Shintaro Katsu

was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, and the Zatoichi series.

Life and career

Born Toshio Okumura (奥村 利夫 Okumura Toshio) on 29 November 1931. He was the son of Minoru Okumura (奥村 実), a noted kabuki performer who went by the stage name Katsutōji Kineya (杵屋 勝東治) and who was renowned for his nagauta and shamisen skills. He was the younger brother of actor Tomisaburo Wakayama.

Shintaro Katsu began his career in entertainment as a shamisen player. He switched to acting because he noticed it was better paid. In the 1960s he starred simultaneously in three long-running series of films, the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, and the Zatoichi series.

He played the role of blind masseur Zatoichi in a series of 25 films between 1962 and 1973, in 100 episodes across a four season television series from 1974 to 1979, and in a 26th and final film in 1989, which he also directed.

In 1967, Katsu formed the company Katsu Productions.

Katsu had a troubled personal life. A heavy drinker, Katsu had several brushes with the law over drug use as well, including marijuana, opium and cocaine with arrests in 1978, 1990 and 1992.

He had also developed a reputation as a troublemaker on set. When director Akira Kurosawa cast him for the lead role in Kagemusha (1980), Katsu left before the first day of shooting was over. Though accounts differ as to the incident, the most consistent one details Katsu's clash with Kurosawa regarding bringing his own film crew to the set (to film Kurosawa in action for later exhibition to his own acting students). Kurosawa is reputed to have taken great offense at this, resulting in Katsu's termination (he was replaced by Tatsuya Nakadai). In her book, Waiting on the Weather, about her experiences with director Kurosawa, script supervisor Teruyo Nogami chalks the differences between Katsu and Kurosawa up to a personality clash that had unfortunate artistic results.

He was the husband of actress Tamao Nakamura (married in 1962), and father of actor Ryutaro Gan (Gan Ryūtarō).

Stunt actor Yukio Kato was killed on the set of the 26th Zatoichi film by Katsu's son, who was co-starring, when an actual sword was mistaken for a prop, fatally wounding Kato.

In her book, Geisha, A Life, Kyoto geisha Mineko Iwasaki claimed to have had a long time affair with Katsu, whom she calls by his given name, Toshio. The affair ended in 1976, and eventually the two became good friends until his death.

Katsu produced the manga-based Lone Wolf and Cub (Kozure Okami) series of jidaigeki films starring his brother Tomisaburo Wakayama, two of which were later compiled into the movie Shogun Assassin, as well as co-writing, producing, and acting alongside his brother in the TV jidaigeki series Oshizamurai Kiichihōgan (Mute Samurai) and Tsūkai! Kōchiyama Sōshun.

His other television work includes the police drama Template:Ill (Superintendent K) which he starred in (as Katsutoshi Gatsu), co-wrote, directed, and produced. His daughter, Template:Ill, co-starred.

His film work includes the Hanzo the Razor series as Detective Itami Hanzo. He was also an accomplished shamisen player, as well as a vocalist, recording several albums in both pop and Enka.

He died of pharyngeal cancer on 21 June 1997.

