Sō Yamamura | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Koga Hirosada (1910-02-24)24 February 1910 Tenri, Japan |
| Died | 26 May 2000(2000-05-26) (aged 90) Tokyo, Japan |
| Other names | Satoshi Yamamura |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1936–1997 |
Sō Yamamura (山村聰,Yamamura Sō; 24 February 1910 – 26 May 2000), sometimes credited asSatoshi Yamamura, was a Japanese actor and film director.[1]
Yamamura was born Koga Hirosada inTenri,Nara Prefecture, and graduated from theUniversity of Tokyo.[2] In 1942, Yamamura andIsao Yamagata formed the Bunkaza Theatre Company.[3]
He began his career as a screen actor in 1946[2] and appeared in over one hundred films between 1947 and 1997.[4][5] In 1953, he debuted as a director with his filmKanikōsen,[2] the first of six films he directed.[4][5] Yamamura was introduced to Western audiences in the 1958 filmThe Barbarian and the Geisha.[2] In the US, he is well known for his portrayals of Japanese AdmiralIsoroku Yamamoto of theCombined Fleet inTora! Tora! Tora!, and of Mr. Sakamoto,[2] the CEO of Assan Motors inGung Ho.
Yamamura appeared in manyjidaigeki television dramas. He played the role ofTokugawa Ieyasu in thetaiga dramaHaru no Sakamichi in 1971.[6] His major historical roles wereYagyū Munenori in the 1978The Yagyu Conspiracy andHoshina Masayuki in the 1980Shadow Warriors.[7] In addition to historical parts, he appeared in fictional series. He portrayed Otowaya Hanemon in theHissatsu seriesHissatsu Shikakenin, resprising the character in the film series later.[2]
