Masaki Kobayashi

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Masaki Kobayashi

Role / Field:

Pioneering Japanese filmmaker, celebrated for epic war and samurai dramas.

Born:

1916-02-14

Died:

1996-10-04

Century / Era:

1916s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Masaki Kobayashi (小林 正樹, Kobayashi Masaki; February 14, 1916 – October 4, 1996) was a Japanese filmmaker. He is best remembered for directing the epic war trilogy The Human Condition (1959–1961), the samurai films Harakiri (1962) and Samurai Rebellion (1967), and the horror anthology epic Kwaidan (1964). Senses of Cinema described him as "one of the finest depicters of Japanese society in the 1950s and 1960s." Although overshadowed by other Japanese filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu in his lifetime, his work has gained wider traction in the 21st century with several of his films being ranked as some of the greatest films ever made. Kobayashi was born on February 14, 1916, in Otaru, a port city on the island of Hokkaido.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Kobayashi's family was a part of the upper-middle class, as his father, Yuichi, worked for Mitsui & Co., and his mother, Hisako, was part of a merchant family. He had two older brothers and a younger sister. He was also a second cousin of the actress and director Kinuyo Tanaka. The Kobayashi family descends from a samurai from Shimonoseki. Kobayashi lived in Tokyo while...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1916 (1916-02-14): Birth of Masaki Kobayashi — Pioneering Japanese filmmaker, celebrated for epic war and samurai dramas.
2. 1959: 1959 Milestone — He is best remembered for directing the epic war trilogy The Human Condition (1959–1961), the samurai films Harakiri (1962) and Samurai Rebellion (1967), and the horror anthology epic Kwaidan (1964).
3. 1996 (1996-10-04): Passing & Historical Legacy — Masaki Kobayashi passed away on 1996-10-04, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Masaki Kobayashi

True or False: “Masaki Kobayashi's work was entirely overshadowed by Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu during his lifetime.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While overshadowed, his work has gained wider traction in the 21st century, with several films being ranked among the greatest ever made.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adriana Caselotti — Contemporary (Born in 1916) (1916): American actress and singer, famed for voicing Snow White in the first Disney feature.
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• Alexander Prokhorov — Contemporary (Born in 1916) (1916): Soviet physicist known for fundamental work on optics, leading to the laser and maser.
• 6ix9ine — Contemporary (Born in 1996) (1996): American rapper known for aggressive style and controversial public persona.
• A'ja Wilson — Contemporary (Born in 1996) (1996): Elite American WNBA star known for multiple MVP awards and championship success.
• Abdus Salam — Contemporary (Died in 1996) (1996): Pioneering Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate.
• Abdul Qadir Gilani — Shared historical date (02-14 · Died) (1166): Founding figure of the Qadiriyya Sufi order, renowned mystic and jurist.
• Alan Parker — Shared historical date (02-14 · Born) (1944): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Al Smith — Shared historical date (10-04 · Died) (1944): Prominent Democratic politician, former Governor of New York, and 1928 presidential nominee.
• Alexandros Papagos — Shared historical date (10-04 · Died) (1955): Greek military leader and politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece (1952-1955).
• 1916 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1916
• February 14 (02-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 14
• 1996 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1996
• October 4 (10-04) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 4

Frequently Asked Questions about Masaki Kobayashi