Filmography

As actor

Year	Title	Japanese	Romanization	Character
1955	A Girl Isn't Allowed to Love	Template:Category handler	Bara ikutabika	Akira Takakura
1956	Migratory Birds of the Flowers	Template:Category handler	Hana no Wataridori
1956	The Renyasai Yagyu Hidden Story	Template:Category handler	Yagyū Ren'yasai Hidentsuki Kageshō
1956	Sisters of the Gion	Template:Category handler	Gion no shimai
1956		Template:Category handler	Marason zamurai
1956	Ghost-Cat of Gojusan-Tsugi	Template:Category handler	Kaibyo Gojusan-tsugi
1956		Template:Category handler	Tsukigata Hanpeita
1957	An Osaka Story	Template:Category handler	Osaka monogatari
1957		Template:Category handler	Nijūkyū-nin no Kenka-jō
1957	Ghost Cat of Yonaki Swamp	Template:Category handler	Kaibyo Yonaki numa
1958	Nichiren and the Great Mongol Invasion	Template:Category handler	Nichiren to mōko daishūrai
1958	The Gay Masquerade	Template:Category handler	Benten kozō
1958	The Loyal 47 Ronin	Template:Category handler	Chūshingura
1958	Ghost-Cat Wall of Hatred	Template:Category handler	Kaibyō noroi no kabe
1959	Samurai Vendetta	Template:Category handler	Hakuōki
1959		Template:Category handler	Seki no yatappe
1959		Template:Category handler	Beni azami
1959	Beauty Is Guilty	Template:Category handler	Bibō ni tsumi ari
1959		Template:Category handler	Hatsuharu tanuki gotten
1960		Template:Category handler	Zoku Jirocho Fuji
1960	The Demon of Mount Oe	Template:Category handler	Ooe-yama Shuten-dōji	Watanabe no Tsuna
1960	Secrets of a Court Masseur also titled The Blind Menace and Agent Shiranui	Template:Category handler	Shiranui kengyō
1960		Template:Category handler	Tsukinode no ketto
1961		Template:Category handler	Mito komon umi o wataru
1961		Template:Category handler	Kaze to kumo to toride
1961		Template:Category handler	Hanakurabe tanuki dochu
1961	Blind Devotion	Template:Category handler	Midaregami
1961	Tough Guy	Template:Category handler	Akumyō	Asakichi
1961	Buddha	Template:Category handler	Shaka	Devadatta
1961	Tough Guy, Part 2	Template:Category handler	Zoku akumyo	Asakichi
1962	The Whale God	Template:Category handler	Kujira gami
1962	The Tale of Zatoichi	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi monogatari	Ichi
1962	New Bad Reputation	Template:Category handler	Shin akumyo	Asakichi
1962	The Great Wall	Template:Category handler	Shin no shikōtei
1962	The Tale of Zatoichi Continues	Template:Category handler	Zoku Zatōichi monogatari	Ichi
1962	New Bad Reputation Continues	Template:Category handler	Zoku shin akumyo	Asakichi
1963	The Money Dance	Template:Category handler	Dokonjo monogatari – zeni no odori
1963		Template:Category handler	Daisan no akumyo	Asakichi
1963	An Actor's Revenge	Template:Category handler	Yukinojo henge
1963	New Tale of Zatoichi	Template:Category handler	Shin Zatōichi monogatari	Ichi
1963		Template:Category handler	Akumyo ichiba	Asakichi
1963	Zatoichi The Fugitive	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi kyojo tabi	Ichi
1963		Template:Category handler	Akumyo hatoba	Asakichi
1963	Zatoichi on the Road	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi kenka-tabi	Ichi
1963		Template:Category handler	Akumyo ichiban	Asakichi
1964	Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi senryō-kubi	Ichi
1964		Template:Category handler	Suruga yūkyōden: Toba arashi
1964	Zatoichi's Flashing Sword	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi abare tako	Ichi
1964		Template:Category handler	Akumyo daiko	Asakichi
1964		Template:Category handler	Suruga yūkyōden yabure tekka
1964	Fight, Zatoichi, Fight	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi kesshō-tabi	Ichi
1964	Kojiki Taishō	Template:Category handler	Kojiki taisho	Gotō Matabei
1964	If You're Happy, Clap Your Hands	Template:Category handler	Shiawasa nara te wo tatakou
1964	Adventures of Zatoichi	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi sekisho yaburi	Ichi
1964			Rōnin-gai
1964		Template:Category handler	Dokonjō monogatari: Zubutoiyatsu
1965		Template:Category handler	Suruga yūkyōden: Dokyō garasu
1965	The Hoodlum Soldier	Template:Category handler	Heitai yakuza	Kisaburo Omiya
1965	Zatoichi's Revenge	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi nidan-kiri	Ichi
1965			Akumyo nobori	Asakichi
1965	Life of Matsu the Untamed	Template:Category handler	Muhomatsu no issho
1965	Zatoichi and the Doomed Man	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi sakate giri	Ichi
1965		Template:Category handler	Akumyo muteki	Asakichi
1965	Zatoichi and the Chess Expert	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi Jigoku tabi	Ichi
1965	Hoodlum Soldier and the C.O.	Template:Category handler	Zoku heitai yakuza	Ichi
1966		Template:Category handler	Akumyo zakura	Asakichi
1966	Zatoichi's Vengeance	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi no uta ga kikoeru	Ichi
1966	Zatoichi's Pilgrimage	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi umi o wataru	Ichi
1966	Hoodlum Soldier Deserts Again	Template:Category handler	Shin heitai yakuza
1966		Template:Category handler	Heitai yakuza datsugoku
1966		Template:Category handler	Heitai yakuza daidassō
1967	The Hoodlum Priest	Template:Category handler	Yakuza bozu
1967		Template:Category handler	Heitai yakuza ore ni makasero
1967	Zatoichi's Cane Sword	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi tekka tabi	Ichi
1967		Template:Category handler	Akumyo ichidai	Asakichi
1967	Zatoichi the Outlaw	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi rōyaburi	Ichi
1967	Hoodlum Soldier on the Attack	Template:Category handler	Heitai yakuza nagurikomi
1967	Zatoichi Challenged	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi chikemuri kaidō	Ichi
1968		Template:Category handler	Zoku yakuza bozu
1968		Template:Category handler	Tomuraishi tachi
1968		Template:Category handler	Heitai yakuza godatsu
1968		Template:Category handler	Akumyo juhachi-ban	Asakichi
1968	The Man Without a Map	Template:Category handler	Moetsukita chizu
1968	Zatoichi and the Fugitives	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi hatashi-jō	Ichi
1968	Samaritan Zatoichi	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi kenka-daiko	Ichi
1969	Devil's Temple	Template:Category handler	Oni no sumu yakata
1969	Hitokiri	Template:Category handler	Hitokiri	Okada Izō
1969	The Magoichi Saga	Template:Category handler	Shirikurae Magoichi	Oda Nobunaga
1969		Template:Category handler	Akumyo ichiban shobu	Asakichi
1970		Template:Category handler	Kenka ichidai: Dodekai yatsu
1970	Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi to Yōjinbō	Ichi
1970		Template:Category handler	Genkai yūkyōden: Yabure kabure
1970	Incident at Blood Pass	Template:Category handler	Machibuse
1970	Yakuza Zessyō	Template:Category handler	Yakuza zessyō
1970	Zatoichi at the Fire Festival	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi abare-himatsuri	Ichi
1970	Fuji sanchō	Template:Category handler	Fuji sanchō
1971	Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman	Template:Category handler	Shin Zatōichi: Yabure! Tojin-ken	Ichi
1971	Inn of Evil	Template:Category handler	Inochi bō ni furō
1971	The Gift of the Fox	Template:Category handler	Kitsune no kureta akanbō
1971	Kaoyaku	Template:Category handler	Kaoyaku
1972	Zatoichi at Large	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi goyō-tabi	Ichi
1972		Template:Category handler	Shin heitai yakuza: Kasen
1972	Zatoichi in Desperation	Template:Category handler	Shin Zatōichi monogatari: Oreta tsue aka	Ichi also director
1972	Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice	Template:Category handler	Goyōkiba	Hanzo Itami
1973	Mute Samurai	Template:Category handler	Oshizamurai Kiichihōgan (TV series)	Manji
1973	Zatoichi's Conspiracy	Template:Category handler	Shin Zatōichi monogatari: Kasama no chimatsuri	Ichi
1973		Template:Category handler	Ōshō	Sankichi Sakata
1973	Hanzo the Razor: The Snare	Template:Category handler	Goyōkiba: Kamisori Hanzō jigoku zeme	Hanzo Itami
1974	The Homeless	Template:Category handler	Yadonashi
1974	Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold?	Template:Category handler	Goyōkiba: Oni no Hanzō yawahada koban	Hanzo Itami
1974	Akumyo: Notorious Dragon	Template:Category handler	Akumyo: shima arashiaka	Asakichi
1974	Zatōichi monogatari (TV series)	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi monogatari	Ichi
1975	Tsūkai! Kōchiyama Sōshun (TV series)	Template:Category handler	Tsūkai! Kōchiyama Sōshun	Kōchiyama Sōshun
1983		Template:Category handler	Meiso chizu
1987	The one-eyed dragon Masamune (TV series)	Template:Category handler	Dokuganryu Masamune	Toyotomi Hideyoshi
1988	Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis	Template:Category handler	Teito Monogatari	Shibusawa Eiichi
1989	Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally	Template:Category handler	Zatōichi	Ichi also director
1990	Saga of the Phoenix	Template:Category handler	Kujaku ō: Ashura densetsu
1990	Ronin Gai	Template:Category handler	Rōnin-gai

