G-FEST Day 2

Above, Jessica Tseang, Toshio Miike and interpreter Mariko Horikawa. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Right now, I am taking a breather from walking around G-FEST and attending this morning's sessions on the 60th anniversary Mothra vs. Godzilla (also known as Godzilla vs, The Thing), an interview with production designer Toshio Miike and an interview with Rie Ota, who played Baragon in Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. 

While attending the Toshio Miike interview session, J. D. Lees and I caught up on the latest happenings in the world of kaiju and other stuff.

Naturally, I took some photos of the various proceedings, most of which are for G-FAN.

Above, the Mothra vs. Godzilla session attendees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Jessica Tseang and Rie Ota. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Godzilla Attacks Nagoya's Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER

Another Godzilla-related attraction has opened in Japan. 

This time, it is the Chubu Electric MIRAI Tower in Nagoya. The tower has been featured in several Godzilla movies over the years.

According to News On Japan:

NAGOYA, Jun 23 (News On Japan) - Godzilla has emerged from the water in front of the Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER in Nagoya's Hisaya-odori Park, with menacing eyes and sharp fangs giving the impression it is about to leap...

The connection between Godzilla and the MIRAI TOWER dates back to June 20, 1954, when the tower first opened as Nagoya TV Tower. Modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the 180-meter-tall structure was often called the 'Eiffel Tower of the East.' Upon its opening, it attracted large crowds and even hosted aerial weddings. In 2008, it was designated a 'Lover’s Sanctuary,' popular with couples, especially in winter.

After temporary closures due to major earthquakes, the tower was renovated and reopened in September 2020. Last year, it was recognized as an Important Cultural Property, and this year it celebrates its 70th anniversary. Alongside the tower, Godzilla has also marked significant milestones, sharing a history with the structure since the release of its first film in 1954.

Inside the MIRAI TOWER, a special exhibit showcases the intertwined history of the tower and Godzilla over the past 70 years. The exhibit highlights the tower’s appearances in various Godzilla films, including ‘Mothra vs. Godzilla.’ Visitors can see that the tower has been destroyed by Godzilla three times in the movies.

To read more, go here. 

Haruo Nakajima's Passing, 6th Anniversary

Above, Haruo Nakajima taking a break during the filming of Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964). Toho Co., Ltd. photo.

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the passing of the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima.

It is hard to believe that six years have flown by since his passing. We are fortunate that he still lives through his work on film. 

Above, Haruo Nakajima and yours truly at the Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, North Carolina
 in 2013 as we were filmed for Gfantis DEATHGAME. This was likely his last bit of acting.
 

Kenji Sahara Turns 91 Today

Above, Kenji Sahara and yours truly at G-FEST in 2009.

One of the few remaining actors of Toho's Godzilla Showa era is celebrating his 91st birthday today.

From Wikipedia:

Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二 Sahara Kenji) (born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. His birth name is Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好 Katō Masayoshi). Initially he used the name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956).

Sahara did a lot of work for the Toho Company, the studio that so far has produced 28 Godzilla movies. He appeared in more of the Godzilla series than any other actor.

Also, he is the actor who was often relied on in most of the films by Directors Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya.

He has appeared in many supporting roles.

Sahara is famous as a mainstay of Toho special-effects movies and the Ultraman series.

I can see why he was relied upon to perform in so many Toho productions. He was effective as an engineer with temporary amnesia in Rodan; a nerdy inventor in Monster Zero; a crooked businessman in Mothra vs. Godzilla; and as another inventor in King Kong vs. Godzilla. He appeared as a scientist in Godzilla Final Wars (2004).

A big Happy Birthday to Kenji Sahara!

Nagoya Seeking Donations To Rebuild Nagoya Castle

Above, Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima) is about to demolish Nagoya Castle in
 Mothra vs. Godzilla (a.k.a. Godzilla vs. The Thing). Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

Nagoya Castle is about to be demolished again. Not by the U.S. (as was the case during World War II) or by Godzilla (as was the case in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)). It is to be dismantled so that a wooden version can be built on the site.

