Shin Kishida
Encyclopedia
Shin Kishida was a Japanese
actor
, best known for his memorable supporting roles in films and television series.
, Suginami, Tokyo
. His uncle was playwright Kunio Kishida
, and actress Kyoko Kishida
and children's author Eriko Kishida were his first cousins. He lived in Nakano
until the age of five.
In 1944 he enrolled in Yumoto Elementary School in Hakone, Kanagawa, where he was sent to live as part of a wartime evacuation of children from major cities. He returned to Tokyo in 1947, and transferred to Kudan Elementary School, Chiyoda, Tokyo
. After graduating from Kojimachi Junior High School (Kojimachi Chugakko, where he became friends with future politician Koichi Kato
) and Kaijo High School (Kaijo Koko), he took a year off from his studies before entering the English literature department of Hosei University
. However, he dropped out in his second year after deciding to become an actor.
and others, and subsequently concentrated on film and television work.
Kishida may be best-remembered for playing Hammer
-esque vampires in Toho
's Chi o Suu film series. Many Japanese fans regard Kishida and Christopher Lee
as the quintessential screen vampires. Coincidentally, Kishida appeared alongside Shigeru Amachi, a pioneer of the Japanese vampire role in Nobuo Nakagawa
's The Lady Vampire (Onna Kyuketsuki, 1959) on the 6th episode of the television period drama Mushuku Samurai in 1973. Kishida appeared in several works by Tsuburaya Productions
including Return of Ultraman
(Kaette kita Urutoraman) and Operation: Mystery! (Kaiki Daisakusen).
He wrote screenplays under the name Shin Akekawa, such as episode 35 of Return of Ultraman, "Zankoku! Hikari Kaiju Purizuma". Kishida's design for the light-inspired Prisma monster is widely regarded as the most beautiful of the second wave of Ultraman
monsters, and features in many books on the subject. As Shin Kishida he also wrote a script for episode 12 (Magma Man) of the children's show Fireman
.
Kishida also worked frequently with director Kihachi Okamoto
, and was a key figure in his latter works. His sidesplitting portrayal of a garish suit-wearing enemy yakuza captain in Dainamaito Dondon, and his turn as an eerie secretary to a political mastermind in Blue Christmas
(the epitome of his stated desire to appear in brief supporting roles that change the tone of an entire film) are some of his most representative work.
He also formed a celebrated partnership with Akio Jissoji
, a former colleague from his days working for Tsuburaya. His 1977 film, Utamaro's World (Utamaro: Yume to Shiriseba) was probably frequent Kishida's only lead role in a major production (although he does not headline the film), and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival
.
From time to time, he deliberately shaved his head and wore a wig for his roles in the television series Kizudarake no Tenshi and Tantei Monogatari. In a guest appearance as "Phantom Thief #103" on the 13th episode of Tantei Monogatari, he engages in a fencing duel with star Yusaku Matsuda
towards the end. A thrust by Matsuda’s character connects with the Phantom Thief's hair, ripping off his wig and exposing his bald pate with the number 103 neatly written on it.
, Akio Jissoji
and Tatsumi Kumashiro
, Kishida was revered by many actors including Kenichi Hagiwara
, Yutaka Mizutani
and Yusaku Matsuda
. Fellow Bungakuza actor Daigo Kusano was his lifelong best friend.
Shintaro Katsu
also praised him highly for his talent and character, and appeared alongside him in several films. Kishida also worked as an instructor for Katsu's acting school "Katsu Academy". One of his students was Kazuki Kosakai
.
Actor Asao Kobayashi, who co-starred with Kishida in Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, was so overcome by the shock of Kishida’s sudden death that he took a hiatus from acting and left show business permanently a few years later.
, aged 43. Shortly after news of Kishida's passing, television reruns of his final tokusatsu
series "Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan" began in the Tokyo area, and his first appearance in the opening episode of the series was accompanied by a memorial message.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, best known for his memorable supporting roles in films and television series.
Biography
Shin Kishida was born at Kawakita General Hospital in AsagayaAsagaya
, a suburb of Tokyo located in the Suginami ward west of Shinjuku. Main access to Asagaya is via the Chūō-Sōbu Line, 12 minutes out from Shinjuku station.-Geography:...
, Suginami, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. His uncle was playwright Kunio Kishida
Kunio Kishida
was one of the most prominent Japanese dramatist and writer of the early 20th century and is regarded as one of the founders of modern Japanese drama....
