Another Passing: Actress Isuzu Yamada Dead at 95

For any fan of Akira Kurosawa's films, we at American Mishima regret to announce the passing of legendary Actress Isuzu Yamada at the age of 95. She is best known for her portrayal one of the greatest female villains in Samurai film of all time as the manipulating Asaji - the Lady Macbeth character of Throne of Blood who later became the archetype for the treacherous all time manipulator Lady Kaede in Akira Kurosawa's RAN.

Isuzu Yamada appeared twice in two Akira Kurosawa films with Toshirō Mifune in The Lower Depths and Throne of Blood. Originally from Osaka, she was born Mitsu Yamada who made her first stage appearance at the age of thirteen in 1930. At one point she was credited with being one of the best actresses of Japan. She went on to appear in many films, television dramas as well the stage. She worked with some of Japan's most influential directors such as  Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujiro Ozu, Mikio Naruse and Kurosawa. Her major movies included "Osaka Elegy" and "Sisters of the Gion" by Mizoguchi and "Nagareru" by Naruse, as well as the great Akira Kurosawa who is better known in the west.

Isuzu Yamada passed away in Tokyo to multiple organ failure. 

She was 95 years old and will be remembered as both a stage and screen Legend of Japan. 

すべてのあなたの素晴らしい演奏を どもありがとうございまし!