Shinichiro Sawai
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- August 16, 1938 in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Died
- September 3, 2021
- Active Years
- 1970–2007 (38 Years)
- Total Credits
- 40 credits in database
Biography
Shinichiro Sawai was a Japanese film director and screenwriter born on August 16, 1938, in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. He died on September 3, 2021, at the age of 83. Sawai began his professional career at Toei in 1961 as an assistant director working under Masahiro Makino. He made his directorial debut with the 1981 film The Wild Daisy. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his ability to bridge audience-facing entertainment with disciplined craft and for guiding actors through character-centered stories. His notable filmography includes The Tragedy of W, Early Spring Story, Maison Ikkoku, Lovers’ Time, Bloom in the Moonlight, and Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea. He received the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award and the Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year.
Career overview
Shinichiro Sawai was a Japanese film director and screenwriter born on August 16, 1938, in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. He began his professional career at Toei in 1961, where he served as an assistant director working under Masahiro Makino. He eventually transitioned to directing, making his debut with the film The Wild Daisy in 1981. Throughout his career, Sawai was recognized for his disciplined craft and his ability to guide actors through character-centered stories while bridging audience-facing entertainment with his directorial work.
Sawai is best known for directing several notable films, including The Tragedy of W in 1984, Early Spring Story in 1985, Maison Ikkoku in 1986, Lovers’ Time in 1987, Bloom in the Moonlight in 1993, and Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea in 2007. His contributions to the film industry earned him the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award and the Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year. Sawai held 31 known credits throughout his career. He passed away on September 3, 2021, at the age of 83.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
40 titles- Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth And Sea (2007) Director
- Seventeen (2003) Writer
- Seventeen (2003) Director
- The Story of Dan the Puppy (2002) Writer
- The Story of Dan the Puppy (2002) Director
- Diary of Early Winter Shower (1998) Director
- Diary of Early Winter Shower (1998) Screenplay
- The Secret 18th Group (1996) Director
- Juukou B-Fighter (1995) Director
- Juukou B-Fighter (1995) Series Director
- A Brief Message from the Heart (1995) Director
- A Brief Message from the Heart (1995) Screenplay
- Bloom in the Moonlight “The Story of Rentaro Taki” (1993) Screenplay
- Bloom in the Moonlight “The Story of Rentaro Taki” (1993) Director
- Fukuzawa Yukichi (1991) Director
- Memories of You (1988) Director
- Lover's Time (1987) Director
- Lover's Time (1987) Screenplay
- Maison Ikkoku - Apartment Fantasy (1986) Director
- Early Spring Story (1985) Director
- Space Sheriff Shaider (1984) Director
- Mahjong Horoki (1984) Screenplay
- W's Tragedy (1984) Director
- W's Tragedy (1984) Screenplay
- The Wild Daisy (1981) Director
- The Revolt (1980) Assistant Director
- The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978) Dialogue Coach
- Truckster of Guts (1977) Screenplay
- Truckster Goes to Hokkaido (1976) Screenplay
- Truckster Goes to Hokkaido (1976) Assistant Director
- The Wild Trucker (1975) Screenplay
- Truck Rascals: No One Can Stop Me (1975) Writer
- 青春トルコ日記 処女すべり (1975) Assistant Director
- Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs (1974) Assistant Director
- Military Comfort Woman (1974) Assistant Director
- Big Bad Wolf (1973) Assistant Director
- Love Lost in Tears (1973) Assistant Director
- Patience Has An End (1971) Screenplay
- A Hoodlum At The Risk Of His Life (1970) Screenplay
- Brutal Tales of Chivalry 7: Hell Is a Man's Destiny (1970) Assistant Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Shinichiro Sawai best known for?
Shinichiro Sawai is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Story of Dan the Puppy (2002), The Story of Dan the Puppy (2002), Juukou B-Fighter (1995), Juukou B-Fighter (1995).
When and where was Shinichiro Sawai born?
Shinichiro Sawai was born on August 16, 1938 in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. They passed away on September 3, 2021.
How many credits does Shinichiro Sawai have?
Shinichiro Sawai has accumulated over 40 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1970 to 2007.
What is Shinichiro Sawai's background in cinema and television?
Shinichiro Sawai was a Japanese film director and screenwriter born on August 16, 1938, in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. He died on September 3, 2021, at the age of 83. Sawai began his professional career at Toei in 1961 as an assistant director working under Masahiro Makino. He made his directorial debut with the 1981 f...
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