Den Obinata
Actor
About Den Obinata
Den Obinata was a Japanese actor who appeared during the early sound era of Japanese cinema. His only documented film appearance was in the 1933 production 'The Dancing Girl of Izu' (Izu no Odoriko), directed by Heinosuke Gosho. This film was an adaptation of Yasunari Kawabata's acclaimed novella and represented one of the significant works of early Japanese sound cinema. Obinata's brief appearance in this film places him within the transitional period when Japanese cinema was moving from silent films to talkies. Unfortunately, detailed records about his life and career are extremely limited, which was common for many supporting actors in early 1930s Japanese cinema. His role in this particular film, while small, connected him to an important work in Japanese film history that helped establish the reputation of both its director and source material author.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Dancing Girl of Izu' (1933), an important early Japanese sound film
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Den Obinata's contribution to cinema, while limited to a single documented appearance, places him within the context of early Japanese sound cinema's development. 'The Dancing Girl of Izu' was part of the important movement that established Japanese cinema's artistic reputation internationally, and Obinata was one of the many actors who contributed to this foundational period of Japanese film history.
Lasting Legacy
Due to the scarcity of surviving documentation about Den Obinata's career and life, his legacy is primarily preserved through his participation in 'The Dancing Girl of Izu,' a film that remains significant in Japanese cinema history. His story exemplifies how many early cinema contributors, particularly in supporting roles, have become largely forgotten despite their participation in historically important works.
Who They Inspired
Given the limited documentation of Obinata's career and the brevity of his documented film appearances, there is no available information about his influence on other actors or filmmakers of his time or subsequent generations.
Off Screen
Very little information is available about Den Obinata's personal life, which was typical for many supporting actors in early Japanese cinema whose biographical details were not extensively documented.
Did You Know?
- Den Obinata's only documented film appearance was in 1933, suggesting either a very brief career or incomplete historical records
- He appeared in 'The Dancing Girl of Izu,' which was based on a work by Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata
- The film he appeared in was directed by Heinosuke Gosho, one of the prominent directors of early Japanese sound cinema
- 1933 was during the transitional period when Japanese cinema was adapting to sound technology
- Early Japanese cinema records for supporting actors are often incomplete, making research challenging
- The film he appeared in was considered significant enough to be preserved as part of Japanese cinema heritage
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Den Obinata?
Den Obinata was a Japanese actor from the early 1930s who is known for appearing in the 1933 film 'The Dancing Girl of Izu.' Very limited information is available about his life and career, which was typical for many supporting actors in early Japanese cinema.
What films is Den Obinata best known for?
Den Obinata is only documented to have appeared in one film: 'The Dancing Girl of Izu' (1933), directed by Heinosuke Gosho. This film was an adaptation of Yasunari Kawabata's novella and is considered an important work in early Japanese sound cinema.
When was Den Obinata born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, there are no available records of Den Obinata's birth or death dates. This lack of biographical information is common for many actors from early Japanese cinema, particularly those in supporting roles.
What awards did Den Obinata win?
There are no records of Den Obinata receiving any awards or nominations. Given the limited documentation of his career and the brief period of his known activity, formal recognition would have been unlikely.
What was Den Obinata's acting style?
Due to the scarcity of surviving documentation and the fact that only one of his film appearances is recorded, there is no available information about Den Obinata's specific acting style or techniques.
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Films
1 film
