archytele The Vault

Takashi Shimura

Acting Born Mar 12, 1905 Died Feb 11, 1982 Ikuno, Hyogo, Japan 297 credits

Biography

Takashi Shimura was a Japanese actor born on March 12, 1905, in Ikuno, Hyogo, Japan. He appeared in over 200 films between 1934 and 1981. Shimura worked with Akira Kurosawa on 21 of his 30 films, including Drunken Angel, Rashomon, Ikiru, and Seven Samurai. He also played a role in Ishirō Honda's original Godzilla and its first sequel, Godzilla Raids Again. For his contributions to the arts, Shimura received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1974 and the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1982.

Advertisement
Career

Career overview

Takashi Shimura was a Japanese actor who appeared in numerous films between 1934 and 1981. He had a prolific career, with over 200 film appearances. His work spanned multiple genres, and he is perhaps best known for his collaborations with renowned director Akira Kurosawa.

Shimura appeared in 21 of Kurosawa's 30 films, including several notable roles. He played a lead actor in Drunken Angel, Rashomon, Ikiru, and Seven Samurai. These films showcased his range and versatility as an actor. His performances in these films have been widely recognized and remain significant contributions to Japanese cinema.

In addition to his work with Kurosawa, Shimura also appeared in Ishirō Honda's original Godzilla and its first sequel, Godzilla Raids Again. His contributions to the arts were recognized by the Japanese government, which awarded him the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1974 and the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1982. Throughout his career, Shimura demonstrated a commitment to his craft, appearing in a wide range of films and earning recognition for his performances.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Takashi Shimura.

Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Ikiru'
Fifth MovementThe Last Days of Planet Earth
KagemushaThe RevoltA-UnAn Ocean to Cross
Strait of RosesLove and FaithTalk of the Town Tora-san
KashinGodzillaFuyu no Undokai
Akai UnmeiHuman Revolution IIThe Roads Men TravelNinjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi
The Bullet TrainHadashi no seishun
Prophecies of NostradamusThe Tattooed HitmanThe Maizuru Showdown between The Yakuza Brothers
Zatoichi's ConspiracyKigeki: koko kara hajimaru monogatari
A Yakuza Has His Way愛と愛
Wicked Priest 5: Breaking The CommandmentsTora-san's Love CallPatience Has An EndThe Earth is Born Again
Women of Osaka CastleThe MilitaristsHouse of Gamblers
Heaven and EarthThe Magoichi SagaTora-san, Our Lovable TrampNew Prison Walls of Abashiri 2Brutal Tales of Chivalry 5: Man With The Karajishi Tattoo
Zatoichi and the FugitivesThe Day the Sun RoseThe Bride from HadesThe Sands of KurobeNew Prison Walls of Abashiri
Three SistersKing of the GangJapan's Longest DayThe Chivalrous LifeWhen the Cookie Crumbles
Greatest Boss of the Showa EraNight in BangkokThe Harbor of No ReturnNo Greater LoveA Circus Girl
Red BeardSamurai AssassinKwaidanExpelled from the Kanto MobThe Retreat from Kiska
Akō RōshiGhidorah, the Three-Headed MonsterFright TimeBlood and DiamondsLife of Hishakaku 3
High and LowAttack SquadronThe Revenge and the DeathSamurai PirateDokuritsu bijin-tai
Lion Festival of EchigoSanjuroGorathChûshinguraFūryū onsen bantō nikki
YojimboMothraDaredevil in the CastleThe Masterless 47 – Part IISnow in the South Seas
Life of a Country DoctorThe Bad Sleep WellThe Masterless 47The Storm of the PacificThe Lovelorn Geisha
Saga of the VagabondsThe Prickly Mouthed GeishaThe Three TreasuresThe Silent MurderA Whistle in My Heart
The Hidden FortressThe Sword KnowsThe Bride In Uguisu CastlePoints and LinesThe Loyal 47 Ronin
Hadaka no MachiThrone of BloodForgotten Flower Petal: ConclusionUntamed WomanEvening Calm
I Saw the KillerScoundrelYoung TreeGodzilla, King of the Monsters!Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
I Live in FearTo Love and ForgiveGodzilla Raids AgainA Daughter's Life GuideNo Time for Tears
Seven SamuraiGodzillaNew Tengu Kurama: Tengu AppearsLove ExpressForever Be Mine
The Last EmbraceThe End of the NightThe Eagle of the PacificEscape Zone
IkiruBeauty and the ThiefFoghornThe Man Who Came to PortToki no teizo: Sōshūban

