Questions to Shiro Mifune
click
here for more about Robert's 2nd trip to Mifune Productions
Click
here
for Ame Agaru (After the Rain), where Shiro Mifune has a leading role.
I met with Shiro-san on April 28, 2000.
I had many questions from fans and asked Shiro most of them. If
there
is anyone that sent me a question that wasn't asked, it may have been
accidentally
omitted or purposely omitted. If concerned, please feel free to
send
an inquiry to me. This page is divided by the people that asked
the
questions in alphabetical order of the first names. The actual
wording
of some of the questions may have been changed for uniformity.
Last
names will not be used. If requested, I will put in full names or
whatever the person would like. For those new to this site, there
is more information about Mifune/Kurosawa in "FAQ
about anything to Robert", "Comments
/ Requests to Robert" and on the
complete
menu at the top of the page.
Questions from Anonymous #1
Questions from Anonymous
#2
Question from David D.
Questions from David S.
Question from Derik
Questions from Georgie San
Question from John
Q: I found a quote from Shiro on the
Tokyo International Film Festival news page where he was asked to act
in
a movie after 28 years. He said he acted with his feelings for
his
father and mother. I wonder what he meant by that and whether he
might be willing to elaborate. [Anonymous #1]
A: I
asked
Shiro this question and somehow our conversation drifted into something
else-- but I do believe the quote is correct.
- Q: If I'm not being to
intrusive,
What was Toshiro Mifune's wife's name? And also what was his
other
(younger) son's name? [Anonymous #1]
A: For some reason I didn't feel
comfortable
asking Shiro his mother's name-- I can find out from other
sources.
Shiro's younger brother's name is Takeshi.
- Q: Are there any plans to
re-release his
father's other classic films like Samurai Assassin, Rebellion, Rickshaw
Man, Band of Assassins, Red Lion, Chushingura? (in "art" theatres in
the
States)? [Anonymous #2]
A: Shiro
doesn't know, but he suggested contacting the Japan Film Center in the
Japan Society of New York City at 333 East 47th Street, NY 10017.
From your letter, it seems you are already in touch with them.
Q: Has he considered working
with
Takeshi"Beat" Kitano on producing a biographical film of Mifune
Sr.?
(Kitano is a big fan) [Anonymous #2]
A: Shiro said Beat Takeshi and his
father
had never met. As far as I could make out, Shiro hasn't thought
about
this.
Q: Has his father's long time
friend
Mr. Sagisu finished his book on Mifune? Who is publishing
it?
Does he have an English-language publisher? [Anonymous #2]
A: Shiro doesn't know when or even if the
book by Mr. Sagisu will be finished. Shiro said that a Stuart
Galbraith
IV had contacted him about a book he was writing. And I
remembered
that I had gotten an e-mail from this gentleman a while back.
This
letter to me should give you some insight into what is happening.
Dear Mr.
Baer:
I am the author of three books on
Japanese
cinema, including The Japanese Filmography (McFarland, 1995). I am
presently
working on a joint biography of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune,
which
is being published by Faber & Faber. This book is scheduled to be
published
in mid-2000.
This is the first complete biography
of either
Mr. Kurosawa or Mr. Mifune ever published in English. Mostly, it will
discuss
the production of the films they made together and separately, how they
were produced and subsequently received in Japan and abroad, and will
analyze
the films, their cast and crews beyond the mainly literary approach
utilized
by Mr. Richie in his excellent The Films of Akira Kurosawa. I am
especially
excited that this book will cover in detail? Mr. Kurosawafs
career
as an assistant director, the screenplays he wrote for other directors,
his unrealized films (such as Runaway Train and Tora! Tora! Tora!) as
well
as his non-movie related projects.
As for Mr. Mifune, the book will
provide extensive
coverage of his films for other directors, addressing in detail many
features
which have never been shown in the United States, how he came to form
and
operate his own production company, his television appearances, and the
films he abroad, beginning with an in-depth analysis of the
Mexican-made
Animas Trujano: El Hombre Importante (1961).
I am writing because, obviously, I
would very
much like to interview you about your association with Mr. Mifune and
his
acting school. This interview can be done by telephone or mail at your
convenience.
