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 Rashômon (1950), Ikiru (1952) and Seven Samurai (1954), and for his memorable characterizations in Ishirô Honda's Godzilla (1954) and several Kaijû 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.