Koji Yakusho’s Closet Picks

The legendary actor shares his love for Akira Kurosawa classics RED BEARD and IKIRU, recalls how Tatsuya Nakadai was his teacher when he first began acting, admires the visual storytelling of CITY LIGHTS, and shouts out his latest collaborator, Wim Wenders.
Shop Koji's Closet Picks! criterion.com/shop/collection/668-koji-yakusho-s-closet-picks

[@saintsalieri]

The fact his brother told him the entire plot of Ikiru as they went to sleep, then years later he saw the film and it was just as he imagined it is such a beautiful story.

[@myfootyuniverse]

This reminds me of when I read Ebert's review of Ikiru and the review and gave me the exact feeling of film distilled into a handful of paragraphs. That's what great reviews/retellings can do, give you an essence of the story as a whole.

[@beetle1087]

It's beautiful to hear stories like this.

[@artlesscalamity]

@@myfootyuniverse I miss those days of great professional film criticism. Also Ikiru is a top five all-timer, big big recommendation to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.

[@myfootyuniverse]

@@artlesscalamity Yeah I went through a phase of reading a lot of those reviews. Ikiru is an all time great. I had the pleasure of watching it on the big screen in London last year. There's this great theatre in Chinatown called the Prince Charles cinema, I'm going back there to see Tarkovsky's Mirror (my favourite film) on Friday actually

[@johnsmith5669]

I like to imagine it was like that bit in Parks and Rec where Andy explains the plot of Roadhouse.

[@ElArlequin]

Look how PROUD his face is when he says "I'm in this." How can you not love this man?

[@MortimusGorgon]

If I starred in cure I'd for sure be grinning like an idiot every time I had the chance to tell someone

[@wierd_fishez]

@@MortimusGorgon haha same. i definitely wouldnt shut up about it

[@cinemacola6398]

What a beast picking his own film Cure. Cure is such an underrated masterpiece with a clever premise.

[@peybak]

It has that one scene too 😱

[@ssssssstssssssss]

Kurosawa's always got clever premises, though sometimes a bit too strange for your average person and a lot of people don't the his humor. Plus he's probably second to none when it comes to shot composition.

[@yowatchie]

Yeah that film is anything but underrated. Maybe underviewed? But it's considered one of the greatest horror films of all time. It's critically acclaimed and in the Criterion collection for a reason.

[@yobgol]

charisma ... surely that one could be released again?

[@user-dn8mw4uw7q]

Yes! I like that film, very scary though.

[@distortedvideos7536]

This man truly deserves more praise here in the states

[@georgewhite1972]

Cure is an absolute masterpiece. It's mesmeric, literally! Once seen, never forgotten

[@JunkyardHounds]

Mesmerizing!

[@surjavosengupta2883]

bro clarified the name of his movie with wenders as if we all don't know 😭😭 what a humble soul fr

[@iqrakhan435]

His voice is so therapeutic, I can listen to him talk about movies all day, everyday.

[@Advent3546]

This man feels like a friend you're always happy to see.

[@istareatthesun]

This is how you know you’re one of the greatest actors in the entire world… you pick one of your own movies off the closet shelf, call it a masterpiece to the camera, and everyone in the comments just goes, “Yea, that tracks.”

[@doomedandbored]

It can't be overstated how great of a movie Cure is. It also can't be overstated how great of an actor Koji Yakusho is.

[@derekchin6242]

I watched PERFECT DAYS three times in the theater. Koji Yakusho was incredible in it, and Wim Wenders said later he couldn’t think of another actor who could have pulled off those last 5 minutes. I later realized Yakusho was also in 13 ASSASSINS and SHALL WE DANCE? Wow, what a gifted actor.

[@aramdavid]

I get emotional thinking of how much I loved Perfect Days and how much I loved him in it.

[@hadinasrallah8928]

RED BEARD MENTIONED i love this man

[@matayolandas]

He deserved the Oscar nomination.

[@user-dp4fq4dm7q]

For perfect days

[@jamesong9408]

And the Cannes 2023 win.

[@Soundofsilver2007]

@@jamesong9408 🍃💎

[@showbizroxs]

@@matayolandas for tampopo

[@propoman445]

Nominations don't mean anything please don't ever post something so silly and shallow.

[@arrietys]

one of our finest working actors, i was introduced to him in the 2000s when he appeared in hollywood movies like babel or memories of a geisha. now that i'm older and i got into japanese cinema i start to understand just how impactful his career is. lovely to see him here!

