299:. Bantsuma's father, a cotton wholesaler named Chōgorō, lived till the age of 71 but his mother, older brother, and sister died when he was young. He attended Jisshi Elementary School (which stands next to the former site of Denma-chō Prison where many the loyal supporters of the Emperor, whom he frequently played in his films, were deeply involved). At school, he was often the leader of the pack and was actively involved in plays. While performing in a school play, Bantsuma froze on stage, unable to recite his lines. Embarrassed, he ran off and stayed in his room, weeping for 10 days. It is said that during this time, he vowed to become someone who would be admired by all.
533:‘When creating such a film, I am not an actor, but actually am in the shoes of the character in the film, feeling what he feels, and I suffer the same agony as that character. I must play numerous characters and their diverse personalities one after another. I am no God. Sometimes I feel myself screaming inside…you cannot claim with confidence that you are speaking the mind of the character with only a half-developed understanding of that character. Being able to fully depict the character comes only after bleeding and suffering in agony in the process.’
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632:, whom Bantsuma had previously worked with, was determined to get him on board. After initially turning down the role, Bantsuma finally agreed and went on to play a role with a profound humanistic approach that lent great depth to both the character and the movie. In preparation for the role of the poor rickshaw man, Bantsuma stayed in character even whilst at home. His first son,
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film was finally released, the hype around its creation resulted in crowds flocking to theaters all around the country. Bantsuma's exhilarating new sword fighting style he displayed in the film may have attracted audiences but it cannot be denied that there were many who were also deeply touched by the profound message of the film.
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375:. Bantsuma owned most of the rights and would go through the specific scenes and details with the directors. He is said to have been very demanding but his colleagues have explained that this was merely a reflection of his eager and enthusiastic approach to making films. During this time, Bantsuma practically lived in
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was the only one he personally kept the negative for. His agency hit a low point during the period 1931–1935. During this time, his production company was very much a ‘one-man agency’, where the directors were only acting to please
Bantsuma. His acting skills gradually became old and outdated so his
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and, as
Takahiro recalled, Bantsuma would splash around in the water, even more excited than his brothers. He also spoke of the memory of his father's reaction to the results of his junior high school examination. Too nervous to go to the school and check, the good news was delivered by the teacher.
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also pointed out that
Bantsuma would stand straight with his ankles lined up which was his signature pose that signaled death for his opponent. His colleagues often spoke of their admiration for Bantsuma's enthusiasm and quick ability to pick up new moves and sequences. Bantsuma's spectacular sword
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the film evoked provocative ideologies and rebellious ideas during a time where liberal performers and writers were being repressed throughout Japan. Consequently, the film was severely censored with over 20% of its content being completely cut out and several scenes having to be re-shot. When the
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of a father who would do anything for his children is a more accurate representation of
Bantsuma, who was an affectionate and well-rounded family man. However, Bantsuma's dedication to his work was also strong, and he returned to the set, ready to work, the day after his wedding.
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films, as he battles with inner conflict and the injustices of society. This is especially evident in the closing sequence of the film where the protagonist is dragged away by his enemies after his tremendous effort to protect his love. In the essay, "Bantsuma's 'New Breeze'",
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spoke of
Bantsuma's wide range and depth, his convincing and humanistic portrayal of the protagonist, and stated that despite his big status in the film industry, Bantsuma was the obvious choice for the part of Sankichi, a man of the lowest social ranks.
440:‘Not all those who wear the name of villain, are truly evil men. Not all those who are respected as noble men, are worthy of the name. Many are those who wear a false mask of benevolence to hide their treachery and the wickedness of their true selves,’
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actor. However, in the world of kabuki, lineage was extremely important and
Bantsuma struggled to gain fame. He soon changed his artistic direction by joining small theaters and taking small roles at Kokkatsu production firm. In 1922, with
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Bantsuma's films, particularly his earlier works, would not be complete without the fast-paced sword fighting scenes that always guaranteed to raise the heart rate of his audience. Fighting styles had always been set, especially in
496:, a sword fighting coach analyzed Bantsuma's technique and put his uniqueness down to the fact that he does not look at his victims when he slays them. Instead, he is already focused on his next victim.