The Japan Times reported:

NAGOYA – The city of Nagoya will start accepting donations Friday to finance a restoration project that will re-create the original wooden structure of Nagoya Castle’s main tower. 

The city aims to collect ¥10 billion through its Kinshachi donation campaign, which is named after the two statues of the kin no shachihoko (golden tiger-headed fish) on the roof of the castle’s donjon. 

Those who donate ¥1 million or more will be entitled to enter Nagoya Castle free of charge for 30 years. The city aims to complete the restoration in 2022 at a maximum cost of ¥50.5 billion. 

“We can expect donations not only from Nagoya but also from all over the world,” Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura said at a news conference last Monday.
About ¥10 million has been already donated, according to the city.

The current Nagoya Castle was constructed in 1959 in reinforced concrete.

To read more, go here.

Nagoya Castle: Enter At Your Own Risk

Above, Godzilla approaches a miniature of Nagoya Castle. Photo signed by Haruo Nakajima.

Nagoya Castle is deteriorating, according to the city's mayor. He wants to repair/restore it, but has met with opposition in the city's legislature.

According to Kyodo News:

The Nagoya municipal government on Friday took the unusual step of posting a warning to tourists that they enter Nagoya Castle's tower structure at their own risk due to the building being in danger of collapse in a strong earthquake. 

Three signs were installed within the castle grounds to warn of the risk of entering the multistory building, whose concrete is degrading and therefore lacks resistance to temblors, according to the city. 

The idea of the warning signs came from Mayor Takashi Kawamura, who is frustrated with a lack of progress in restoration work due to opposition from the city assembly. The city is hoping to restore the castle's tower, rebuilt in 1959 and which has two fish-like golden ornaments on the roof, with wood.

Godzilla fans are familiar with Nagoya Castle as it was featured, and demolished, by Godzilla in 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (known here as Godzilla vs. The Thing).

To read more, go here.

A History of Godzilla Special Effects

Above, Haruo Nakajima taking a break during the filming
 of Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964). Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

For a 62 year-old character, Godzilla is showing no signs of letting up. Despite his age, he is only getting better.

Inverse.com has an article on the progression of special effects techniques that have been and are being used to bring the Big G to cinematic life.

They start with:

Godzilla has been gracing our screens for more than 60 years. We’ve watched the monster ravage whole cities and fight some memorable adversaries over the years, and thanks to the franchise’s long run, we’ve also seen in these films the progression of cinema history. In particular, the special effects techniques that bring Godzilla to life have changed considerably, from a man in a rubber suit stomping around tiny-Tokyo to miniatures and CG visual effects. With the franchise’s latest film, Shin Godzilla, now in American theaters, Inverse revisits the monster’s significant effects legacy.

To read the article, go here. 

Baggage Forwarding Service Frees Up Japan Tourists

Above, our train to Osaka arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last year, when we visited Japan, our original plan was to go from Atami to Osaka with a quick stopover in Nagoya to see Nagoya Castle (featured in Mothra vs. Godzilla in 1964).

What stopped that idea was that I was unsure (despite much checking around) that Nagoya Station had lockers or facilities to store our luggage while we were wandering around. I also considered a luggage forwarding service. I inquired with the innkeeper at the ryokan we stayed at in Atami if such a service were available. Well, I didn't get much of a response, so we dropped the idea of stopping in Nagoya. Who wants to drag around big suitcases while exploring?

But, as you can see from the following snippet by News On Japan, baggage forwarding services are growing in Japan.

They wrote:

A growing number of service centers support "hands-free tourism," accepting baggage such as suitcases and souvenirs and delivering them to accommodation facilities and airports on the same day. 

Although the service is geared toward foreign tourists visiting Japan, it is also available for use by Japanese people.Why not give it a try if you're planning to travel domestically? 

