Photo: Gorup de Besanez / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Jūzō Itami was listed as an actor, film director and essayist. Born on May 15, 1933, Jūzō Itami was from Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Death is recorded on December 20, 1997, at the age of 64. Awards on record include Mainichi Film Award for Best Screenplay (1988), Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Director (1985) and Mainichi Film Award for Best Director. The listed height was 180 cm.
My Take
Juzo Itami is, to me, proof that a late start can be the most explosive. Already accomplished as an actor, essayist and designer, he didn't direct until his fifties, then unleashed The Funeral, A Taxing Woman and Minbo, films that aimed their satire straight at taxes, funerals and organized crime, subjects most filmmakers avoid. He turned society's sore spots into sharp, funny, fearless entertainment, and the wit of his essays runs right through them. He died in 1997, but the award bearing his name still champions new talent. I regard him as a genuine treasure of Japanese cinema.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Jūzō Itami
- Name (Japanese)
- 伊丹十三
- Reading
- いたみ じゅうぞう
- Born
- May 15, 1933 – December 20, 1997
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Rooster
- Origin
- Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
- Height
- 180 cm
- Occupation
- actor / film director / essayist / graphic designer / illustrator
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1988 Mainichi Film Award for Best Screenplay
- 1985 Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Director
- Mainichi Film Award for Best Director
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Funeral | — | |
| Notable work | A Taxing Woman | — | |
| Notable work | Minbo | — | |
| Notable work | Supermarket Woman | — | |
| Notable work | Woman in Witness Protection | — |
4. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juzo%20Itami
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BC%8A%E4%B8%B9%E5%8D%81%E4%B8%89
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1325171
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Jūzō Itami born?
Born May 15, 1933.
When did Jūzō Itami die?
Died December 20, 1997, aged 64.
Where was Jūzō Itami from?
Jūzō Itami was from Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
What did Jūzō Itami do?
Jūzō Itami worked as actor, film director, essayist, graphic designer, illustrator.
How tall was Jūzō Itami?
Jūzō Itami was 180 cm.
What was Jūzō Itami known for?
Notable works include The Funeral, A Taxing Woman, Minbo.
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