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Kei Satō

Acting Born Dec 21, 1928 Died May 2, 2010 Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan 214 credits
214
Total Credits
1959–2009
51 Years Career Span
42
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

Kei Sato was a Japanese character actor and narrator born on December 21, 1928, in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan. He passed away on May 2, 2010, at the age of 81. Known for his work with Japanese New Wave director Nagisa Oshima and several films with Kaneto Shindo, such as Onibaba and Kuroneko, Sato built an extensive career with 214 known acting credits. He won the best actor award from Kinema Junpo for his performances in the films The Ceremony and Nihon no akuryo. In addition to his film acting, Sato worked as a narrator for numerous television and film documentaries throughout his career.

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Career

Career overview

Kei Satō was a Japanese character actor and narrator born in Aizuwakamatsu on December 21, 1928, and passed away on May 2, 2010. Throughout a career that accumulated 214 known credits in the acting field, he became recognized for his collaborations with Japanese New Wave director Nagisa Oshima. He also worked on several films with Kaneto Shindo, including the titles Onibaba and Kuroneko.

In addition to his narrative film work, Satō worked as a narrator for numerous documentaries across both television and film. His performances earned critical recognition, including a best actor award from Kinema Junpo for his work in the films The Ceremony and Nihon no akuryō.

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Known for

Baby Deer

as Father Togawa
Film

Azumi

as Tenkai Nankôbô

Honmamon

as Sadamichi Yamanaka (Konoha's grandfather)

Aoi: Tokugawa Three Generations

as Mashita Nagamori
Film

The Perfect Education

as Lawyer
Film

Taboo

as Narrator (voice)
Film

The Wicked Reporter 2: The Rebirth of Horserace Betting

1994

Jūkyūsai

1989
Film

I Want To Live Once More: Shinjuku Bus Fire Incident

as Nakajima
Film

Godzilla 1985

as Gondo
Film

The Return of Godzilla

as Chief Editor Gondo
Film

Halali oder Der Schuß ins Brötchen

1995

Frequent co-stars

Rokkō Toura 6 shared titles
Fumio Watanabe 6 shared titles
Hōsei Komatsu 5 shared titles
Taiji Tonoyama 5 shared titles
Jun Hamamura 5 shared titles
Akiko Koyama 4 shared titles
Shima Iwashita 4 shared titles
Tatsuya Nakadai 4 shared titles
Taketoshi Naitō 4 shared titles
Eitarō Ozawa 4 shared titles

Career timeline

Kaiji: The Ultimate GamblerDear My Love
The Whispering of the Gods
稲垣吾郎の金田一耕助シリーズPrayer Beads
Azumi藤田宜永サスペンス「異端の夏」
Sensen fukoku
Honmamon
Aoi: Tokugawa Three Generations
The Perfect EducationNeo FaustTaboo
Magnitude: Bridge to Tomorrow
Concerto
Asian Blue: Ukishima-maru IncidentWave in MindLast Friends
The Wicked Reporter 2: The Rebirth of Horserace Betting
Bored Hatamoto: Letter of DeathBored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy
The Strange Tale of OyukiErotic LiaisonsThe Visas That Saved LivesDioxin from Fish!Kachô Shima Kôsaku
Akizakura - Cosmos
GraduationRonin-gaiThe Fir Tree RemainsShingo's Ten DuelsDetective Heiji
JūkyūsaiBusiness TripFestival of Dreams
Green RequiemSakurako wa warau: Last emperor ni shikakerareta ayashii onna no wanaI Love You So MuchThe Notorious Bored SamuraiNezumi Kozo's Edo Adventure
ChotchanTabaruzakaThe Hopi ProphecyThe Man Who Assassinated Ryoma
Rice CurryYakuza LadiesByakkotaiSurgical Designs in Flames
I Want To Live Once More: Shinjuku Bus Fire IncidentGodzilla 1985The Autumn in TokyoKokugo GannenLet Him Rest in Peace
The Return of GodzillaAppassionata水曜ドラマスペシャル
The Mosquito on the Tenth FloorTokyo TrialChoji Snack BarThe Crimes of Kiyoshi Ōkubo
Nemuri Kyoshiro
Pro HunterPrecious MomentsDay DreamStationThe Imperial Navy
The Night of Martial LawThe Trading CompanyThe Beast to DieThe RevoltTarget
Kusa MoeruGolden PartnersThe Man Who Stole the SunYasei no ShōmeiThe Resurrection of the Golden Wolf
Empire of PassionNingen no ShōmeiJapanese Godfather: ConclusionThe Killing GameLost Love
High Seas HijackJapanese Godfather: AmbitionThe Skies of HaruoJapanese Humanity and JusticeThey Were Eleven
Yakuza Graveyard