In the spring of 2014, Sagawa Express Co. opened its Tokyo Service Center in Tokyo Station. From early in the morning, tourists hauling large suitcases visit the center one after another. In addition to storing baggage at a daily rate of ¥800, they also deliver baggage to Haneda Airport or any ryokan or hotel within Tokyo's 23 wards on the same day if it is brought in by 11 a.m.

To read more, go here.

Nagoya Castle Wall Getting 1st Restoration In 300 Years

Above, Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima) about to demolish Nagoya Castle.  
No, this isn't the reason for the resoration. Toho Co., Ltd. photo.

A restoration project at Nagoya Castle is in full swing. Restoration work on a stretch of the castle's stone wall has begun.

According to The Japan Times:

NAGOYA – The ongoing renovation of “ishigaki” stone walls surrounding Nagoya Castle has gotten into full swing, with a 123-meter stretch of the 15-meter-high stone wall being removed so far. 

In one of the country’s largest such renovation projects and the first at Nagoya Castle in 300 years, workers have so far discovered signatures engraved in the stones that identify lords who helped establish the fortifications. 

Nagoya Castle, including the surrounding stone wall, is registered as a national special historic site. The stone wall was last restored around the end of the 17th century, according to a 1682 document.

Nagoya Castle is familiar to Godzilla fans as it was featured in 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (released in the U.S. as Godzilla vs. The Thing).

To read more, go here. 

Nagoya Castle Structures Restored

Above, Godzilla (photo signed by Haruo Nakajima) approaches Nagoya Castle in 1964. Photo: Toho Co., Ltd.
and part of collection of Armand Vaquer.

Structures at Nagoya Castle have been restored for the first time in 70 years and a ceremony was held Thursday with Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura in attendance.

The restored structures included the entrance and reception room of the main residential building.

According to News On Japan:

The Honmaru Palace was built in the early Edo Period in the early 17th century as a residence and office of Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first feudal lord of the Owari Domain. 

The building was designated a national treasure in 1930, but was destroyed in the 1945 air raids by the US air force.

Nagoya Castle was destroyed by Godzilla in 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (known in the U.S. as Godzilla vs. The Thing).  It is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 40.

To read more (a video is included), go here. 

Haruo Nakajima Mad Monster Party Panel Highlights

Above, Haruo Nakajima discusses his career as a monster suit-actor.
Photo by Jeff Blanken.

It has been a week since I got back to Los Angeles from the Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It was a big show with plenty of people attending and having a grand time.  Fortunately, the venue that held the convention, the Blake Hotel, was more than adequate to handle the hordes of monster fans.

On Sunday, March 24, the last day of the show, the panel discussion with Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima was held with yours truly moderating.  The ballroom was huge and the panel was well-attended with about 75% of the seats occupied.

Along with Haruo Nakajima and myself, we also had daughter Sonoe Nakajima and translator Yoko Connelly.  Sonoe assisted Yoko whenever she needed help in some of the kaiju names and other aspects of the movies she was unfamiliar with.

Prior to the panel, we went over the general points of the panel that I planned to cover.  Naturally, once the panel started, with very little prodding, Mr. Nakajima ran with the discussion.

Earlier in the morning, we tested the audio and video equipment in the ballroom.  The audio equipment worked fine (with Akira Ifukube's Godzilla tracks playing) as did the video equipment (at least during the test it did) to project stills.  When we had the panel discussion, the video equipment became uncooperative at times.

Above, the Haruo Nakajima panel.  From left, Armand Vaquer, Haruo Nakajima,
Yoko Connelly and Sonoe Nakajima.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Some of the highlights of the discussion were:

• Katsumi Tezuka and he were both chosen to play Godzilla in the 1954 original.  But Nakajima (age 25 at the time) had better endurance than Tezuka.  Tezuka could only last for about five meters in the suit before collapsing.  Nakajijma could go on to ten meters.  He said, "Strong is better than weak."

• Katsumi Tezuka went on to play Anguirus in the first sequel to Godzilla, Godzilla's Counter-Attack (or Godzilla Raids Again or Gigantis, The Fire Monster) in 1955, according to Nakajima.

