (1943) as Major Kikuchi
  • Our Planes Fly South (1943) as Teacher Matsuki
  • Kaisen no Zenya (1943)
  • Three Sons And Two Daughters At Home (1943)
  • Air Raid of the Enemy Plane (1943)
  • South Wind 2 (1942)
  • There Was a Father (1942) as Shuhei Horikawa
  • South Wind (1942)
  • Let's Go in Good Spirits (1941) as The Boss
  • Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family (1941) as Shojiro's Friend
  • Ornamental Hairpin (1941) as Nanmura
  • Flower (1941)
  • Introspection Tower (1941) as Mr. Kusama
  • Seisen aiba fu: Akatsuki ni inoru (1940)
  • Utsukushiki Rinjin (1940)
  • Mother is Strong (1939)
  • A Brother and His Younger Sister (1939) as Seizaburō Utsumi
  • New Woman Question and Answer (1939)
  • Spring Thunder (1939)
  • Southern Wind (1939)
  • Queen of the Wind (1938)
  • Goodbye to the Front (1937)
  • Song of the Flower Basket (1937) as Nenkai Hotta
  • The Golden Demon (1937) as Kuranosuke Kazahaya
  • A Star Athlete (1937) as Tani
  • Children in the Wind (1937) as Policeman
  • Don't Tell Your Wife About It (1937) as George
  • The Lights of Asakusa (1937) as Shin'ichi Katori
  • Moon Over the Ruins (1937) as Conductor
  • The Only Son (1936) as Okubo, Ryosuke's teacher
  • Housewife Camellia (1936)
  • The New Road: Akemi (1936)
  • College Is a Nice Place (1936) as Amano
  • Boy Aviation Pilots (1936)
  • An Inn in Tokyo (1935) as Policeman
  • A Mother Should Be Loved (1934) as Hattori
  • Street Without End (1934) as Yukihiko Chiba
  • A Story of Floating Weeds (1934) as Shouting Audience Member (uncredited)
  • Passing Fancy (1933) as Man on Boat
  • Dragnet Girl (1933) as Policeman
  • Woman of Tokyo (1933) as Reporter
  • Love (1933)
  • I Was Born, But... (1932) as Home movie projectionist
  • Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth? (1932) as Shimazaki
  • The Lady and the Beard (1931) as (uncredited)
  • I Flunked, But... (1930) as Student
  • That Night's Wife (1930) as Policeman
  • Days of Youth (1929) as Student
  • Dreams of Youth (1928)
  • Couple on the Move (1928)
  • Wife Lost (1928)
  • Physical Beauty (1928)
  • Pumpkin (1928)