Full Filmography

214 titles
  • Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009) as Kazutaka Hyodo
  • Dear My Love (2009)
  • The Whispering of the Gods (2005) as Father Togawa
  • 稲垣吾郎の金田一耕助シリーズ (2004) as Sabee Inugami
  • Prayer Beads (2004)
  • Azumi (2003) as Tenkai Nankôbô
  • 藤田宜永サスペンス「異端の夏」 (2003)
  • Sensen fukoku (2002)
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  • Honmamon (2001) as Sadamichi Yamanaka (Konoha's grandfather)
  • Aoi: Tokugawa Three Generations (2000) as Mashita Nagamori
  • The Perfect Education (1999) as Lawyer
  • Neo Faust (1999) as Dr. Faust
  • Taboo (1999) as Narrator (voice)
  • Magnitude: Bridge to Tomorrow (1997)
  • Concerto (1996)
  • Asian Blue: Ukishima-maru Incident (1995)
  • Wave in Mind (1995)
  • Last Friends (1995)
  • The Wicked Reporter 2: The Rebirth of Horserace Betting (1994)
  • Bored Hatamoto: Letter of Death (1993)
  • Bored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy (1993)
  • The Strange Tale of Oyuki (1992) as Detective
  • Erotic Liaisons (1992) as Nemoto
  • The Visas That Saved Lives (1992)
  • Dioxin from Fish! (1992) as Genjiro
  • Kachô Shima Kôsaku (1992)
  • Akizakura - Cosmos (1991)
  • Graduation (1990)
  • Ronin-gai (1990) as Iseya
  • The Fir Tree Remains (1990)
  • Shingo's Ten Duels (1990) as Inoue Kawachi-no-kami
  • Detective Heiji (1990)
  • Jūkyūsai (1989)
  • Business Trip (1989) as (voice)
  • Festival of Dreams (1989)
  • Green Requiem (1988)
  • Sakurako wa warau: Last emperor ni shikakerareta ayashii onna no wana (1988)
  • I Love You So Much (1988)
  • The Notorious Bored Samurai (1988)
  • Nezumi Kozo's Edo Adventure (1988)
  • Chotchan (1987) as 北山俊道
  • Tabaruzaka (1987) as Iwakura Tomomi
  • The Hopi Prophecy (1987) as Narrator (voice)
  • The Man Who Assassinated Ryoma (1987)
  • Rice Curry (1986)
  • Yakuza Ladies (1986) as Hitoshi Awazu
  • Byakkotai (1986) as Tanaka Tosa
  • Surgical Designs in Flames (1986)
  • I Want To Live Once More: Shinjuku Bus Fire Incident (1985) as Nakajima
  • Godzilla 1985 (1985) as Gondo
  • The Autumn in Tokyo (1985)
  • Kokugo Gannen (1985)
  • Let Him Rest in Peace (1985) as Futoshi Shimoyama
  • The Return of Godzilla (1984) as Chief Editor Gondo
  • Appassionata (1984)
  • 水曜ドラマスペシャル (1984)
  • The Mosquito on the Tenth Floor (1983) as Police Chief
  • Tokyo Trial (1983) as Narrator
  • Choji Snack Bar (1983) as Yoshino
  • The Crimes of Kiyoshi Ōkubo (1983) as Police Inspector
  • Nemuri Kyoshiro (1982)
  • Pro Hunter (1981)
  • Precious Moments (1981)
  • Day Dream (1981) as Dentist
  • Station (1981)
  • The Imperial Navy (1981)
  • The Night of Martial Law (1980)
  • The Trading Company (1980) as Shigeru Yasuda
  • The Beast to Die (1980) as Endo
  • The Revolt (1980) as Narrator (voice)
  • Target (1980) as Ichiro Hamada
  • Kusa Moeru (1979) as Hiki Yoshikazu
  • Golden Partners (1979) as Ohkawa
  • The Man Who Stole the Sun (1979) as Dr. Ichikawa
  • Yasei no Shōmei (1979)
  • The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf (1979) as Shimizu
  • Dead Angle (1979)
  • Super Gun Lady: Police Branch 82 (1979) as Gorô Onodera , Military Commentator
  • The Execution Game (1979)
  • Empire of Passion (1978) as Orator
  • Ningen no Shōmei (1978)