383:. It is also well known that he liked to flaunt his cash and he often treated his co-workers to a night in Gion with sometimes up to 20 geisha in one room. In 1926 Bantsuma built a studio outside
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After the death of his mother, his father's business soon went bankrupt and
Bantsuma was unable to continue his education. After finishing elementary school, he became an apprentice and pupil to
526:, he wrote, ‘The life of an artist is to die for art. Only when art is one’s life can one produce real art. As I have a long way to go, I will continue down this path while with such belief.’
467:(1935), but his rather feeble voice was unpopular with the audience. It seemed that Bantsuma's luck was running out and in 1936 he closed the doors of his agency once and for all, and joined
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Takahiro distinctly remembered his father bounding down the stairs and bowing in front of the teacher till his forehead touched the floor, almost as if shooting a scene from one of his
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At the height of his fame, Bantsuma established his own agency in the summer of 1925. It was the first independent production company to be headed by a film star in the history of
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formed troupes and traveled around the country. During this time, Bantsuma perfected his skills further and in 1948 he peaked once again with his performance in the film
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622:(1938). Playing the role of Kuranosuke Oishi, Bantsuma displayed his perfected acting skills with his powerful performance. Then in 1943 he starred in the film
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593:(1949), where he plays the role of a tyrannical man feared by his family. He was the complete opposite, always putting his family first. The role he played in
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His determination and dedication in what he did is evident in the statement he made in the
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1247:'Bantsuma Cinema News', November 1929 issue, February 1930 issue, as cited in 'Bantsuma In and Out, The Life of Tsumasaburo Bando'
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492:'. However, with the emergence of Bantsuma this changed and he introduced a completely new style which was unique to him alone.
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of the upper classes who always triumphed over their evil opponents, upholding what was truly right in the world. However,
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It seems that
Bantsuma's sensitivity was beginning to make its way into the work he was producing. A year after entering
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as one of the most 'heroic and heart-crushing' images she has seen. In the past, the heroes of the films were proud
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and
Bantsuma lives on through the continued popularity of his films and the impact he made to the history of
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404:(1925). The story revolves around the protagonist, Heizaburo Kuritomi, an honorable but low-class
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was created in response to the national and military fanaticism that was prevailing at the time.
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1244:'Commentary: Bantsuma-Bando Tsumasaburo no Shogai', Yutaka Matsuda (Matsuda Film Productions)
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and displayed his sensitivity, as well as giving the audience an insight into his mentality.
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films did not do very well. In 1935, Bantsuma worked with the renowned director
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whose life is turned upside down by his enemy. In 1925, Bantsuma starred in
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performances and actors were limited to doing standard moves such as the '
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Bantsuma went on to produce many films under his production company, but
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Many people think that Bantsuma's true nature can be seen in
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skills soon earned him the title, ‘The King of Swordfights.’
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described watching his father eat dried fish and drink
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During this period of his career, Japan soon lost the
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who is given an emotional depth, previously unseen in
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The family often spent their summers at the beach in
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of the twentieth century. Famous for his rebellious,
1222:"日本映画史に名を残す不世出の剣戟スター、阪東妻三郎"バンツマ"の息子・田村亮がトークショーに登場！"
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
673:On 7 July 1953, Bantsuma died at the age of 51 of
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1088:. cinematopics.com. May 18, 2002. Archived from
655:as a ‘hotbed of feudalism.’ Thus, the stars of
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394:By far the most controversial film made under
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640:in the style of the character of the film.
683:. A grave has been built in his memory in
537:Bantsuma was truly a man of many talents.
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109:Learn how and when to remove this message
349:in 1924, a story about a poor, low-rank
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802:Koina no Ginpei, Yuki no Wataridori
436:With its now-famous opening lines:
245:, December 14, 1901 – July 7, 1953)
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1086:"阪東妻三郎生誕100周年、息子が語る父、メンコは、使えなかった。"
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1322:20th-century Japanese male actors
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339:films, very much in the style of
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568:(who died on 16 May 2006 from a
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34:needs additional citations for
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1045:(1953, Director: Osone Tatsuo)
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522:In the November 1929 issue of
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926:Noroshi wa Shanghai ni agaru
471:Production Company in 1937.