Full filmography

  • Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'Ikiru' (2002) as Self
  • Fifth Movement (1981)
  • The Last Days of Planet Earth (1981) as Hospital Director
  • Kagemusha (1980) as Taguchi Gyobu
  • The Revolt (1980)
  • A-Un (1980)
  • An Ocean to Cross (1980) as Ryuuson
  • Strait of Roses (1978)
  • Love and Faith (1978) as Sen Rikyu
  • Talk of the Town Tora-san (1978) as Hiroshi's Father
  • Kashin (1977) as Chikuin
  • Godzilla (1977) as Dr. Yamane
  • Fuyu no Undokai (1977)
  • Akai Unmei (1976)
  • Human Revolution II (1976)
  • The Roads Men Travel (1976) as Motoki
  • Ninjutsu: Sasuke Saruhi (1976)
  • The Bullet Train (1975) as JNR President
  • Hadashi no seishun (1975)
  • Prophecies of Nostradamus (1974) as Pediatrician
  • The Tattooed Hitman (1974) as Bukichi Oura
  • The Maizuru Showdown between The Yakuza Brothers (1974)
  • Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973) as Sakubei
  • Kigeki: koko kara hajimaru monogatari (1973)
  • A Yakuza Has His Way (1972)
  • 愛と愛 (1972)
  • Wicked Priest 5: Breaking The Commandments (1971)
  • Tora-san's Love Call (1971) as Hiroshi's father
  • Patience Has An End (1971)
  • The Earth is Born Again (1971) as Gondo
  • Women of Osaka Castle (1970)
  • The Militarists (1970) as Takeda
  • House of Gamblers (1970)
  • Heaven and Earth (1969) as Nagao Fusakage
  • The Magoichi Saga (1969) as Magoichi's father
  • Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp (1969) as Hyôichirô Suwa
  • New Prison Walls of Abashiri 2 (1969)
  • Brutal Tales of Chivalry 5: Man With The Karajishi Tattoo (1969)
  • Samurai Banners (1969) as Obu Toramasa
  • A Modern Yakuza: The Code of the Lawless (1969)
  • Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers (1969)
  • Kanto Woman Infamy (1969)
  • Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968) as Dr. Junan
  • The Day the Sun Rose (1968)
  • The Bride from Hades (1968) as Fortune Teller
  • The Sands of Kurobe (1968) as Ashimura
  • New Prison Walls of Abashiri (1968)
  • Slave Factory (1968)
  • Woman Gambler and the Nun (1968)
  • The Drifting Avenger (1968) as Ken's Father
  • The Woman Champion (1968)
  • Human Torpedoes (1968)
  • Industrial Spy (1968) as Taizo Matsui
  • Three Sisters (1967) as Misawa Heizaemon [Kingoro's father]
  • King of the Gang (1967)
  • Japan's Longest Day (1967) as Information Bureau Director Hiroshi Shimomura
  • The Chivalrous Life (1967) as Sakamoto
  • When the Cookie Crumbles (1967)
  • Underworld series - Pardon My Violent Ways (1967)
  • Greatest Boss of the Showa Era (1966)
  • Night in Bangkok (1966)
  • The Harbor of No Return (1966) as Detective Egusa
  • No Greater Love (1966)
  • A Circus Girl (1966)
  • The Protector (1966)
  • Red Beard (1965) as Tokubei Izumiya
  • Samurai Assassin (1965) as Narihisa Ichijō
  • Kwaidan (1965) as Head Priest (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
  • Expelled from the Kanto Mob (1965)
  • The Retreat from Kiska (1965) as Military Command president
  • Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) as Hiroshima Army Hospital doctor
  • Three Yakuza (1965)
  • Sanshiro Sugata (1965) as Mishima
  • Snake Princess: Oshima and Sentaro (1965)
  • Hoodlum Match (1965)
  • The Soundless Cry (1965)
  • Code of Ruffians (1965)
  • Akō Rōshi (1964) as Onodera Juunai
  • Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) as Dr. Tsukamoto
  • Fright Time (1964)
  • Blood and Diamonds (1964)
  • Life of Hishakaku 3 (1964)
  • Brand of Evil (1964) as Tsukamoto
  • Vanquished Foes (1964)
  • High and Low (1963) as Chief of Investigation Section
  • Attack Squadron (1963) as Admiral
  • The Revenge and the Death (1963)
  • Samurai Pirate (1963) as King Raksha
  • Dokuritsu bijin-tai (1963) as Director of Iinuma Clinic
  • The Image of Mother (1963) as Kahei
  • Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man's Pledge (1963) as Tobei
  • The Sun is Calling You (1963)
  • Lion Festival of Echigo (1962)
  • Sanjuro (1962) as Kurofuji
  • Gorath (1962) as Kensuke Sonoda
  • Chûshingura (1962) as Hyobu Chishaka
  • Fūryū onsen bantō nikki (1962)
  • The Whale God (1962) as Village elder
  • Shimizu Port Salaryman Part II (1962)
  • Long Way to Okinawa (1962)
  • あの空の果てに星はまたたく (1962)
  • Yoru no keisha (1962)
  • The Crimson Sky (1962)
  • Yojimbo (1961) as Tokuemon, sake brewer
  • Mothra (1961) as News Editor
  • Daredevil in the Castle (1961) as Katagiri
  • The Masterless 47 – Part II (1961)
  • Snow in the South Seas (1961)
  • Restoration Fire (1961) as Yahei
  • Oniisan to oneesan (1961)
  • Challenge to Live (1961)
  • Structure of Hate (1961)
  • The Gambler's Code (1961) as Hacchônawate Tokubei
  • Different Sons (1961) as Hisamitsu Ando
  • 晴小袖 (1961)
  • Life of a Country Doctor (1960)
  • The Bad Sleep Well (1960) as Administrative Officer Moriyama
  • The Masterless 47 (1960) as Honzo Kadokawa
  • The Storm of the Pacific (1960) as Tosaku
  • The Lovelorn Geisha (1960)
  • Afraid to Die (1960) as Gohei Hirayama
  • Man Against Man (1960) as Chotaro Masue
  • Princess Sen in Edo (1960) as Sadonokami Honda
  • Master Fencer Sees the World (1960)
  • Saga of the Vagabonds (1959) as Saemon Toki
  • The Prickly Mouthed Geisha (1959) as Masagoro
  • The Three Treasures (1959) as Elder Kumaso
  • The Silent Murder (1959)
  • A Whistle in My Heart (1959)
  • Gigantis, the Fire Monster (1959) as Dr. Yamane
  • Vagabond Employee: Outcry (1959) as President Kakihara
  • Stop the Old Fox (1959) as Ryoan
  • The Aristocrat's Stairs (1959)
  • The Story of Iron Arm Inao (1959) as Kyusaku Inao
  • Vagabond Employee: Revenge (1959) as President Kakihara
  • Sazae-san's Marriage (1959)
  • The Happy Family (1959)
  • The Hidden Fortress (1958) as General Izumi Nagakura
  • The Sword Knows (1958)
  • The Bride In Uguisu Castle (1958)
  • Points and Lines (1958) as Kasai
  • The Loyal 47 Ronin (1958) as Jûbei Ôtake
  • Mother (1958) as Ijûin
  • Theater of Life (1958)
  • Shogun's Holiday (1958)
  • Fearless Opposition (1958)
