Heinosuke Gosho

(Film Director, 1902-1981) Born in Kanda, Tokyo. After experiencing assistant director to Yasujiro Shimazu at Shochiku Kamata Studios, he is promoted to director in 1925. 1931, he directs Japan’s first full sound film “The Neighbor’s Wife and Mine”, starring Kinuyo Tanaka. In the Kamata-style petite bourgeoisie films, that close up on and humorously depict the everyday life of citizens, he was especially skilled with gentle and lyrical portrayals. He then wanders through Daiei, Toho, Shin Toho and Shochiku, to then establish the independent production Studio 8. He was awarded the Peace Film at Berlin International Film Festival for “Where Chimneys are Seen” (’53). He continued to depict the warm and virtuous ways of the townspeople, though seemingly lethargic and ignorant at first, with a clear, meticulous and kind perspective with “An Inn at Osaka” (’54), “Takekurabe” (’55), and “Yellow Crow” (’57).