“Japanese critics have frequently dismissed Honda as worthy of consideration, regarding him merely as the director of entertainment films aimed at children. By contrast they have elevated Kurosawa to the status of national treasure. As for the men themselves, by all accounts Honda and Kurosawa had nothing but respect for one another’s work. Prospective studies of the history of Japanese cinema should therefore treat Honda’s direction of monster movies and Kurosawa’s interpretation of prestigious sources such as Shakespeare as equally deserving of serious discussion.” - Inuhiko Yomota

Another Christmas present, this time Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa. I’m a big fan of Godzilla (who isn’t?), but it’s exciting to have a book that’s about the director himself. Not only to read about his non daikaiju films like Matango and Half Human, but to read about the man himself.

Whether it’s Shigeru Mizuki, Akira Kurosawa or Masaki Kobayashi, some of these post-war mangaka and directors have life stories that are as exciting as their work. More than anything it’s interesting how their life experiences directly contribute to their creativity.

I’m real early in so far, but it’s great to read a book that places Honda in the context of Japanese cinema rather than as this offshoot monster movie guy. Having the input of Honda’s own family is a real interesting touch much like tim Lucas’s leg-breaking Mario Bava book.

You can buy Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa here, doing so helps this blog :)