, and actress Kyoko Kishida
Kyoko Kishida
was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and writer of children's books.Her father was Kunio Kishida, a playwright and the founder of the Bungaku-za. She became an actress in 1950, and starred in a Yukio Mishima production of the 1960 film Salome. Her film and television drama credits number in the...
and children's author Eriko Kishida were his first cousins. He lived in Nakano
Nakano
-People:Nakano is also a Japanese family name.* Ayako Nakano* Chikayo Nakano* Daisuke Nakano* George Nakano* Hiroko Nakano* Hiroyuki Nakano* Junya Nakano* Kansei Nakano* Kazuo Nakano* Keiko Nakano* Koichi Nakano* Kiyoshi Nakano* Kumiko Nakano...
until the age of five.
In 1944 he enrolled in Yumoto Elementary School in Hakone, Kanagawa, where he was sent to live as part of a wartime evacuation of children from major cities. He returned to Tokyo in 1947, and transferred to Kudan Elementary School, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Chiyoda, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
. After graduating from Kojimachi Junior High School (Kojimachi Chugakko, where he became friends with future politician Koichi Kato
Koichi Kato (LDP)
is a Japanese politician . Born in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, he is a member of the House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party.- Political career :...
) and Kaijo High School (Kaijo Koko), he took a year off from his studies before entering the English literature department of Hosei University
Hosei University
is a private university based in Tokyo, Japan.The university originated in a school of law, Tōkyō Hōgakusha , established in 1880, and the following year renamed Tōkyō Hōgakkō . This was from 1883 headed by Dr. Gustave Emile Boissonade, and was heavily influenced by the French legal tradition...
. However, he dropped out in his second year after deciding to become an actor.
Debut
In 1961 Kishida joined a drama study group attached to the Bungakuza theater troupe. The following year he joined Bungakuza as an apprentice and became a full-fledged member in 1965, but left in early 1966 to form the theater group Rokugatsu Gekijo (June Theater) with his wife Chiho Yuki, Katsumi MatsumuraKatsumi Matsumura
is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.She was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.-References:...
and others, and subsequently concentrated on film and television work.
Kishida may be best-remembered for playing Hammer
Hammer Film Productions
Hammer Film Productions is a film production company based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1934, the company is best known for a series of Gothic "Hammer Horror" films made from the mid-1950s until the 1970s. Hammer also produced science fiction, thrillers, film noir and comedies and in later...
-esque vampires in Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
's Chi o Suu film series. Many Japanese fans regard Kishida and Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
as the quintessential screen vampires. Coincidentally, Kishida appeared alongside Shigeru Amachi, a pioneer of the Japanese vampire role in Nobuo Nakagawa
Nobuo Nakagawa
was a Japanese film director, most famous for the stylized, folk tale-influenced horror films he made in the 1950s and 1960s.-Career:Born in Kyoto, Nakagawa was early on influenced by proletarian literature and wrote amateur film reviews to the Kinema Junpō film magazine. He joined Makino Film...
's The Lady Vampire (Onna Kyuketsuki, 1959) on the 6th episode of the television period drama Mushuku Samurai in 1973. Kishida appeared in several works by Tsuburaya Productions
Tsuburaya Productions
is a Japanese special effects studio founded in 1963 by special effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya and was run by his family, until October 2007, when the family sold the company to advertising agency TYO Inc. The studio is best known for producing the original Ultraman TV series, as well as the Ultra...
including Return of Ultraman
Return of Ultraman
is a tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, and is the 4th Ultra Series.Eiji Tsuburaya had originally intended for the Ultra Series to end with the 1967 series Ultra Seven , but Ultraman proved to be too popular a character to keep down...
(Kaette kita Urutoraman) and Operation: Mystery! (Kaiki Daisakusen).
He wrote screenplays under the name Shin Akekawa, such as episode 35 of Return of Ultraman, "Zankoku! Hikari Kaiju Purizuma". Kishida's design for the light-inspired Prisma monster is widely regarded as the most beautiful of the second wave of Ultraman
Ultraman
is Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
monsters, and features in many books on the subject. As Shin Kishida he also wrote a script for episode 12 (Magma Man) of the children's show Fireman
Fireman (TV series)
, known as Magma Man in some markets, is a Japanese tokusatsu television series about a superhero, the title character, who fights kaiju and other villains. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, the show was broadcast on Nippon Television from January 7 to July 31, 1973, with a total of 30 episodes...
.
Kishida also worked frequently with director Kihachi Okamoto
Kihachi Okamoto
was a Japanese film director who has worked in several different genres, including jidaigeki.-Career:Born in Yonago, Okamoto attended Meiji University, but was drafted in 1943 and entered World War II during its most difficult hours, an experience that had a profound effect on his later film work,...
