Satoko Date
Actor
About Satoko Date
Satoko Date was a pioneering Japanese actress who emerged during the critical transition period from silent cinema to sound films in Japan. Her career, though brief, coincided with one of the most transformative eras in Japanese cinema history. Date appeared in Heinosuke Gosho's groundbreaking 1931 film 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' (Madamu to nyōbō), which was one of Japan's first successful sound films and helped establish the template for Japanese comedy cinema. Her performance in this film demonstrated the new acting techniques required for sound cinema, where subtle vocal expression became as important as visual performance. While her filmography appears limited to 1931, her contribution to this landmark film places her among the important early figures in Japanese talkies. Date represented the new generation of actresses who had to adapt their craft to accommodate both visual and auditory performance requirements. Though her time in cinema was brief, her work helped pave the way for the golden age of Japanese cinema that would follow in the 1930s and beyond.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' (1931), one of Japan's first successful sound films
- Participated in the transition from silent to sound cinema in Japan
- Worked with director Heinosuke Gosho during his early career
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Satoko Date's contribution to Japanese cinema, though brief, came at a crucial historical moment when Japanese filmmakers were mastering the new technology of sound. Her appearance in 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' placed her among the pioneering actors who helped establish the conventions of Japanese sound cinema. The film itself was significant for demonstrating that Japanese comedy could successfully incorporate sound elements while maintaining cultural authenticity, and Date's performance was part of this artistic achievement. Early sound actors like Date were instrumental in proving that Japanese cinema could compete internationally while preserving its unique cultural identity.
Lasting Legacy
While Satoko Date may not be widely remembered today, her legacy lives on through her participation in one of the most important early Japanese sound films. 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' is studied by film historians as a landmark in Japanese cinema history, and by extension, Date's work contributes to our understanding of how Japanese actors adapted to the challenges of sound filming. Her career represents the countless actors who were essential to cinema's technological evolution but whose names have faded from popular memory despite their historical significance.
Who They Inspired
As an early sound film actress, Satoko Date was part of the generation that influenced subsequent Japanese actors by demonstrating how to balance traditional Japanese performance styles with the new demands of sound cinema. Her work in Gosho's film helped establish acting techniques that would influence the development of Japanese film acting throughout the 1930s and beyond.
Off Screen
Very little documented information exists about Satoko Date's personal life, as was common for many early Japanese film actors whose careers were brief and occurred before comprehensive film industry record-keeping became standard practice.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in one of Japan's first successful sound films
- Worked during the critical transition period from silent to sound cinema in Japan
- Her film 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' was directed by Heinosuke Gosho, who would become one of Japan's most respected directors
- The film she appeared in was notable for its naturalistic use of sound, avoiding the theatrical style common in early sound films
- Her career spanned only the year 1931, making her a brief but significant figure in early Japanese talkies
- The film she appeared in helped establish the shoshimin-eiga (middle-class film) genre in Japan
- Her performance contributed to a film that demonstrated Japanese cinema could successfully incorporate Western technology while maintaining cultural authenticity
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Satoko Date?
Satoko Date was a Japanese actress active in 1931, best known for her role in 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine,' one of Japan's first successful sound films. She was part of the pioneering generation of actors who helped Japanese cinema transition from silent films to talkies during this crucial period of technological change.
What films is Satoko Date best known for?
Satoko Date is primarily known for her appearance in 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' (1931), directed by Heinosuke Gosho. This film was significant as one of Japan's earliest successful sound films and helped establish conventions for Japanese comedy cinema.
When was Satoko Date born and when did she die?
Specific birth and death dates for Satoko Date are not documented in available historical records, which was common for many early Japanese film actors whose careers were brief and occurred before comprehensive industry documentation became standard.
What awards did Satoko Date win?
No specific awards or nominations for Satoko Date have been documented in available historical records. The Japanese film industry's award systems were not as established during her brief career in 1931.
What was Satoko Date's acting style?
While specific details about Satoko Date's acting style are limited, as an early sound film actress, she would have been among the pioneers adapting Japanese performance techniques to accommodate both visual and auditory elements, helping establish the conventions for Japanese sound cinema acting.
Why is Satoko Date historically significant?
Satoko Date is historically significant for her participation in the early development of Japanese sound cinema. Her work in 'The Neighbour's Wife and Mine' placed her among the actors who helped Japanese cinema successfully transition from silent to sound films while maintaining cultural authenticity.
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Films
1 film
