[KineJapan] Tanaka Kunie

[Gerow Aaron]

The wonderful actor Tanaka Kunie has passed away at the age of 88. Training as an actor at the Haiyuza, Tanaka debuted in film in 1957 and appeared in films by Imai Tadashi and Kurosawa Akira before becoming a regular in youth films such as the Wakadaisho series. He was later a regular in yakuza films such as the Battles without Honor and Humanity series, but he became a national institution through his starring role in the long running TV drama Kita no Kuni kara. It seemed like every comedian had to do a Tanaka impersonation, pursing their lips and uttering "Jun!" I just showed one of the 2-hour episodes of Kita no kuni kara in class a couple of weeks ago and was reminded how great that series was. Tanaka also won awards for his acting in films by Yamada Yoji and Negishi Kichitaro​. He will be sorely missed.

https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/423003

Aaron Gerow
Professor
Film and Media Studies Program/East Asian Languages and Literatures
Chair, East Asian Languages and Literatures
Yale University
320 York Street, Room 108
PO Box 208201
New Haven, CT 06520-8201
USA
Phone: 1-203-432-7082
Fax: 1-203-432-6729
e-mail: aaron.gerow at yale.edu <mailto:aaron.gerow at yale.edu>
website: www.aarongerow.com



















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