Koji Yakusho

Kōji Hashimoto (橋本 広司, Hashimoto Kōji, born 1 January 1956),[1] known professionally as Kōji Yakusho (役所 広司, Yakusho Kōji), is a Japanese actor.[2][3] He is known for his starring roles in Shall We Dance? (1996), 13 Assassins (2010), The Third Murder (2017), The Blood of Wolves (2018) and Under the Open Sky (2020). He is best known internationally for his role as Takuro Yamashita in Shōhei Imamura's The Eel and as Yasujiro Wataya in Alejandro González Iñárritu's Babel (2006).

Koji Yakusho
Yakusho at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival (2015)
Born
Kōji Hashimoto

(1956-01-01) 1 January 1956
Isahaya, Nagasaki, Japan
OccupationActor
Years active1978–present

Early life and education

Yakusho was born in Isahaya, Nagasaki, the youngest of five brothers. After graduation from Nagasaki Prefectural High School of Technology in 1974, he worked at the Chiyoda municipal ward office, or kuyakusho, in Tokyo, from which he later took his stage name.[3]

Career

In 1976, he saw a production of Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths and was inspired, first to watch, and then later to take part in, as many plays as possible.[3] In the spring of 1978 he auditioned for Tatsuya Nakadai's the Mumeijuku (Studio for Unknown Performers) acting studio, and was one of four chosen out of 800 applicants.[3]

In 1983, he landed the role of Oda Nobunaga in the year-long NHK drama Tokugawa Ieyasu and was catapulted to fame. He also appeared in a TV version of Miyamoto Musashi from 1984 to 1985. For several years, he played Kuji Shinnosuke (or "Sengoku"), one of the title characters in the jidaigeki Sambiki ga Kiru!. He played a major character in Juzo Itami's 1986 Tampopo.[3]

In 1988, he was given a special award for work in cinema by the Japanese Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture and continued to appear in films and in a number of TV shows through the '90s.[3]

In 1996 and 1997, Yakusho enjoyed several major successes. The Eel, directed by Shohei Imamura, in which he played the eel-loving lead, won the Palme d'Or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.[4] Lawrence Van Gelder in the New York Times called his performance "unerring."[5] A Lost Paradise, about a double-suicide, was second only to Princess Mononoke at the Japanese box office.

International breakthrough: Shall We Dance?
Kōji Yakusho at the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival in 2018

Shall We Dance? was such a major hit in Japan that it inspired a domestic dance craze. Ballroom groups and dance schools multiplied in the country after the film's release, and people who previously would never admit to taking lessons announced that they did with pride.[6] Director Masayuki Suo said of his lead, who until that point was known mostly for playing good-looking samurai, "we thought he could play this overworked, tired Japanese businessman, and he did.... [H]e pulled everything off and took his dance training so seriously."[6]

The film also was one of Japan's highest-grossing movies outside the country.[3][6] It earned $9.5 million in the US and inspired a remake starring Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere, with Gere playing Yakusho's role.[7]

Yakusho next won the Hochi Film Award for Best Actor for Bounce Ko Gals, a film which dealt with high school prostitution specifically, and money worship in general. He collaborated with horror director Kiyoshi Kurosawa in Cure,[3] License to Live,[8] Seance, Charisma,[3] Pulse,[9] Doppelganger,[10] Retribution,[11] and Tokyo Sonata.[12] Yakusho found further recognition with international audiences to some extent with roles in such films as Memoirs of a Geisha and Babel. In the latter, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, he played the father of the deaf-mute played by Rinko Kikuchi.[13]

Later work

In 2009, he debuted as director and writer of Toad's Oil. In 2010 and 2011 he was part of both ensemble casts in Takashi Miike's samurai films, 13 Assassins and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. The latter was in 3D and the first 3D film to be in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

In the 2011 war drama film Rengō Kantai Shirei Chōkan: Yamamoto Isoroku, Yakusho portrayed Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Yakusho was reportedly the only actor considered for the role; had he not accepted it, the film would have been canceled.[14]

