<p> Considered one of the finest performers in world cinema, Japanese actor Takashi Shimura (1905-1982) appeared in more than 300 stage, film and television roles during his five-decade career. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with Akira Kurosawa, including major roles in the landmark classics <I>Rashomon</I> (1950), <I>Ikiru</I> (1952) and <I>Seven Samurai</I> (1954), and for his memorable characterizations in Ishiro Honda's <I>Godzilla</I> (1954) and several Kaiju sequels. This is the first complete English-language account of Shimura's work. In addition to historical and critical coverage of Shimura's life and career, it includes an extensive filmography.</p>