Thank you for your consideration, and
I look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Stuart Galbraith IV
Q: Would you show Shiro the
interview
with Soren-Johnson the director of the film Mifune that talks about it
as a tribute to Mifune? (The film was nominated for an Academy
Award,
but didn't win. We saw it, and it had a delightful scene where
one
of the brothers imitates Mifune as Kikuchiyo - Seven Samurai.
Very
good likeness! The voice that is!) [Anonymous #2]
A: I don't know this movie or the
interview,
but Shiro had seen the movie. He told me it was a Danish movie
and
showed me some pamphlets about it. Everything was in a language I
couldn't read (Danish?), but there were pictures from the movie and
Shiro
gave me some idea of what it was about. When I asked him what he
thought about the movie, he said it was "maa maa." Which would mean it
wasn't a bad movie, but it didn't really impress him.
Q: By the way, you were asked
about
the causes of Mifune's death. We'd read articles that mentioned
cardiac
problems and liver disease. We also read a reference to
Alzheimers.
[Anonymous #2]
A: Sorry, I wouldn't have felt
comfortable
talking with him about this. I would go with what you have read,
unless it is pure hearsay. It sounds about pretty much what I
have
heard from other sources.
Q: Could you ask Mr. Mifune if
he knows
where I can obtain a copy of the 1964-65 version of Judo Saga in which
his father portrayed Jigaro Kano. I think the movie is also
called
Sanjuro Sugata. It is the 64-65 version and not the 1941 version
which we already have. We have tried many
avenues
of trying to find this movie but have not been able to locate it. [David
D. ( http://www.shuyokan.com )]
A: According to Shiro, there is no
video
of this movie.
Q: Mr. Red-Baer I would also
love
to receive via e-mail a close up picture of Toshiro Mifune as a Lion
Dancer
with a red wig. I also will like to see pictures of you with Mr. Shiro
Mifune. [David S.]
A: I asked Shiro this and he
brought
out a video called Red Lion. The picture you want was on the
video
case and I took a picture of the video case-- not the best picture
there
is, but it is the picture you want. You can find this and the
picture
of Shiro and myself by clicking
here
for more about Robert's 2nd trip to Mifune Productions. If
you
don't know how to download the pictures to your computer, e-mail me and
I will tell you how to do it.
Q: I've been told that actor
Tatsuya
Nakadai also teaches acting in Japan. I would like to send him a
letter, and was wondering if you happen to know the address for the
school
he teaches at? [Derik]
A: I put this question and answer
on
the Questions to Robert Red-Baer page. The
last question on this page from John is very similar-- you might
want
to look at it.
Q: Does Mifune Productions
still own
the Japanese rights to ANIMAS TRUJANO? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro wasn't sure.
Q: The military friend
that Mifune
San stayed with in Tokyo when he was repatriated, was it possibly
Sagisu
San? [Georgie San]
A: It was Nenji Oyama, a TOHO
cameraman.
Q: Does your brother, Mifune
Takeshi
San still own and operate the restaurant your Father built in Munich in
the early 1970's? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro's brother, Takeshi has had
nothing to do with the restaurant. Takeshi owns a Marina (I think
he said it was in Japan). Shiro's half sister Mika's elder
brother
owned the restaurant up until about two years ago (1998?) when he sold
it.
Q: In a 14, July, 1986 UPI
INTERNATIONAL
article, the interviewer, who is not identified, states there was an
Oscar
for RASHOMON on the mantelpiece in your Father's penthouse. Was
it
actually for RASHOMON or was it for SAMURAI, THE LEGEND OF MUSASHI
which
won in the same category in 1955? If it is permitted, how did he
come to receive it? [Georgie San]
A: This was difficult for me as I
didn't
have much background information. When I asked, or actually
showed
Shiro your question. He brought the trophy for the Grand Prize
from
the Venice Film Festival (Rashomon) out of the trophy case and I held
it.
But he said it wasn't the real trophy-- the real trophy was given to
the
now defunct Daiei movie company. He doesn't know where the real
trophy
is now. I saw (but didn't ask about) two oscars in the
showcase.
I would assume one was for RASHOMON and the other for SAMURAI, THE
LEGEND
OF MUSASHI. Whether either of them or both of them are the actual
Oscar given at the awards ceremony, I don't know. And I don't
really
know what was on the mantlepiece. I think I need a course in
Journalism.
