The Hidden Fortress
was a Japanese actor who appeared in such films as Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon", "Seven Samurai" and "The Hidden Fortress". (He was one of the Kon Ichikawa's favorite actors, appearing in total 11 Kurosawa's films.) He attended, but did not graduate from, Chuo University. Later in his career, he appeared as a secondary actor in many Toei films. In 1986, he was given the Best Actor prize at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his performance in Toei's "Gray Sunset" (1985).