Teppei Yamaguchi
Director
About Teppei Yamaguchi
Teppei Yamaguchi was a Japanese film director active during the late silent era of Japanese cinema. His sole known directorial work is the 1928 film 'Kurama Tengu,' which was part of the popular series of films based on the fictional character Kurama Tengu, a ninja-like hero from Japanese folklore. Very little documented information survives about Yamaguchi's life and career, suggesting he may have been one of the many early Japanese filmmakers whose work has been lost to time due to the destruction of films during World War II and the natural deterioration of nitrate film stock. His brief appearance in film history during 1928 coincides with a transitional period in Japanese cinema, as the industry was moving from pure silent films toward the benshi (live narrator) era. The fact that only one film is attributed to him indicates he may have had a very short career or that other works have been lost to history.
The Craft
Behind the Camera
Silent era Japanese filmmaking techniques typical of the late 1920s
Milestones
- Directed 'Kurama Tengu' (1928)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
As a director from the late silent era of Japanese cinema, Teppei Yamaguchi represents the countless filmmakers whose contributions to early Japanese film history have been largely lost due to the destruction of film archives during World War II and the natural deterioration of early film stock. His work on 'Kurama Tengu' places him within the tradition of adapting popular Japanese folklore and literature for the screen, a practice that was fundamental to the development of Japanese cinema's unique identity.
Lasting Legacy
Teppei Yamaguchi's legacy is primarily preserved through his association with the Kurama Tengu film series, which was one of the most popular and long-running franchises in early Japanese cinema. While his individual contribution may be difficult to assess due to the scarcity of surviving information, his work is part of the foundation upon which Japanese cinema was built during its formative years.
Who They Inspired
Due to the limited documentation of his career and the apparent brevity of his time in the industry, it's difficult to trace Teppei Yamaguchi's direct influence on subsequent filmmakers. However, like all directors of this era, he contributed to the development of Japanese cinematic language and storytelling techniques that would influence generations of Japanese directors.
Off Screen
Very little information is available about Teppei Yamaguchi's personal life, which is not uncommon for directors from this early period of Japanese cinema who worked primarily in the studio system.
Did You Know?
- The Kurama Tengu character was one of the most popular heroes in early Japanese cinema, appearing in numerous films from the 1920s through the 1960s
- Many Japanese films from the 1920s have been lost due to natural deterioration of nitrate film and wartime destruction
- The year 1928 was significant in Japanese cinema as it was near the end of the pure silent era before the widespread adoption of sound
- Kurama Tengu was based on a character from Japanese folklore, a ninja-like hero with supernatural abilities
- Early Japanese directors like Yamaguchi often worked anonymously within the studio system
- The benshi (live film narrator) was still an integral part of Japanese cinema exhibition in 1928
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Teppei Yamaguchi?
Teppei Yamaguchi was a Japanese film director from the late silent era, known primarily for directing the 1928 film 'Kurama Tengu.' Very little documented information survives about his life and career, suggesting he had a brief tenure in the film industry.
What films is Teppei Yamaguchi best known for?
Yamaguchi is known for directing 'Kurama Tengu' in 1928, which was part of a popular series of films based on the legendary Japanese character. This appears to be his only surviving credited work.
When was Teppei Yamaguchi born and when did he die?
Specific birth and death dates for Teppei Yamaguchi are not available in historical records, which is common for many early Japanese cinema figures whose documentation has been lost over time.
What awards did Teppei Yamaguchi win?
No awards or nominations for Teppei Yamaguchi are documented, which is typical for directors from this early period of Japanese cinema when formal award systems were not yet established.
What was Teppei Yamaguchi's directing style?
While specific details about his directing style are not documented, as a director working in 1928 Japan, he would have employed the silent era techniques common to Japanese cinema of that period, including visual storytelling appropriate for benshi narration.
Films
1 film