In 2018 he was in The Blood of Wolves.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Director Notes Ref.
1979Hunter in the DarkKuwanoHideo Gosha
The Last GameKihachi Okamoto
1980Twelve MonthsYoung soldier (voice)Kimio Yabuki
1981Willful MurderJournalistKei Kumai
1982OnimasaKondōHideo Gosha
Eternal MonumentOtakaTadashi Imai
The Legend of SayoHatsutaroTetsutaro Murano
1985TampopoMan in White SuitJuzo Itami
1987The Great Department Store RobberyCello playerAzuma Morisaki
1988Another Way: D-Kikan JohoNaoto SekiyaKōsaku YamashitaLead role
1990Under AuroraGenzo TamiyaToshio GotōLead role
1993GurenbanaKenzo NakadaMamoru Watanabe
Drug ConnectionRyosuke KanoShōkaku BabaLead role
1994Osaka Gokudo Senso: ShinoidareIppei YoshikawaTatsuoki Hosono
1995Kamikaze TaxiKantakeMasato HaradaLead role[1]
1996Shall We Dance?Shohei SugiyamaMasayuki SuoLead role[1]
Sleeping ManKamimuraKōhei Oguri[1]
Shabu GokudoMakabeTatsuoki HosonoLead role[1]
1997Lost ParadiseShoichiro KukiYoshimitsu MoritaLead role
The EelTakuro YamashitaShohei ImamuraLead role[1]
Bounce Ko GalsOshimaMasato HaradaLead role
CureKenichi TakabeKiyoshi KurosawaLead role[1]
1998BondsTakaaki Ise/Tetsuro HagaKichitaro Negishi
Tadon to chikuwaKidaJun IchikawaLead role
1999License to LiveFujimoriKiyoshi Kurosawa
CharismaGoro YabuikeKiyoshi KurosawaLead role
SpellboundHiroshi KitanoMasato HaradaLead role
2000Swing ManMovie starTetsu Maeda
Dora-heitaKoheita "Dora-heita" MochizukiKon IchikawaLead role
EurekaMakoto SawaiShinji AoyamaLead role
2001PulseShip captainKiyoshi KurosawaCameo
Warm Water Under a Red BridgeYosuke SasanoShōhei ImamuraLead role
2002The Choice of HerculesAtsuyuki SassaMasato HaradaLead role
2003DoppelgangerMichio HayasakiKiyoshi KurosawaLead role
Fireflies: River of LightMr. TakiguchiHiroshi Sugawara
2004The Hunter and the HuntedDetective Jin SekikawaIzuru NarushimaLead role
Tokyo: Level OneThe Governor of TokyoGen YamakawaLead role
Lakeside Murder CaseShunsuke NamikiShinji AoyamaLead role
University of LaughsMutsuo SakisakaMamoru HoshiLead role
2005Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific OceanMasami Shin'ichiShinji HiguchiLead role
Memoirs of a GeishaNobuRob MarshallAmerican film
2006The Uchōten HotelHeikichi ShindoKōki MitaniLead role
BabelYasujiro WatayaAlejandro González IñárrituForeign film
RetributionNoboru YoshiokaKiyoshi KurosawaLead role
2007I Just Didn't Do ItMasayoshi ArakawaMasayuki Suo
Argentine BabaSatoru WakuiNaoki NagaoLead role
SilkHara JubeiFrançois GirardForeign film
Walking My LifeYukihiro FujiyamaSatoshi IsakaLead role
2008Paco and the Magical BookOnukiTetsuya NakashimaLead role
Tokyo SonataThe RobberKiyoshi Kurosawa
2009Mt. TsurugidakeMorisaku FurutaDaisaku Kimura
Gelatin Silver LoveClientKazumi Kurigami
Toad's OilTakuro YazawaHimselfLead role, also director and writer
201013 AssassinsShinzaemon ShimadaTakashi MiikeLead role
The Last RoninMagozaemon SenooShigemichi SugitaLead role
2011Hara-Kiri: Death of a SamuraiKageyu SaitoTakashi Miike
IsorokuIsoroku YamamotoIzuru NarushimaLead role
Chronicle of My MotherKōsakuMasato HaradaLead role
The Woodsman and the RainKatsuhikoShūichi OkitaLead role
2012A Terminal TrustShinzo EgiMasayuki Suo
2013The Kiyosu ConferenceShibata KatsuieKōki MitaniLead role
2014The World of KanakoAkikazu FujishimaTetsuya NakashimaLead role
A Samurai ChronicleShūkoku TodaTakashi KoizumiLead role
2015The Emperor in AugustKorechika AnamiMasato HaradaLead role
The Boy and the BeastKumatetsu (voice)Mamoru HosodaLead role
Mifune: The Last SamuraiHimselfSteven OkazakiDocumentary film
2017SekigaharaTokugawa IeyasuMasato Harada
Oh Lucy!KomoriAtsuko HirayanagiAmerican-Japanese film
The Third MurderMisumiHirokazu Kore-eda[1]
2018The Blood of WolvesShōgo ŌgamiKazuya ShiraishiLead role[1]
MiraiGrandpa (voice)Mamoru Hosoda
2019Wings Over EverestJiang YueshengFay YuLead role; Chinese film
WhistleblowerKaseKatsuo FukuzawaCameo
2021Under the Open SkyMasao MikamiMiwa NishikawaLead role[15]
The Supporting Actors: The MovieHimselfDaigo Matsui[16]
BelleSuzu's father (voice)Mamoru Hosoda[17]
2022The Pass: Last Days of the SamuraiKawai TsugunosukeTakashi KoizumiLead role[18]
2023Perfect DaysHirayamaWim WendersLead role; Japanese-German film[19]
FamiliaSeijiIzuru NarushimaLead role[20]
Father of the Milky Way RailroadMasajirō MiyazawaIzuru NarushimaLead role[21]