  • Eight Views of Samurai (1958)
  • Man of Thirteen Eyes (1958)
  • Nichiren and the Great Mongol Invasion (1958) as Yasaburô
  • Seven from Edo (1958) as Sagamiya
  • The Black Hooded Man 5 (1958)
  • The Traveling Ruffian (1958)
  • Hadaka no Machi (1957)
  • Throne of Blood (1957) as Noriyasu Odagura
  • Forgotten Flower Petal: Conclusion (1957)
  • Untamed Woman (1957) as Owner of the rice mill
  • Evening Calm (1957)
  • The Mysterians (1957) as Dr. Tanjiro Adachi
  • A Dangerous Hero (1957)
  • Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific Ocean (1957) as Dr. Yamane
  • The Eleventh Hour (1957) as Banno
  • The Lord Takes a Bride (1957)
  • The Blue Mountains Part 2 (1957) as Jinzō Iguchi
  • The 36 Passengers (1957)
  • The Blue Mountains (1957) as Jinzō Iguchi
  • Good Luck to These Two (1957)
  • A Town with a Mountain and River (1957) as Sataro Hayakawa
  • I Saw the Killer (1956) as Nagasawa
  • Scoundrel (1956)
  • Young Tree (1956) as Hanako's Father
  • Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) as Dr. Yamane
  • Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956) as Court official
  • The Underworld (1956) as Furuya
  • Virtue in Spades (1956)
  • Three Women Around Yoshinaka (1956)
  • Eacape of Fear (1956) as Daisuke Sakuma
  • Tokyo Crime Map (1956)
  • I Live in Fear (1955) as Domestic Court Counselor Dr. Harada
  • To Love and Forgive (1955)
  • Godzilla Raids Again (1955) as Kyohei Yamane-hakase
  • A Daughter's Life Guide (1955)
  • No Time for Tears (1955) as "Sparrows" Coach Shimamura
  • No Response from Car 33 (1955)
  • Ticket to Hell (1955) as Insepctor Kasai
  • Love Never Fails (1955) as Nobuo's father
  • Muttsuri Umon's Detective Stories: The Demon Mask Mansion (1955)
  • New Tengu Kurama: Samurai in the Pouring Rain (1955) as Ensaburō Hiraoka
  • Casebook of Dandy Sashichi: Blind Wolf (1955)
  • Seven Samurai (1954) as Kambei Shimada
  • Godzilla (1954) as Kyohei Yamane
  • New Tengu Kurama: Tengu Appears (1954)
  • Love Express (1954)
  • Forever Be Mine (1954)
  • Asakusa at Night (1954) as Komazo
  • Sorcerer’s Orb (1954)
  • Last of the Wild Ones (1954)
  • Mother's First Love (1954)
  • A Geisha on Horseback (1954) as Kotaro Yamabe
  • The Last Embrace (1953) as Watanabe (Nabesan)
  • The End of the Night (1953)
  • The Eagle of the Pacific (1953) as Colonel A, staff officer of the army
  • Escape Zone (1953)
  • Ikiru (1952) as Kanji Watanabe
  • Beauty and the Thief (1952) as Yoshimichi
  • Foghorn (1952)
  • The Man Who Came to Port (1952) as Okabe
  • Toki no teizo: Sōshūban (1952)
  • Oka wa hanazakari (1952)
  • The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) as Kataoka
  • Sword for Hire (1952)
  • Vendetta of a Samurai (1952)
  • One Thousand Ryo Ship in the Wind and Clouds (1952)
  • The Skin of the South (1952) as President
  • Cordon at Midnight (1951)
  • The Idiot (1951) as Ono, Ayako's father
  • Elegy (1951)
  • The Den of Beasts (1951)
  • The Life of a Horse Trader (1951) as Rokutaro Kosaka
