Ozu is One of greatest Japanese directors as well as a screen writer. Here i introduce his 1. Biography, 2. Education received, 3. Influences from and toward others in the film industry, 4. Accomplishments, and 5. Reputation

1. Yasujiro Ozu
小津安二郎
By Prof.Wu

2. One of greatest
Japanese directors
Also a screen writer

3. Biography
1. Family Life Experience:
• Born 1903, Fukagawa 深川, Tokyo
• Later moved to Matzuzaka 松坂, Mie
• Remained bachelor, simple family life with mother
Paradox : Family subjects major topic in his films.
Examples : conflicts between generations,
growing teens’ complex, and marriage dilemma for
females being the sole child in family
• Served in military, including in Shanghai and
Singapore

4. 2. Education:
• Meiji nursery school
• Primary school
• Entered now Ujiyamada High School (Mie
Prefecture) in 1916 (age 13) and became
fascinated by films, especially Western movies
in this period
Important Turning point
of his life

5. 3.Influences :
• Experiencing Western films (Mostly American, some
Swedish) Modern filmmaking techniques,
however style not much influenced
• Minimalism: influenced by Japanese plain daily life,
shomingeki(庶民劇) Detailed depictions, large
portion of dialogues included, vague story lines,
ambiguity (=slightness) as in Japanese aesthetics,
“Japanese flavor”, creative style of plotting, positioning
(“tatami shot”), static style…
• Relatively unique. Stories mostly originated from his
own life experiences, wartime stories
• Appreciated and has a great impact on modern
Western directors

6. • Collaborators :
1. Kogo Noda (野田 高梧):
Japanese screenwriter.
Collaborated with Ozu in many films
including Sword of Penitence ,
Late Spring and An Autumn Afternoon
2. Setzuko Hara (原 節子):
Famous Japanese actress, known for elegance
and well developed acting skills.
Highly complimented by Ozu
3. Chisyu Ryu (笠 智衆) :
Famous Japanese actor, participated in
as many as 32 of Ozu’s films including
Late Spring, Early Summer, Tokyo Story, and
An Autumn Afternoon

7. 4. Accomplishments:
• Directed 53 films in total
• Year Events
1923 (20) Entered Shochiku Film Company (松竹株式会社)
1927 (24) Directed 1st film, Sword of Penitence (懺悔の刃)
1933 (30) Directed Silent Film Passing Fancy (出来ごころ)
1941 (38) Directed
Brothers and Sisters of the Todas (戸田家の兄妹)
1942 (39) Directed There Was a Father (父ありき）
1947 (44) His 1st film directed after WWll :
The Record of a Tenement Gentleman (長屋紳士録)

8. Year Accomplishments
1949 (46) Directed Late Spring (晩春), his 1st film collaborating
famous actress Setsuko Hara (原 節子)
1951 (48) Directed Early Summer (麦秋)
1952 (49) Directed The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice (お茶漬けの味),
recreated from originally banned 1939 script
1953 (50) Directed Tokyo Story (東京物語), cooperating with screenwriter
Kogo Noda (野田 高梧)
1958 (55) Directed Equinox Flower (彼岸花)
1962 (59) Directed An Autumn Afternoon (秋刀魚の味, "The Taste of
Mackerel Pike"), his final and culminating work.
Starring Keiji Sada and Chishu Ryu , famous actors.

9. 5. Reputation:
• Not well-known until release of his last film
An Autumn Afternoon
• Several film censored previously including The
Flavor of Green Tea over Rice
• According to Michael Atkinson, “Home With Ozu”,
described as “least sensational filmmaker of all
time”, but “still evoking new scholarship, igniting
theatrical retrospectives”, “most Japanese of
that nation’s great directors
• “One of very few cinema giants”
– Jean Renoir, French film director, author