"The most important thing is to feel."
- Yasujiro Ozu
Early Life
Born in Shitennoji-cho, Osaka, Ozu began working in the film industry at Shochiku studios in 1923. His early career was marked by experimenting with American-style musicals, but he soon transitioned to themes of traditional Japanese family life and quiet domestic dramas.
Career & Evolution
1930s
Pioneered "pillow shot" cinematography with films like Three Good Things About Married Life
1940s
Created the I Was Born, But... and the acclaimed Equinox Flower
1950s
Delivered Tokyo Story, universally recognized as a masterpiece
1960s
Final works like An Autumn Afternoon solidified his legacy
Philosophy
Ozu famously avoided using the close-up, stating it was inappropriate for depicting the human face in dramatic situations. His static camera compositions and minimalist approach to action created profound emotional spaces between characters.
"There is something tragic and beautiful about ordinary people's lives."
Masterworks
Tokyo Story
1953 • 138 mins
A quiet yet devastating exploration of family estrangement, where elderly parents visit adult children who barely notice their presence.
Late Spring
1949 • 73 mins
A restrained look at the tension between filial duty and individual desires through the story of a daughter leaving her aging father.
An Autumn Afternoon
1960 • 133 mins
Considered by many to be the perfect film - a poignant tale of single fatherhood and aging set against seasonal change.
Tokyo Twilight
1957 • 106 mins
A haunting examination of teenage pregnancy and familial obligations in post-war Tokyo.