  • Beyond Love and Hate (1951)
  • Stolen Love (1951) as Sotaro Munekata
  • The Bitch (1951) as Wataru Horie
  • The Blue Pearl (1951) as Fujiki
  • Rashomon (1950) as Woodcutter
  • Jiruba no Tetsu (1950)
  • Crazy Uproar (1950)
  • Scandal (1950) as Attorney Hiruta
  • Town of Violence (1950) as Sagawa
  • The Angry Street (1950)
  • Devil's Gold (1950)
  • Red Peony of Night (1950)
  • Spring Snow (1950) as Kozo Yoshikawa
  • Sanshiro of Ginza (1950) as Daizo Matsubara
  • Escape from Prison (1950)
  • Ishimatsu of the Forest (1949)
  • Stray Dog (1949) as Det. Sato
  • The Quiet Duel (1949) as Dr. Konosuke Fujisaki
  • Lady From Hell (1949)
  • The Elephant Who Waited (1949)
  • A Woman's Life (1949)
  • Goblin Courier (1949)
  • A Bullet Hole Underground (1949) as Yuuzou Fujimoto
  • Hida no abarenbō (1949)
  • Three Mothers (1949)
  • Drunken Angel (1948) as Sanada
  • My Love on the Other Side of the Mountain (1948) as Seibei Kido
  • Platform at Night (1948)
  • A Second Life (1948)
  • Snow Trail (1947) as Nojiri
  • Actress (1947) as Genshirō Kuramoto
  • Chikagai nijuyojikan (1947)
  • Spring Awakens (1947) as Kenzô Ogura
  • These Foolish Times (1947)
  • Those Who Make Tomorrow (1946) as Theatre manager (uncredited)
  • No Regrets for Our Youth (1946) as Police Commissioner 'Poison Strawberry' Dokuichigo
  • Eleven High School Girls (1946)
  • Lord for a Night (1946)
  • An Enemy of the People (1946)
  • Hinoki Butai (1946)
  • Three Women of the North (1945)
  • Even Parting is Enjoyable (1945)
  • Tokkan ekichô (1945)
  • To Love and Swear (1945) as Murai's father, principle
  • Otome no iru kichi (1945)
  • The Most Beautiful (1944) as Chief Goro Ishida
  • The Way of Drama (1944)
  • Colonel Kato's Falcon Squadron (1944)
  • Nichijô no tatakai (1944)
  • Sagohei the Three-footer (1944) as Yasukichi Ito
  • Sanshiro Sugata (1943) as Hansuke Murai, Sayo's father
  • The Sculpture of Master Choji (1943) as Gamatoku
  • Navy (1943) as Takao Mutaguchi
  • Miyamoto musashi Ichijōji kettō (1942)
  • Mother and Child Grass (1942)
  • Festival Across the Sea (1941) as Oil Seller
  • Last Days of Edo (1941) as Enomoto
  • Phantom Castle (1940)
  • Oda Nobunaga (1940)
  • Maboroshijō daiichiwa Hida no uzushio (1940)
  • Zoku Shimizu Minato (1940)
  • Miyamoto Musashi - Dai-ichi-bu: Kusawake no hitobito - Dai-ni-bu: Eitatsu no mon (1940)
  • Maboroshijō dainiwa shi no senpū (1940)
  • Singing Lovebirds (1939) as Kyosai Shimura
  • Shunjû ittôryû (1939)
  • Devoted Servant Naosuke (1939) as Tsuda Echizennokami-Sukehiro
  • Kurama Tengu (1938)
  • Chushingura (1938)
  • Akagaki Genzo (1938) as Jozaemon Sakaya
  • Yaji And Kita's Traveling Diary (1938)
  • Taiko's Rising in the World (1938)
  • The Skull Coin (1938)
  • Jiraiya (1937) as Gundayû Yao
  • Blood Spilled at Takadanobaba (1937) as Takusan
  • Echo of Love (1937)
  • Osaka Elegy (1936) as Inspector
  • The Letter (1936) as Taranoshin Tsunomata
  • Chuji for Sale (1935)
  • Miyamoto Musashi: Dai-san-bu - Kenshin ichiro