Daisuke Ito

(Film Director, 1898-1981) Born in Uwajima, Ehime. 1920, apprenticed to Kaoru Osanai, Ito follows him to open an acting school in Shochiku Kinema, and writes the scenario for Shochiku Kinema’s first production “Shinsei”. 1924, he debuts as director with “Shuchu Nikki” from Teikoku Kinema. He goes independent for a while but fails, and moves to Nikkatsu. Recruiting Denjiro Ōkōchi from the Daini Shinkokugeki theatre group, he makes a monumental accomplishment in entertainment jidaigeki, sublimating themes such as sentiment, despair, emptiness and resistance, with action in “Chokon” (’26), the "A Diary of Chuji’s Travels" trilogy (’27), “Kobo Shinsengumi” (’30), and “Jirokichi kōshi” (’32). He then moves Kyoto to produce refined entertainment jidaigeki such as “Ōsho” (’48), “Ōedo Gonin Otoko” (’51) and “Hangyakuji” (’61).