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Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla Director Kensho Yamashita Passes Away

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla Director Kensho Yamashita Passes Away

Godzilla-Movies.com
By G. H. (Gman)GodzillaPublished: September 30, 2016
        *Image of Mr. Yamashita by Brett of Sidelong Glances

It has recently become known that Kensho Yamashita, director of Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) and Chief Assistant Director to Ishiro Honda on Terror of MechaGodzilla (1975), passed away on August 16th, 2016. The cause of death was heart failure. He was 72 years old.

Yamashita began working for Toho in 1969 as an Assistant Director. His first project was the situational comedy Who Am I. His first major project was director Kihachi Okamoto's The Battle of Okinawa (1971).

He was promoted to Chief Assistant Director in 1975 where he worked for Ishiro Honda on Terror of MechaGodzilla. Due to his respect for Honda, he found it difficult to make any suggestions and merely attempted to, “learn his craft.”

In 1979 Yamashita made his directorial debut with Troubleman: Laughs and Kills, followed by Ninteen (1987). After those films he was having a difficult time at the studio—Many projects of his were being pulled from the schedule and it was suggested he leave the studio to find independent work. It was a surprise when former Toho President Yoshinobu Hayashi asked him take over Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Of the few movies he directed, his foray into the Godzilla series was his favorite.

Thanks to Toho Kingdom's Patrick Galvan for the news on Mr. Yamashita's passing.


Sources:
Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker
Kensho Yamashita Interview

 

More to explore from the Monsterverse:

Godzilla x Kong: Supernova will hit theaters on March 26th, 2027!

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4 Comments

Danzilla93

MemberBaragonSep-30-2016 3:03 PM

This is incredibly sad news.  Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla is one of my favorite films, and holds a very near and dear place in my heart.  I always wished for Yamashita-San to direct another Godzilla film, but sadly it appears that he found very little employment with big studios following his 1994 foray into kaiju movie making.  A real shame.

Rest in peace, sir.  Thank you for creating one of my all-time favorite Godzilla movies.  You will be missed.

Shiro

MemberBaragonSep-30-2016 11:17 PM

RIP Yamashita San.

Durp004

MemberBaragonOct-01-2016 6:43 AM

I've always really liked Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla. I mean it's an extremely flawed movie, but I have fun with it. It's like a better version of Final Wars to me. 

 

Rip KenshoYamashita

Shiro

MemberBaragonOct-02-2016 7:48 AM

If only Yamashita san could of had directed another Godzilla movie....if only...

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