HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KUMI MIZUNO! Toho's Siren of the 1960s: January 1, 1937

お誕生日おめでとう、水野久美様


Continuity photo taken during the production of MATANGO (1963).

For my biography on Ms. Mizuno, please click here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EIJI TSUBURAYA! July 10, 1901-January 25, 1970

円谷英二への誕生日おめでとう!


On the set of MATANGO (1963) with Sadamasa Arikawa on the right.

The “Father of Japanese Special Visual Effects” was born on July 10, 1901 as Eiichi Tsuburaya in the town of Sukagawa, Fukushima. As with his life, even his date of birth is steeped in legend — official sources have often listed that Eiji Tsuburaya was born on July 7th — a date of fortune in the celebration of Tanabata (meaning “Seven Evenings”), a Japanese star festival derived from the Obon (a celebration of ancestors). Tanabata is usually celebrated on July 7th or August 7th, to commemorate the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair).

Tanabata originated from the Chinese Festival to Plead for Skills (Oi Xi), which came to Japan in the Heian Period (795-1192), and spread to the public during the Edo Period (1603-1867), where it was then combined with Obon traditions. From the Edo Period, girls wished for better sewing and craftsmanship skills, while boys wished for better calligraphy skills, by writing wishes on strips of tanzaku paper, which were hung on bamboo trees. This tradition is still practiced today in Japan.

Even if Eiji Tsuburaya was not born on July 7th, the myth of being born on the Tanabata certainly was apt, because Tsuburaya would become famous for his multiple artistic and practical skills, which he had in spades — and eventually, the name Tsuburaya would become world-renown with the production of GODZILLA (1954).

MONDO CINEMAVERIQUE VI: OBSESSED FREAKS Japanese Cult Movie Screenings in August!

人気シリーズ「妄執、異形の人々」の中から選りすぐりを上映！

Event flyer for the greatest cult movie series in Japan the world!

From August 3rd-30th, Tokyo’s Shibuya Cinemavera theater is hosting, a film festival of 23 incredible outré cult films, featuring a number of fantasy and horror titles not seen in years — and many not available on DVD!

This program includes: Yasuki Chibai’s WILL-O-THE-WISP (Onibi, 1956), Ryosuke Kurahashi's DANCING MISTRESS (Kaidan-iro Zange Kyoren Onna Shisho, 1957), Eisuke Takizawa's ENCHANTRESS OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN (Shiyoru-no Yojo, 1957), Mitsuo Murayama's THE INVISIBLE MAN MEETS THE FLY MAN (Tomei Ningen to Hae-otoko, 1957), Kyotaro Namiki's VAMPIRE BRIDE (Hanayome Kyuketsuma, 1957), Teinosuke Kinugasa's BRONZE MAGICIAN (Yoso, 1963), Hajime Sato’s THE HOUSE OF TERRORS (Kaidan Semushi-otoko, 1965), Kozo Saeki's COMEDY: MANGA IN FRONT OF THE TRAIN STATION (Kigeki Ekimae Manga, 1966), Shigehiro Ozawa’s SEVEN GAMBLERS (Bakuto Shichi’nin, 1966), Hajime Sato’s GOKE: BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL (Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro, 1968), Kinji Fukasaku’s BLACK ROSE MANSION (Kuro Bara-no Yakata, 1969), Takashi Tsuboshima’s WHO AM I!? (Kiki Kaikai Ore-wa Dare da!?, 1969), Michio Yamamoto’s TERROR IN THE STREETS (Akuma-ga Yonderu, 1970), Katsuhiko Fujii's LEGEND OF A SEX THIEF IN EDO (Oedo Seito-den Onnagiri, 1973), Yukio Noda’s THE KARATE 2 (Karate 2, 1974), Kan Murai’s MRS. TOKYO DEEPTHROAT (Tokyo Deppusurotto Fujin, 1975), Yukio Noda’s YOUNG TURKISH BATH DAIRIES: THE SLIDING VIRGIN (Seishun Toruko Nikki Shojosuberi, 1975), Yuji Makiguchi's MIDORI SATSUKI: CONFESSIONS OF LADY MANTIS (Satsuki Midori Kamakiri Fujin-no Kokuhaku, 1975), Kazuhiko Yamaguchi’s WERECAT IN THE TURKISH BATH (Kaibyo Toruko Furo, 1975), Shunya Ito’s CURSE OF THE GHOST DOG (Inugami-no Tatari, 1977), Yoshitaro Nomura’s WRITHING TONGUE (Furueru Shita, 1980), Yoshitaro Nomura’s MIDNIGHT INVITATION (Mayonaka-no Shotaijo, 1981), and Shinobu Hashimoto’s infamous THE LAKE OF ILLUSIONS (Maboroshi-no Mizuumi, 1982).

If you're in Tokyo during August, DO NOT DARE MISS this chance to catch this incredible and insane line-up of movie madness!

Shibuya Cinemavera website