From the list of his father's movies that Shiro gave me, (I will later
put in my site), both movies received (I only have it in Japanese,
Honor
Prize- someone help me on this). Shiro said that probably Hiroshi
Inagaki, the director of SAMURAI, THE LEGEND OF MUSASHI has the actual
Oscar-- or maybe TOHO movie company.
Q: TO SHIRO: Do you
still own
the penthouse & the home not far from the condo building that this
author mentioned? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro said they never had a
penthouse.
I am curious as to the place the author had visited.
Q: TO SHIRO: While you
were
growing up, what principles your Father conveyed impacted you the most
and continue to influence the way you live your life? [Georgie San]
A: This seemed a difficult question
for Shiro to answer and difficult for me to remember if there was an
exact
answer as our conversation drifted off into other places. As is
common
in Japan, questions can be answered without ever knowing the
answer.
I know that Shiro didn't want to be known as "the son of Toshiro
Mifune,"
he wanted to advance on his own merits. Even now, in modern Japan
it is the oldest son's responsibility to take charge of the family
fortunes
and/or misfortunes when the parents get old. Since his father
became
ill, Shiro has had his share of both-- unfortunately mostly misfortunes.
Q: In public your Father
exemplified
the reserved, sophisticated businessman. What was he like at home
out of the public eye? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro said his father was a
strict
parent. I didn't want to push this question very much, because I
am not sure of what was happening in his family while his father had a
mistress.
Q: TO SHIRO: Calligraphy
apart, did
your father ever work in any mediums as an artist? [Georgie San]
A: When he (Toshiro Mifune) was
young
he did some oil paintings. He was very talented and the paintings
were very good. Unfortunately, they have all gone to places
unknown.
Q: Did your father
play any
musical instruments? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro said that before he was
born
his father used to sometimes play a guitar at parties. Shiro
himself
never saw his father play a musical instrument.
Q: TO SHIRO: Your
father
appeared to be short sighted in his left eye. Is this observation
correct? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro said he didn't know.
His father became nearsighted with age as many people do.
Q: TO SHIRO: In HELL IN THE
PACIFIC,
your father was very slim, but retained flawless muscular
definition.
What system did he use to reduce his physique for this role? [Georgie
San]
A: Shiro said that he probably
dieted.
Q: TO SHIRO: Terrance Young
has stated
he remembers your father's cooking. What were his favourite
specialties?
[Georgie San]
A: Shiro only remembers his father
doing
a barbecue, but his father loved Chinese food and they ate a lot of it.
Q: TO SHIRO: In RED
SUN,
your father gave the stallion he rode directions with sounds and
mounted/dismounted
from the right. The saddle & bridle were obviously custom
tooled.
Were this horse & equipment his own? [Georgie San]
A: Shiro said that RED SUN was
filmed
in Spain (I think that is what he said) and neither the horse or the
other
equipment belonged to his father.
Q: I'd really like a
chance to
meet to meet Mr. Nakadai, if possible, so if by chance Mr. Mifune knows
anything about Mr. Nakadai's academy and doesn't feel Mr. Nakadai would
mind a fan letter and possibly a handshake someday, I'd appreciate
hearing.
The same goes for Mr. Mifune himself...I assume he'd rather avoid lots
of fan contact, but if it were ever convenient for him I'd sure enjoy
saying
how much I enjoyed his recent film to him directly. [John]
A: This turned out to be a very
interesting
question. Shiro told me that when his father and Nakadai were in
movies together, his father always played the kind of hero and Nakadai
always played kind of the bad guy-- and it seemed to be a comfortable
relationship.
Then in one movie the roles were reversed and in the middle of the
shooting
Toshiro Mifune and Nakadai had some kind of arguement and the movie was
never completed. I asked Shiro if that was the last movie the two
ever acted in together and it seemed he wasen't sure-- but I am pretty
sure it was at least their last (planned) major movie together.
Maybe
someone out there knows if it was or not. Shiro seemed to feel
his
father's thing about Nakadai. He told me the name of Nakadai's
school
(Mumei Juku), but didn't go out of his way to give me an address or
telephone
number or anything-- on most other things Shiro really did go out of
his
way for these type of questions.
You might also want to check a similar
question
I have from Derik where I will also put
the
telephone number and address for Nakadai's school as soon as I find out.
If the time is appropriate, there is
also a
chance for me to introduce you (or other fans) to Shiro Mifune if you
happen
to be in the Tokyo area. I am sure he wouldn't mind if he is free.
