Photo: 朝日新聞社 / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
To me, Takashi Shimura is the structural backbone of Kurosawa's cinema. Appearing in 21 of the director's 30 films, more than any other actor, he anchored Ikiru, Seven Samurai, Rashomon and Drunken Angel with a face that wore human frailty and dignity at once. He was never a flashy leading man; instead he made weariness and resolve quietly devastating. Over 200 films and a Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon barely capture his reach. If the word 'great actor' means something distinct from 'star,' Shimura is the proof. He remains, for me, a treasure of Japanese film.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Takashi Shimura
- Name (Japanese)
- 志村喬
- Reading
- 不明
- Born
- March 12, 1905 – February 11, 1982
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Snake
- Origin
- Asago, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- 163 cm
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- film actor / actor / stage actor / television actor / radio drama actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Kansai University
Awards & achievements
- 1974 Medal with Purple Ribbon
- Mainichi Film Award for Best Actor
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Drunken Angel | — | |
| Notable work | Stray Dog | — | |
| Notable work | The Quiet Duel | — | |
| Notable work | Rashomon | — | |
| Notable work | Ikiru | — |
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BF%97%E6%9D%91%E5%96%AC
Frequently asked questions
When was Takashi Shimura born?
March 12, 1905 – February 11, 1982.
Where is Takashi Shimura from?
Takashi Shimura is from Asago, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
What does Takashi Shimura do?
Takashi Shimura works as film actor, actor, stage actor, television actor, radio drama actor.
How tall is Takashi Shimura?
Takashi Shimura is 163 cm.
What is Takashi Shimura known for?
Notable works include Drunken Angel, Stray Dog, The Quiet Duel.
Film actor — see all → · Actor — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.