Sayonara Gojira

It is sad news that we must share the passing of Haruo Nakajima. During WWII, he served as a gunner on a GM4 bomber and later was assigned to Shinyo suicide boats. Fortunately for us, he survived the war and found a new career in film where he was a stuntman and actor in Kurosawa films. From 1954 to 1972 he was the man in the rubber suit that played Godzilla. A charming, genial man, he was adored by his American fans in his many convention appearances here, even as recently as a few weeks ago. He will be missed, and long remembered. We at American Mishima offer our condolences to his family. 

Sayonara Naka-chan.

Sayonara.

One Lucky Star: Haruo Nakajima

Seen here is veteran actor Haruo Nakajima. We by chance came across his unique story through a WWII forum and found it fascinating enough to share with you here. You see, Haruo Nakajima was conscripted into the IJN at the age of 14. He served as a gunner on a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" Bomber, and somehow miraculously survived an encounter with a Grumman F6F Hellcat.Mr. Nakajima  is said to have attended Admiral Yamamoto's funeral. If surviving the Hellcat wasn't enough he just happened to be flying on the day that his new ship, the "Shinano" was sunk with 1500 men going down with her. If not for the war's end, he would have been assigned to suicide missions on Shinyo suicide boats. Nearly all of his classmates from training had died on such missions. Somebody was definitely looking out for this man!

Mr. Nakajima would later become famous when he won the role of Godzilla in 1954. He played the iconic character until 1972, when he retired. He is also known for his work on Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and recently appeared in Steve Okazaki's Documentary MIFUNE THE LAST SUAMURAI. Mr. Nakajima is now 88 years old still counting his lucky stars! How awesome is that? すごいい!!!