230:Tsumasaburō "Bantsuma" Bandō
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814:Sunae Shibari-Morio Jushiro
612:, Bantsuma co-starred with
398:was its second production,
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549:had four sons together —
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1317:People from Chūō, Tokyo
1274:Japanese Movie Database
475:Bantsuma: The Swordsman
329:Makino Film Productions
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268:Makino Film Productions
1312:Male actors from Tokyo
838:Chikemuri Takadanobaba
616:in the all-star film,
545:Bantsuma and his wife
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509:Bantsuma's first son,
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367:Bantsuma: The Producer
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488:', 'Yanagi', or the '
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379:being entertained by
287:Bantsuma, birth name
902:Zoku Tsubanari Ronin
878:Zoku Mazo-Ibara Ukon
524:Bantsuma Cinema News
516:Bantsuma Cinema News
505:Bantsuma: The Writer
417:cites the ending of
396:Bantsuma Productions
43:improve this article
675:cerebral hemorrhage
625:Muho matsu no Issho
570:cerebral infarction
313:Kichimatsu Nakamura
58:"Tsumasaburō Bandō"
970:Tsukinode no Ketto
958:Suronin Makaritoru
914:Muhomatsu no issho
651:began to restrict
317:Makino Film Studio
1270:Tsumasaburō Bandō
1261:Tsumasaburō Bandō
1117:The Asahi Shimbun
1033:(1951, Director:
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604:Later film career
389:Toei Kyoto studio
323:Early film career
242:Bandō Tsumasaburō
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125:Tsumasaburō Bandō
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391:now stands.
370:
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301:
288:
286:
260:silent films
229:
228:
179:(1953-07-07)
177:July 7, 1953
105:
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86:
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72:
65:
53:
41:Please help
36:verification
33:
1297:1953 deaths
1292:1901 births
1228:15 February
1206:27 December
1181:15 February
1146:15 February
1124:15 February
1042:Abare-jishi
1023:Daisuke Itō
1011:Daisuke Itō
987:Daisuke Itō
963:Daisuke Itō
951:Daisuke Itō
907:Ryohei Arai
895:Ryohei Arai
850:Chushingura
831:Ito Daisuke
790:Karasu-gumi
699:Filmography
680:Abare-Jishi
667:Daisuke Itō
665:. Director
619:Chushingura
596:Abare Jishi
541:Family life
490:Chijihataka
306:, a famous
157:Kodenmacho
1286:Categories
1177:. kotobank
1140:"阪東妻三郎 逆流"
1112:"阪東 妻三郎の孫"
1072:References
1006:Oboro Kago
559:Ryō Tamura
387:where the
293:Nihonbashi
283:Early life
222:Ryo Tamura
196:film actor
192:Occupation
159:Nihonbashi
150:1901-12-14
69:newspapers
1224:. PRTIMES
1056:Jidaigeki
935:Feng Yuek
730:Kageboshi
657:Jidaigeki
653:Jidaigeki
582:jidaigeki
410:jidaigeki
361:Kageboshi
356:Kageboshi
337:jidaigeki
274:in 1923.
257:jidaigeki
205:1923–1953
1202:. マツダ映画社
1175:"阪東 妻三郎"
1096:July 20,
1050:See also
718:Gyakuryu
647:and the
610:Nikkatsu
498:Ryu Kuze
494:Ryu Kuze
486:Yamagata
469:Nikkatsu
346:Gyakuryu
210:Children
1272:at the
1200:"阪東妻三郎"
1142:. 松田映画社
1119:digital
881:(1939,
685:Nisonin
649:US army
584:films.
425:samurai
406:samurai
351:samurai
83:scholar
1061:Benshi
982:Oushou
742:Orochi
482:Kabuki
461:film,
459:talkie
450:Orochi
430:Orochi
420:Orochi
401:Orochi
381:geisha
308:kabuki
236:阪東 妻三郎
85:
78:
71:
64:
56:
689:Kyoto
385:Kyoto
297:Tokyo
272:Kyoto
185:Japan
167:Japan
163:Tokyo
90:JSTOR
76:books
1265:IMDb
1230:2020
1208:2020
1183:2020
1148:2020
1126:2020
1098:2014
866:Mazo
662:Ōshō
638:sake
377:Gion
278:Life
174:Died
140:Born
62:news
1263:at
645:war
270:in
266:of
45:by
1288::
1191:^
1156:^
1114:.
949:,
933:,
857:,
695:.
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