Minoru Chiaki

Minoru Chiaki (born Katsuji Sasaki on April 28, 1917 in Onnenai, Nakagawa, Kamikawa, Hokkaidō) was a prolific Japanese actor whose career spanned five decades and encompassed some of the most celebrated works of Japanese cinema. He first appeared on screen in 1949 and quickly became a favored collaborator of director Akira Kurosawa, featuring in eleven of Kurosawa’s films including the groundbreaking Rashomon (1950) where he played the priest, the heroic samurai Heihachi Hayashida in Seven Samurai (1954), the scheming lord Yoshiaki Miki in Throne of Blood (1957), and the clever merchant Tahei in The Hidden Fortress (1958). Chiaki’s ability to blend gravitas with comic timing made him a versatile character actor, and his performances contributed to the international acclaim those films received. Beyond Kurosawa, he worked frequently with director Kon Ichikawa and appeared in numerous Toei productions, often portraying supporting roles that added depth and humanity to the narratives. In the later stages of his career he transitioned to television, appearing in historical dramas such as Kunitori Monogatari (1973) and Sekigahara (1981), while continuing to take film roles that showcased his enduring screen presence. His portrayal of Fuyukichi Takano in Gray Sunset (1985) earned him the Best Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony, cementing his status as a respected elder statesman of Japanese film. Chiaki died on November 1, 1999 in Fuchu, Tokyo, from cardiac and pulmonary failure at the age of 82; his legacy lives on through his extensive filmography and through his son Katsuhiko Sasaki, who followed his father into acting.