, and was a key figure in his latter works. His sidesplitting portrayal of a garish suit-wearing enemy yakuza captain in Dainamaito Dondon, and his turn as an eerie secretary to a political mastermind in Blue Christmas
Blue Christmas (film)
, also known as Blood Type: Blue or The Blue Stigma, is a 1978 Japanese science fiction film by director Kihachi Okamoto. It deals with prejudice against UFO witnesses whose blood is turned blue by the encounter. The close encounters occur on Christmas, hence the title....
(the epitome of his stated desire to appear in brief supporting roles that change the tone of an entire film) are some of his most representative work.
He also formed a celebrated partnership with Akio Jissoji
Akio Jissoji
was a Japanese television and film director best known outside of Japan for the 1960s TV series Ultraman and Ultra Seven, as well as for his auteur erotic ATG-produced Buddhist trilogy , , and ....
, a former colleague from his days working for Tsuburaya. His 1977 film, Utamaro's World (Utamaro: Yume to Shiriseba) was probably frequent Kishida's only lead role in a major production (although he does not headline the film), and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
.
From time to time, he deliberately shaved his head and wore a wig for his roles in the television series Kizudarake no Tenshi and Tantei Monogatari. In a guest appearance as "Phantom Thief #103" on the 13th episode of Tantei Monogatari, he engages in a fencing duel with star Yusaku Matsuda
Yusaku Matsuda
was a Japanese actor. Yusaku was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi to a Zainichi Korean mother. His father is not known. His date was wrongly recorded as 1950 on his birth records due to a parental error in filing a report.-Career:...
towards the end. A thrust by Matsuda’s character connects with the Phantom Thief's hair, ripping off his wig and exposing his bald pate with the number 103 neatly written on it.
Personal Life
In 1964 Kishida married actress Chiho Yūki (who later changed her stage name to Kiki Kirin). They divorced in 1968. Kishida later remarried, but this second marriage also ended in divorce.Influence
A regular in the works of directors Kihachi OkamotoKihachi Okamoto
was a Japanese film director who has worked in several different genres, including jidaigeki.-Career:Born in Yonago, Okamoto attended Meiji University, but was drafted in 1943 and entered World War II during its most difficult hours, an experience that had a profound effect on his later film work,...
, Akio Jissoji
Akio Jissoji
was a Japanese television and film director best known outside of Japan for the 1960s TV series Ultraman and Ultra Seven, as well as for his auteur erotic ATG-produced Buddhist trilogy , , and ....
and Tatsumi Kumashiro
Tatsumi Kumashiro
was a Japanese film director best known for his critically acclaimed, award-winning Roman Porno films, such as Ichijo's Wet Lust and The Woman with Red Hair...
, Kishida was revered by many actors including Kenichi Hagiwara
Kenichi Hagiwara
Kenichi Hagiwara , also known as Sho-Ken, was the lead singer of The Tempters, the "bad boys" of the Group Sounds Japan pop scene in the mid and late 1960s...
, Yutaka Mizutani
Yutaka Mizutani
is a Japanese actor and singer. He was born on July 14, 1952 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Biography:Mizutani was raised from the age of eight in Tokyo, Japan. He started acting at the age of twelve, when a neighbor introduced him to a children's acting school in the area...
and Yusaku Matsuda
Yusaku Matsuda
was a Japanese actor. Yusaku was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi to a Zainichi Korean mother. His father is not known. His date was wrongly recorded as 1950 on his birth records due to a parental error in filing a report.-Career:...
. Fellow Bungakuza actor Daigo Kusano was his lifelong best friend.
Shintaro Katsu
Shintaro Katsu
, born Toshio Okumura was a Japanese actor, singer, producer, and director...
also praised him highly for his talent and character, and appeared alongside him in several films. Kishida also worked as an instructor for Katsu's acting school "Katsu Academy". One of his students was Kazuki Kosakai
Kazuki Kosakai
is a Japanese comedian and actor from Ichikawa, Chiba. He is currently attached to Asaikikaku.-Television drama:*Boku dake no Madonna *Sērā Fukudōri -Animation:...
.
Actor Asao Kobayashi, who co-starred with Kishida in Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan, was so overcome by the shock of Kishida’s sudden death that he took a hiatus from acting and left show business permanently a few years later.
Death
On 28 December 1982, Kishida died of esophageal cancerEsophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
, aged 43. Shortly after news of Kishida's passing, television reruns of his final tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
series "Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan" began in the Tokyo area, and his first appearance in the opening episode of the series was accompanied by a memorial message.