Television
Year Title Role Network Notes Ref(s)
1980Natchan no shashinkanKayamaNHKAsadora
Shishi no JidaiMurakami TaijiNHKTaiga drama
1981Onna TaikōkiOda NobutakaNHKTaiga drama
1983Tokugawa IeyasuOda NobunagaNHKTaiga drama
1984–1985Miyamoto MusashiMiyamoto MusashiNHKLead role
1986InochiHamamuraNHKTaiga drama
1987–1995Sanbiki ga Kiru!Kuji Shin'nosukeTV Asahi
1990Moeyo KenHijikata ToshizōTV TokyoLead role; miniseries
1991Takeda ShingenTakeda ShingenTBSLead role; TV movie
1994Hana no RanIbuki Saburo NobutsunaNHKTaiga drama
2000Aikotoba wa YūkiJintaro AkatsukiFuji TVLead role
SeanceSatoFuji TVLead role; TV movie
2010Wagaya no RekishiNarratorFuji TVMiniseries
2014Oyaji no SenakaSōsuke AokiTBSLead role; episode 2
2017Ties: A Miraculous ColtMasayukiNHKLead role; miniseries
RikuohKōichi MiyazawaTBSLead role
The Supporting ActorsHimselfTV TokyoEpisode 1
2018The Supporting Actors 2HimselfTV TokyoEpisode 1
2019IdatenKanō JigorōNHKTaiga drama
2021Pension MetsaTsunekiWowowEpisode 1[22]
Matrilineal FamilyYoshizō YajimaTV AsahiSpecial appearance; miniseries[23]
2023The DaysNetflixLead role[24]
VivantTBS[25]

Dubbing roles
Live-action
Animation

Recognition and honors
Year Honor Ref.
2012 Medal with Purple Ribbon [27]

Yakusho won Japan Academy Film Prizes for his performances in Shall We Dance?, The Third Murder and The Blood of Wolves.[28]

Awards and nominations
Award Year Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
Asian Film Awards 2011 Best Actor in a Leading Role 13 Assassins Nominated
2012 Chronicle of My Mother Nominated
2019 The Blood of Wolves Won [1]
Excellence In Asian Cinema Award Won [1]
2021 Best Actor in a Leading Role Under the Open Sky Nominated
Asia-Pacific Film Festival 1998 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Eel Won
Blue Ribbon Awards 1997 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance?, Sleeping Man, Shabu gokudo Won
1998 The Eel, Lost Paradise,Cure Won
2016 The Emperor in August Nominated
2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Third Murder, Sekigahara Nominated
2019 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Blood of Wolves Nominated
2022 Under the Open Sky Nominated
Chicago International Film Festival 2001 Best Actor Warm Water Under a Red Bridge Won
2020 Best Performance Under the Open Sky Won [1]
Dubai International Film Festival (Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature) 2011 Best Actor The Woodsman and the Rain Won
Elan d'or Awards 1984 Newcomer of the Year Himself Won
Hochi Film Award 1996 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance?, Sleeping Man, Shabu gokudo Won
1997 The Eel, Lost Paradise, Bounce ko GALS Won
2017 Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Third Murder, Sekigahara Won
2018 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Blood of Wolves Won
2021 Under the Open Sky Nominated
Japan Academy Prize 1997 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance? Won
1998 The Eel Won
1999 Bonds Nominated
2000 Spellbound Nominated
2001 Dora-heita Nominated
2002 Warm Water Under a Red Bridge Nominated
2003 The Choice of Hercules Nominated
2005 University of Laughs Nominated
2007 The Uchōten Hotel Nominated
2008 Walking My Life Nominated
2009 Paco and the Magical Book Nominated
2011 13 Assassins Nominated
2012 The Last Ronin Nominated
2013 Chronicle of My Mother, Isoroku Nominated
2015 A Samurai Chronicle Nominated
2016 The Emperor in August Nominated
2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Third Murder Won
Sekigahara Nominated
2019 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Blood of Wolves Won
2022 Under the Open Sky Nominated
Japanese Film Critics Awards 1996 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance?, Sleeping Man, Shabu gokudo Won
Kinema Junpo Awards 1997 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance?, Sleeping Man, Shabu gokudo Won
1998 The Eel, Cure Won
2022 Under the Open Sky Won
Kyoto International Art and Film Festival 2014 Toshiro Mifune Award Himself Won
Mainichi Film Awards 1996 Best Actor in a Leading Role Kamikaze Taxi Won [1]
1997 Shall We Dance?, Sleeping Man, Shabu gokudo Won
2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Third Murder Won
2019 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Blood of Wolves Nominated
2022 Under the Open Sky Nominated
Nikkan Sports Film Award 1996 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance? Won
2017 Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Third Murder, Sekigahara Won
2018 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Blood of Wolves Nominated
Osaka Cinema Festival 2019 Best Actor The Blood of Wolves Won
Silver Screen Awards 2017 Cinema Legend Award Himself Won
Sitges Film Festival 2014 Best Actor The World of Kanako Won
Tokyo International Film Festival 1997 Best Actor Cure Won
Tokyo Sports Film Award 2018 Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Third Murder Nominated
2019 Best Actor in a Leading Role The Blood of Wolves Nominated
Yokohama Film Festival 1997 Best Actor in a Leading Role Shall We Dance?, Sleeping Man, Shabu gokudo Won
2005 University of Laughs, Yudan Taiteki, Tokyo Genpatsu Won
2019 The Blood of Wolves Won
Zenkoku Eiren Awards 1997 Best Actor Shall We Dance? Won
2013 Chronicle of My Mother' Won
2018 Best Supporting Actor The Third Murder Won
2022 Best Actor Under the Open Sky Won

