Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano on born January 18, 1947 in Umejima, Adachi, Tokyo) is a Japanese filmmaker, comedian, actor, film editor, presenter, screenwriter, author, poet, painter, and one-time video game designer who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his highly idiosyncratic cinematic work. With the exception of his works as a film director, he is known almost exclusively by the name Beat Takeshi. Since April 2005, he has been a professor at the Graduate School of Visual Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. Kitano owns his own talent agency and production company, Office Kitano, which launched Tokyo Filmex in 2000.
Some of Kitano’s earlier films are dramas about Yakuza gangsters or the police, described by critics as using an acting style that is highly deadpan or a camera style that approaches near-stasis. He often uses long takes where nothing appears to be happening, or editing that cuts immediately to the aftermath of an event. Many of his films express a bleak or nihilistic philosophy, but they are also filled with a great deal of humor and affection for their characters. Kitano’s films leave paradoxical impressions and can seem controversial. While formally disguised as dark comedies or gangster movies, his films raise moral questions and provide food for thought.
The Japanese public knows him primarily as a TV host and comedian, and he is well remembered for the leading role of the comedy show Oretachi Hyōkin-zoku (1981–1989) and for the game show Takeshi’s Castle (1986–1989). His portrayal of Zatōichi in the 2003 movie is his biggest domestic commercial success.
Kitano is the youngest of Kikujiro Kitano and Saki Kitano’s four children. He has two brothers, Shigekazi Kitano and Masaru Kitano, and a sister, Yasuko Kitano. Masaru is a commentator, tarento, and professor at Meiji University. He has appeared in several Japanese television shows.
Kitano married Mikiko Kitano in 1978. She is a former manzai comedian. Together they have a son, Atsushi Kitano, and a daughter, Shoko Kitano. Shoko is a former singer and actress. She made her debut as a singer (produced by X Japan co-founder Yoshiki Hayashi) and also appeared as “Shoko Matsuda” (Matsuda was her mother’s maiden name) in her father’s film Hana-bi in 1997.
