Mizoguchi Kenji

(1898-1956). World-renowned film director whose more than 80 feature films made him the dean of Japanese directors. Born in Tokyo. His films are characterized by long takes, fluid camerawork and beautiful mise-en-scene, and he often dealt with the theme of a woman's sacrifice for a man's success or for the sake of the family. Several of his films won international prizes after World War II. Notable works include Naniwa erejii (1936, Osaka Elegy), Gion no shimai (1936, Sisters of the Gion), Yoru no onnatachi (1948, Women of the Night), Saikaku ichidai onna (1952, The Life of Oharu), Ugetsu monogatari (1953, Ugetsu), Sanshō-Dayū (1954, Sanshō the Bailiff or The Bailiff), and Akasen chitai (1956, Street of Shame). (adapted from Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993)