Yōji Yamada
Japanese film director and screenwriter · Japan · On the map · Directors · Born 1931 · age 95
Yoji Yamada is a Japanese filmmaker best known for his film series Otoko wa Tsurai yo and the Samurai Trilogy. He has directed 91 films, and is well regarded by critics around the world. His Tora-san series holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running film series starring the same actor.
Yōji Yamada is read about 565 times a day, in 20 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 10 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 411 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
2025
Tokyo TaxiFilm, Director, Writer2021
It's a Flickering LifeFilm, Director, Writer2016
What a Wonderful Family!Film, Director, Writer2014
The Little HouseFilm, Director, Writer2012Order of CultureAward2008
Kabei: Our MotherFilm, Director, Writer2004Person of Cultural MeritAward
The Hidden BladeFilm, 2004Director, Writer2002Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best DirectorAwardOrder of the Rising Sun, 4th classAward2000Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1996Asahi PrizeAwardMedal with Purple RibbonAward
A Class to Remember IIFilm, 1996Director, Writer1988
Downtown HeroesFilm, Director, Writer1983
I Lived, But...Film1978Blue Ribbon Awards for Best DirectorAwardMainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1977
The Yellow HandkerchiefFilm, Director, Writer1975Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1974Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1973
Tora-san Loves an ArtistFilm, Director, Writer1972Kikuchi Kan PrizeAward1971Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward
Tora-san, the Good SamaritanFilm, 1971Director, Writer1968
I, the ExecutionerFilm, Writer1967Blue Ribbon Awards for Best DirectorAward1961
Zero FocusFilm, Writer1931Born13 September 1931
Tokyo TaxiFilm, Director, Writer2021It's a Flickering LifeFilm, Director, Writer2016What a Wonderful Family!Film, Director, Writer2014The Little HouseFilm, Director, Writer2012Order of CultureAward2008Kabei: Our MotherFilm, Director, Writer2004Person of Cultural MeritAwardThe Hidden BladeFilm, 2004Director, Writer2002Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best DirectorAwardOrder of the Rising Sun, 4th classAward2000Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1996Asahi PrizeAwardMedal with Purple RibbonAwardA Class to Remember IIFilm, 1996Director, Writer1988Downtown HeroesFilm, Director, Writer1983I Lived, But...Film1978Blue Ribbon Awards for Best DirectorAwardMainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1977The Yellow HandkerchiefFilm, Director, Writer1975Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1974Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAward1973Tora-san Loves an ArtistFilm, Director, Writer1972Kikuchi Kan PrizeAward1971Mainichi Film Award for Best ScreenplayAwardTora-san, the Good SamaritanFilm, 1971Director, Writer1968I, the ExecutionerFilm, Writer1967Blue Ribbon Awards for Best DirectorAward1961Zero FocusFilm, Writer1931Born13 September 1931People around Yōji
Close ties
Takashi Shimura Yōji directed Otoko wa Tsurai yo (1969)
Yu Aoi Yōji directed Tokyo Family, Otōto and Tokyo Taxi
Chieko Baishō Yōji directed The Yellow Handkerchief (1978)
Chishū Ryū Yōji directed Otoko wa Tsurai yo and Kazoku
Kiyoshi Atsumi Yōji directed The Yellow Handkerchief (1978)
Sayuri Yoshinaga Yōji directed Haha to Kuraseba (2015)
Kumiko Goto Yōji directed Tora-san, My Uncle (1989)
Kunie Tanaka Yōji directed The Hidden Blade (2004)
Ruriko Asaoka Yōji directed Tora-san's Forget Me Not (1973)
Hidetaka Yoshioka Yōji directed The Hidden Blade (2004)
Nenji Kobayashi Yōji directed The Twilight Samurai (2002)
Jun Miho Yōji directed Marriage Counselor Tora-san (1984)
Takashi Sasano Yōji directed Love and Honor (2007)
Masami Shimojō Yōji directed Tora-san Plays Cupid (1977)
Gin Maeda Also in Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp (1969)
Masakane Yonekura Yōji directed The Little House (2014)
Kazuko Yoshiyuki Yōji directed Tokyo Family and The Little House
Satoshi Tsumabuki Yōji directed Tokyo Family and The Little House
Jun Fubuki Also in Tokyo Family (2013)
Yui Natsukawa Yōji directed Tokyo Family and The Little House
Isao Hashizume Also in Tokyo Family and The Little House
Hisashi Igawa Yōji directed Otoko wa Tsurai yo and Kazoku
Tatsuo Matsumura Also in I, the Executioner (1968)
Tomoko Nakajima Yōji directed Tokyo Family and The Little House
Known for
View all 40 titles
The Twilight Samurai 2002
Love and Honor 2006
The Hidden Blade 2004
Tokyo Family 2013
The Castle of Sand 1974
Filmography 40
289 credits on file
Media & music
Photos 1
Awards
About this person
Country
Japan
Category
Directors
Type
Movie Director
Status
Living
Dates
Born 1931 · age 95