References
  1. "役所広司". Warner Bros. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  2. "Yakusho Kōji", Nihon jinmei daijiten+Plus, Kōdansha, retrieved 13 February 2012
  3. Jonathan Crow (2013). "Koji Yakusho". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  4. "Festival de Cannes: The Eel". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  5. "The Eel:Passion That Seethes Under the Surface". New York Times. 21 August 1998. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  6. "Masayuki Suo's Whole Wide Whirl". San Francisco Chronicle. 13 July 1997.
  7. "Shall We Dance?". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  8. Mes, Tom (15 August 2001). "Midnight Eye review: License to Live". Midnight Eye.
  9. Kipp, Jeremiah (20 June 2005). "Pulse". Slant Magazine.
  10. Mes, Tom (15 April 2004). "Midnight Eye review: Doppelgänger". Midnight Eye.
  11. Bourne, Christopher (27 January 2012). "Review: Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Retribution"". Meniscus.
  12. Rafferty, Terrence (6 March 2009). "This Time, the Horror's in the Normality". The New York Times.
  13. "Review: Babel". LA Weekly. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  14. "Yakusho Koji portrays WWII naval commander Yamamoto Isoroku". TokyoGraph. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  15. "役所広司、西川美和監督と初タッグ！ 仲野太賀、長澤まさみら共演「すばらしき世界」21年公開". eiga.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  16. "映画「バイプレイヤーズ」の新キャスト8名解禁！有村架純、天海祐希、役所広司ら". Natalie. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  17. "役所広司、3度目の細田守監督作品に参加 『竜とそばかすの姫』主人公の父親役". Oricon. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  18. "峠 最後のサムライ". eiga.com. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  19. "役所広司出演『Perfect Days』カンヌ国際映画祭正式出品". Cinema Cafe. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  20. "役所広司と吉沢亮が父子に「ファミリア」公開！松重豊、MIYAVI、佐藤浩市ら共演". Natalie. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  21. "役所広司主演『銀河鉄道の父』映画化 菅田将暉が坊主頭で宮沢賢治役 森七菜が妹に". Oricon. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  22. "役所広司＆石橋静河＆光石研ら、小林聡美と2人芝居「ペンションメッツァ」". Cinema Cafe. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  23. "役所広司 テレ朝「女系家族」に特別出演 遺産相続争い発端の当主・矢島嘉蔵役". Sponichi. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  24. "役所広司、Netflixシリーズ初主演　福島第一原発事故の真実に迫る『THE DAYS』配信決定". Crank-in!. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  25. "堺雅人、阿部寛、二階堂ふみ、松坂桃李、役所広司が豪華共演 7月期TBS日曜劇場『VIVANT』放送決定". Crank-in!. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  26. "バンド・オブ・ブラザース". Warner Bros. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  27. ""紫綬褒章"役所広司、女優陣の祝福に感無量". Oricon. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  28. "第46回報知映画賞ノミネート決定". PR Times. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
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