is a Japanese filmmaker best known for his film series Otoko wa Tsurai yo and the Samurai Trilogy (The Twilight Samurai, The Hidden Blade, and Love and Honor). He has directed 91 films, Following the end of World War II, he returned to Japan and subsequently lived in Ube, Yamaguchi. After receiving his degree from Tokyo University in 1954, he joined the film studio Shochiku and worked under filmmaker Yoshitaro Nomura as a screenwriter and assistant director. and is currently a guest professor of Ritsumeikan University. He continues to write and direct; his latest film Tokyo Taxi was released in November 2025, two months after he turned 94.

His 2004 film, The Hidden Blade, was nominated for sixteen awards and won three. In 2010, Yamada was honored at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival with a screening of his latest film Otōto during the awards ceremony, as well as receiving a Berlinale Camera award for his numerous contributions to the festival's program.

The 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Yamada.

Works

Films

  • Nikai no Tanin (1961)
  • Shitamachi no Taiyo (1963)
  • Baka Marudashi (1964)
  • Iikagen Baka (1964)
  • Baka ga Sensha de Yattekuru (1964)
  • Kiri no Hata (1965)
  • Un ga Yokerya (1966)
  • Natsukashii Fūraibō (1966)
  • Kyu-chan no Dekkai Yume (1967)
  • Ai no Sanka (1967)
  • Kigeki Ippatsu Shobu (1967)
  • Hana Hajime no Ippatsu Daibōken (1968)
  • Fukeba Tobuyona Otoko daga (1968)
  • Kigeki Ippatsu Daihissho (1969)
  • It's Tough Being a Man (1969)
  • Tora-San's Cherished Mother (1969)
  • Tora-san's Runaway (1970)
  • Kazoku (Family) (1970)
  • Tora-san's Shattered Romance (1971)
  • Tora-san, the Good Samaritan (1971)
  • Tora-san's Love Call (1971)
  • Tora-san's Dear Old Home (1972)
  • Tora-san's Dream-Come-True (1972)
  • Home From The Sea (1972)
  • Tora-san's Forget Me Not (1973)
  • Tora-san Loves an Artist (1973)
  • Tora-san's Lovesick (1974)
  • Tora-san's Lullaby (1974)
  • Tora-san's Rise and Fall (1975)
  • Tora-san, the Intellectual (1975)
  • Harakara (1975)
  • Tora-san's Sunrise and Sunset (1976)
  • Tora's Pure Love (1976)
  • Tora-san Meets His Lordship (1977)
  • Tora-san Plays Cupid (1977)
  • The Yellow Handkerchief (1977)
  • Stage-Struck Tora-san (1978)
  • Talk of the Town Tora-san (1978)
  • Tora-san, the Matchmaker (1979)
  • Tora-san's Dream of Spring (1979)
  • Tora's Tropical Fever (1980)
  • Foster Daddy, Tora! (1980)
  • A Distant Cry from Spring (1980)
  • Tora-san's Love in Osaka (1981)
  • Shunmao Monogatari Taotao (1981)
  • Tora-san's Promise (1981)
  • Hearts and Flowers for Tora-san (1982)
  • Tora-san, the Expert (1982)
  • Tora-san's Song of Love (1983)
  • Tora-san Goes Religious? (1983)
  • Marriage Counselor Tora-san (1984)
  • Tora-san, the Go-Between (1985)
  • Tora-san's Island Encounter (1985)
  • Tora-san's Bluebird Fantasy (1986)
  • Final Take (1986)
  • Tora-san Goes North (1987)
  • Tora-san Plays Daddy (1987)
  • Tora-san's Salad-Day Memorial (1988)
  • Hope and Pain (1988)
  • Tora-San Goes to Vienna (1989)
  • Tora-san, My Uncle (1989)
  • Tora-san Takes a Vacation (1990)
  • My Sons (1991)
  • Tora-san Confesses (1991)
  • Tora-San Makes Excuses (1992)
  • A Class to Remember (1993)
  • Tora-san's Matchmaker (1993)
  • Tora-san's Easy Advice (1994)
  • Tora-san to the Rescue (1995)
  • A Class to Remember II (1996)
  • Niji wo Tsukamu Otoko (1996)
  • Niji wo Tsukamu Otoko Nangoku Funtō hen (1997)
  • A Class to Remember III (1998)
  • A Class to Remember IV (2000)
  • The Twilight Samurai (2002)
  • The Hidden Blade (2004)
  • Love and Honor (2006)
  • Kabei: Our Mother (2008)
  • Otōto (2010)
  • Kyoto Story (2010)
  • Tokyo Family (2013)
  • The Little House (2014)
  • Nagasaki: Memories of My Son (2015)
  • What a Wonderful Family! (2016)
  • What a Wonderful Family! 2 (2017)
  • What a Wonderful Family! 3: My Wife, My Life (2018)
  • Tora-san, Wish You Were Here (2019)
  • It's a Flickering Life (2021)
  • Mom, Is That You?! (2023)
  • Tokyo Taxi (2025)

Screenplays

  • Castle of Sand (1974)
  • Tsuribaka Nisshi Series (1988–2009)
  • Deguchi no Nai Umi (2006)

Honours

  • Medal with Purple Ribbon (1996)
  • Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette (2002)
  • Person of Cultural Merit (2004)
  • Order of Culture (2012)

References

  • Profile at Japan Zone; accessed 17 July 2020
  • JMDb Listing; accessed 17 July 2020 (in Japanese)