• Fighting King Ghidorah was difficult as the heads and wings were all manipulated by wires (with a man inside the suit) making it seem to Nakajima that he was fighting a machine.  He would run at Ghidorah and bounce off as if hitting a wall.

• Nagoya Castle was accidentally demolished by a crew member and had to be rebuilt at a cost of $5,000 and a month's delay while filming Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964).

• Nakajima also said that the Godzilla suit did not get its head damaged during filming of Mothra vs. Godzilla (even though the upper jaw was jiggly during filming).  He said that was just a rumor originating from Godzilla fandom.

• He confirmed that he fell eight feet in the Rodan suit during filming of Rodan in 1956 when wires holding him snapped.  Fortunately, he was unhurt.

• He was so skillful in his suit performances that Toho had him choreograph the monster fights.  He pretty much had free reign while doing so.

• Before Toho went with smaller, mechanized Mothra caterpillars, he and several others were inside the caterpillar suit in Mothra (1961).  He was the lead person inside (at the head).  

• He was invited to act in Hollywood but had to turn down the offer as he was needed to make the next feature, King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).

Nakajima took some questions from the audience (we were scheduled for an hour in the room, but we went a little beyond that to take a few audience questions).  Here's a couple:

• One of the questioners asked his opinion on Hollywood's Godzilla efforts.  He said he hoped that the Legendary Pictures Godzilla (now filming in Vancouver, British Columbia) looks and acts like Godzilla.

• He was also asked what was it like to work for director Akira Kurosawa.  Nakajima said that whether one was a movie's star or just an extra, if Kurosawa didn't like his performance or felt that person didn't take the role seriously, he would tell him to "go home, I don't need you."  Then he would re-cast the role.

At the end of the panel, Nakajima received an appreciative standing-ovation by the attendees.

Fox Charlotte has a cool photo gallery.  To see it, go here.

Due For Friday Arrival For Pastor Tony Isabella

One of the things I needed to do once I returned home from Mad Monster Party was to mail the autographed photo of Haruo Nakajma to comic book writer, creator of Black Lightning, columnist and Godzilla fan Tony Isabella.  He bills himself as pastor of The First Church of Godzilla (Reform).

I accomplished this yesterday by going to the post office and mailing it to Tony.  It was a of Nakajima taking a break while filming the Frontier Missile scenes for 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (released here as Godzilla vs. The Thing).  I gave Tony a choice of photos and it is the one he chose.

After Nakajima signed it, I had him pose with the photo:

According to the post office, he will be getting it Friday.

UPDATE (3/28/13):  Tony Isabella reported,  "It arrived today. I am now officially the coolest damn kid on the block!"

Nagoya Castle To Be Demolished Again?

Above, Godzilla approaches Nagoya Castle in "Mothra vs. Godzilla" (1964). The photo was signed by Haruo Nakajima.

It was destroyed by U.S. air raids in 1945. It rebuilt and later destroyed by Godzilla in 1964. Now, it may be destroyed again by Nagoya city officials.

The City of Nagoya, Japan is considering rebuilding Nagoya Castle.

The Mainichi Daily News reports:

NAGOYA -- Local residents here showed mixed feelings during a public meeting over the weekend over a plan to rebuild Nagoya Castle from the current concrete structure into a wooden one to preserve its original state.

The Nagoya Municipal Government held the meeting at a civic hall on Feb. 19, in which some 160 local residents discussed the pros and cons of Mayor Takashi Kawamura's plans to transform Nagoya Castle into a wooden structure.

Founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the initiator of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867), Nagoya Castle was first completed in 1612. The structure, however, was destroyed by U.S. air raids in May 1945. The current castle tower was rebuilt in 1959.

Above, the real Nagoya Castle.

Nagoya Castle was featured (and demolished by Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima)) in the 1964 feature Mothra vs. Godzilla.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan covers Nagoya Castle on page 40.

To read the full article, go here.