Ryu, Chishu

▪ 1994

      Japanese actor (b. May 13, 1906, Tamamizu, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan—d. March 16, 1993, Yokohama, Japan), was one of Japan's most enduring character actors; he was best known for his long association with the acclaimed cinema director Yasujiro Ozu, having appeared in all but two of Ozu's 54 films. Ryu was the son of a Buddhist priest and was preparing to follow his father into the temple until 1925, when he abruptly quit to join the acting school at the Shochiku film studio in Tokyo. He played mainly bit parts at first, but after playing a small role in Ozu's second motion picture, Wakodo no yume (1928; "The Dreams of Youth"), he joined the director's stock company of actors. Ryu's subtle characterizations, low-key acting style, and on-screen air of benevolence and melancholy were used to advantage in Ozu's films, notably Chichi ariki (1942; "There Was a Father"), Banshun (1949; "Late Spring"), Tokyo monogatari (1953; Tokyo Story), and Samma no aji (1962; "An Autumn Afternoon"). After Ozu's death in 1963, Ryu worked with other directors, including Akira Kurosawa in Akahige (1965; Red Beard) and Dreams (1990). Between 1969 and 1991 Ryu played the recurring role of a kindly temple priest in the popular "Tora-san" series of some 45 sentimental comedies.

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