  • Japanese Godfather: Conclusion (1978) as Sekino
  • The Killing Game (1978) as Shoichi Katsuda
  • Lost Love (1978) as Nogami
  • High Seas Hijack (1977) as T.V. Director Fukami
  • Japanese Godfather: Ambition (1977) as Sekino
  • The Skies of Haruo (1977)
  • Japanese Humanity and Justice (1977)
  • They Were Eleven (1977)
  • Yakuza Graveyard (1976) as Teramitsu Abara
  • Conflagration (1975) as Director Fukami
  • 松本清張シリーズ・中央流沙 (1975) as 岡村局長
  • Shimane Prison Riot (1975) as Prison Guard
  • Fateful Mountain Pass (1974) as Asahina Genzaemon
  • The Tattooed Hitman (1974) as Yukio Yamaji
  • Demon Spies (1974)
  • My Way (1974) as Koide, Chief of Police
  • Lone Wolf and Cub (1973) as Retsudo Yagyu
  • The Water Margin (1973) as Kao Chiu
  • Professional Killers – Assassin's Quarry (1973) as tyobei(Izuya)
  • Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973) as Magistrate
  • Hanzo the Razor: The Snare (1973) as Shobei Hamajima
  • Secret High School Girl: After School Activity (1973)
  • A Japanese Demon (1973) as Psychiartist
  • Flower and Dragon (1973)
  • A Diary of a Woman Doctor (1973)
  • Professional Killers (1972)
  • Chase That Man (1972)
  • Dear Summer Sister (1972) as Shinkô Kuniyoshi
  • Gang Warfare (1972)
  • Cross-Currents (1972)
  • The Ceremony (1971) as Sakurada Kazuomi, Grandfather
  • Inn of Evil (1971) as Yohei
  • Challenge at Dawn (1971)
  • Expelled from the Kanto Mob (1971)
  • Evil Spirits of Japan (1970) as Murase / Ochiai
  • Naked Ambition (1970)
  • Live Today, Die Tomorrow! (1970)
  • Diary of a Shinjuku Thief (1969) as Himself
  • Devil's Temple (1969) as Priest
  • The Curse of the Ghost (1969) as Iyemon
  • Bullet Wound (1969)
  • Lone Rebel (1969)
  • Death by Hanging (1968) as Prison warden
  • Star of the Night (1968)
  • Kuroneko (1968) as Raiko
  • Outlaw: Goro the Assassin (1968)
  • Three Resurrected Drunkards (1968) as Y Chong - iru
  • Where did Sharaku go? (1968) as Tōshūsai Sharaku
  • Women and Miso Soup (1968)
  • Song of my Life (1968) as Masanobu Kurosawa
  • Hymn to a Tired Man (1968) as Takenori Suzuki
  • The Great Villains (1968) as Ichiro Yasui
  • The River - Poem of Wrath (1967) as Doctor
  • Eleven Samurai (1967) as Secretary Mizumo
  • A Killer's Key (1967)
  • Japanese Summer: Double Suicide (1967) as Otoko
  • Band of Ninja (1967) as Sakagami Shuzen
  • Clouds at Sunset (1967)
  • Captive's Island (1966)
  • Irezumi (1966) as Hatamoto Serizawa
  • The Sword of Doom (1966) as Kamo Serizawa
  • Zatoichi's Vengeance (1966) as Boss Gonzo
  • Violence at Noon (1966) as Eisuke Oyamada
  • Glorious Fights (1966) as Yuzo Gondo
  • Your Life (1966)
  • A Man Worth the Money (1966)
  • Flower and Dragon: Duel of the Sea Caves (1966)
  • Assignment Cloud (1966) as Nishida
  • Taikouki (1965) as Akechi Mitsuhide
  • Kwaidan (1965) as Ghost Samurai (segment "In a Cup of Tea")
  • Sword Devil (1965) as Secretery Kanbe
  • Samurai Spy (1965) as Takanosuke Nojiri
  • Pleasures of the Flesh (1965) as Police inspector
  • Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu (1965)
  • The Flower and the Dragon (1965)
  • Cold Rice, Osan, Chan (1965)
  • The Tattooed Lord (1965)
  • Young Boss (1965) as Izo
  • Bad Reputation: The Two Notorious Men Strike Again (1965)
  • The Third Ninja (1964)