As producer

Year	Title	Japanese	Romanization	Role
1970	Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo		Zatōichi to Yōjinbō	producer
1970	Zatoichi at the Fire Festival		Zatōichi abare-himatsuri	producer
1971	Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman		Shin Zatōichi: Yabure! Tojin-ken	producer
1971	Kaoyaku		Kaoyaku	executive producer
1972	Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice		Goyōkiba	producer
1972	Zatoichi at Large		Zatōichi goyō-tabi	producer
1972	New Hoodlum Soldier Story: Firing Line		Shin heitai yakuza: Kasen	producer
1972	Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance		Kozure Ōkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru	producer
1972	Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx		Kozure Ōkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma	producer
1972	Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades		Kozure Ōkami: Shinikazeni mukau ubaguruma	producer
1972	Zatoichi in Desperation		Shin Zatōichi monogatari: Oreta tsue	producer
1973	Mute Samurai		Oshizamurai Kiichihōgan (TV series)	executive producer
1973	Zatoichi's Conspiracy		Shin Zatōichi monogatari: Kasama no chimatsuri
1973	Hanzo the Razor: The Snare		Goyōkiba: Kamisori Hanzō jigoku zeme
1974	The Homeless		Yadonashi	producer
1974	Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold?		Goyōkiba: Oni no Hanzō yawahada koban	producer
1974	Akumyo: Notorious Dragon		Akumyo: shima arashiaka
1980	Shogun Assassin			producer
1989	Shintaro Katsu's Zatoichi		Zatōichi

As director

Year	Title	Japanese	Romanization
1971	Kaoyaku		Kaoyaku
1972	Zatoichi in Desperation		Shin Zatōichi monogatari: Oreta tsue
1973	Mute Samurai		Oshi samurai (TV series)
1974	Zatoichi		Zatōichi monogatari (TV series) (episode "A Memorial Day and the Bell of Life")
1989	Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally		Zatōichi

As writer

Year	Title	Japanese	Romanization
1970	Zatoichi at the Fire Festival		Zatōichi abare-himatsuri
1971	Kaoyaku		Kaoyaku
1989	Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally		Zatōichi

As himself

Year	Film	Film type
1978	The Blind Swordsman	Documentary

External links

• Template:Trim/ Shintaro Katsu at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidata
• Shintaro Katsu at the Japanese Movie Database Template:In langTemplate:EditAtWikidata