Tajima Yoshibumi


Bio
田島義文
4 Aug 1918
Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
10 Sep 2009 (91)
Esophageal Cancer

Supporting actor under exclusive contract with Toho, frequently appearing in samurai, gangster, and sci-fi films. Sometimes confused with actors of a similar appearance (Jun Tazaki, etc.). Sometimes billed as "Yoshifumi" Tajima.

Tajima joined Haiyuza Theater Company in 1946, and debuted in film for director Kenji Mizoguchi in 1946. He became contracted to Toho in 1957, after appearing as a reporter in the studio's first color sci-fi film, Rodan (1956). He left Toho in the 70s and split his time appearing on stage and working for Toei.

Tajima is best known as Kumayama, the greedy businessman who buys Mothra's egg in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964). He also played policemen, gangsters, and soldiers on several occasions, most notably as the soldier who leads the main characters to the titular submarine's secret base in Atragon (1963).

One of Tajima's last film appearances was as a cabinet member in The Return of Godzilla (1984); his character is barely visible in the American re-cut, Godzilla 1985.


Selected Works
1956
Izeki
1958
Naval Officer
1958
Man at Fire Festival
1959
Detective Sakata
1960
Takamasa Gen
1960
Detective Tabata
1961
Soldier
1962
Research Ship Captain
1963
Policeman
1963
Lieutenant Amano
1964
Kumayama
1964
Gangster
1964
Cruise Ship Captain
1965
Axis Submarine Captain
1966
Coast Guard
1967
Who Henchman
1968
Defense Chief Sugiyama
1969
Detective
1975
Detective Sasaki
1985
Minister Hidaka