  • Onibaba (1964) as Hachi
  • The Ninja Hunt (1964)
  • Roadside Stone (1964) as Shogo
  • A Story from Echigo (1964)
  • The Dawn of Asia (1964) as Li Lie-jun
  • Onibaba : Film Location (1964)
  • Onibaba : Film Location (1964) Director
  • Miyamoto Musashi IV: The Duel at Ichijo-ji Temple (1964) as Otaguro
  • Brand of Evil (1964) as Eguchi
  • Homicide (1964) as Asaichi Isobe
  • Life of Hishakaku 3 (1964)
  • Group Burglars Break the Magistrate's Office (1964) as Kinjiro Takeuchi
  • Young Master Yakuza: Edoite Goblin (1963)
  • Mother (1963) as Dr. Koiguchi
  • Violent Street (1963)
  • Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai (1963) as Saburobei Konoe
  • League of Gangsters (1963) as Takamoto
  • Duel of Blood and Sand (1963) as Katsumaki
  • Sasuke and His Comedians (1963)
  • At the Side of the Bridge 4 (1963)
  • Blackmail (1963)
  • The Yagyu Military Art: Yagyu List (1963)
  • Yagyu Military Art: Jubei's Redemption (1963)
  • Okashina yatsu (1963) as Shamoji
  • Bloody Record of the Shinsengumi (1963)
  • Harakiri (1962) as Masakazu
  • Drunkard's Paradise (1962)
  • The Christian Revolt (1962)
  • Human (1962) as Hachizo
  • Pitfall (1962) as Reporter
  • The Inheritance (1962) as Cop
  • Tokyo Bay (1962) as Takeyama
  • Case of a Young Lord 10: The Mystery of the Spider Lady (1962)
  • The Paper Crane (1962)
  • Kyoto Assassin (1962)
  • The Yagyu Military Art: One Eyed Swordsman (1962)
  • Zoku aizen katsura (1962)
  • Epitaph to My Love (1961) as Shinji Tsuda
  • Procurer of Hell (1961)
  • Onna no hashi (1961) as Kazuhiko Yamana
  • Bitter End of a Sweet Night (1961)
  • Shiroi minamikaze (1961)
  • Women of Tokyo (1961) as Tamio Yamada
  • Incidental Murders (1961) as Ieraishan Tatsu
  • Cruel Story of Youth (1960) as Akira Matsuko
  • The Sun's Burial (1960) as Sakaguchi
  • Night and Fog in Japan (1960) as Sakamaki
  • Volunteering for Villainy (1960) as Iwai
  • Good-for-Nothing (1960)
  • The Last Trump Card (1960)
  • Towering Waves (1960)
  • Knock Down (1960)
  • The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959) as Shinjô Ittôhei

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Kei Satō best known for?

Kei Satō is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Baby Deer (1981), Azumi (2003), Honmamon (2001), Aoi: Tokugawa Three Generations (2000).

When and where was Kei Satō born?

Kei Satō was born on December 21, 1928 in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan. They passed away on May 2, 2010.

How many credits does Kei Satō have?

Kei Satō has accumulated over 214 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1959 to 2009.

What is Kei Satō's background in cinema and television?

Kei Sato was a Japanese character actor and narrator born on December 21, 1928, in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan. He passed away on May 2, 2010, at the age of 81. Known for his work with Japanese New Wave director Nagisa Oshima and several films with Kaneto Shindo, such as Onibaba and Kuroneko, Sato built an extensiv...

Kei Satō by the numbers

214credits
183films
31TV series
1959–2009active years

Age in their best-rated roles

Full filmography (214) Born on December 21 In memoriam 2010

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