[@EJX220]

Same here! I loved him in Memoirs of a Geisha, and I’m such a fan now.

[@pnwtreehugger806]

Perfect Days, perfect Criterion-closet guest, & perfect picks; Koji Yakusho couldn't have been more perfectly delightful. I smiled all the way through his closet visit.

[@Cuca138]

I need this to be at least 3 times longer.

[@EJX220]

Invite him back two more time, at least! ❤

[@ivanbronson5584]

Recently saw him in Perfect Days, what a beautiful movie. My jaw dropped when I connected him with the gangster from Tampopo. He's handsome now just as he was back then.

[@LinouGertz]

Love how happy he looks when he says "I'm in this movie" 🥰

[@bornanagaming3329]

His movie Perfect Days inspired me to apply to be a janitor

[@ssssssstssssssss]

Unfortunately Japan actually rarely hires male janitors. I've probably only seen middle-aged to elderly women janitors. And they don't care if you are going when they come into clean.

[@isaacmartinez6904]

He’s one of the best Japanese actors in the business. Love his work in Babel, Cure and Perfect Days.

[@showbizroxs]

@@isaacmartinez6904 and Tampopo

[@jkta97]

Watch him in "Shall We Dance" and "Tampopo." He gives really great comedic performances in both.

[@estafavideos]

He is just as sensitive and calm as his character in Perfect Days

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

Absolute legend. Wonderful to see him in the closet!! Great picks too

[@mdirfanahuuk9879]

Koji still in his absolute prime. I wish they keep writing good roles for him. What a treasure.

[@kizuna2002]

What a beautiful surprise 😍 Thank you!

[@JoshuaGonzalez-sr7xy]

I clicked so quickly as i saw perfect days last week.

[@petertaylorarts]

I want to watch all of these. I love the quiet enthusiasm. I also can't believe he's almost 70! Can't wait to get Perfect Days on Blu-ray. One of the best films I've seen in recent years.

[@overdeclined]

koji yakusho is the best person on planet earth

[@bacht4799]

He has a wonderful voice.. and my apologies.. I don’t think I have the pleasure to see some of his work .. but Cure sounds like a interesting topic to explore at some point …!

[@doomedandbored]

@@bacht4799 Cure is one of the greatest movies ever made. While I highly recommend going in blind, it's important that you give the film your utmost attention because it leaves a lot to you to piece together. I've seen it multiple times over many years, and I'm still coming up with theories about the film.

[@passiondimension]

@@bacht4799 A must watch, an all time favourite masterpiece

[@heartofcinema3454]

nice to see a japanese person showing love to his native country’s work. Japan has many great directors and films.

[@JoeBocciaJr.]

He has such a calming presence. Perfect

[@davidderousse6293]

Koji is an underrated actor - Perfect Days, 13 Assassins, The Days Mini Series, Babel, Cure. The man has range!

[@sorinmuso2950]

on International scene, yes. but in his own country, he's already considered as one of the greatest actors of all time

[@p5rsona]

Loved him in shall we dance

[@franklorenz9351]

and „Perfect Days“😊

[@jkta97]

I'm so glad you mentioned "Shall We Dance." It always pisses me off that people think of the terrible American remake when they hear that title.

[@ElArlequin]

He picked all the movies that I own... and his my favorite actor. Today is my lucky day!

[@jacksonwright5145]

What a legend. I could have listened to him for much longer. All his picks are GOATed too.

[@devolutionary]

Long overdue for a Japanese legend. Great to see him enter the Criterion Closet!

[@suhebkhan9054]

this video made me cry for how beautiful it is mannnn ❤️🥹 Koji Yakusho needs to be protected at all costs, such a beautiful soul

[@neatescproductions7809]

I've been watching 'Cure' once a month for about six months now. Never gets old. Koji Yakusho's performance is one of the greatest of all time. It's clear Tatsuya Nakadai taught him well as he is also a fantastic actor. What a humble soul and one we should protect at all costs.

[@himalayantongue]

I know, right? It has amazing rewatch value. Somehow just doesn't get old. I immediately wanted to see it again the first time I watched it. That's very rare.

[@disastervillain]

thia might be the best collection of pics yet in the closet. ALL bangers.

[@user-hh1tx5rg3o]

He's literally the best living actor in Japan and one of the best actors in Asia.

[@ottow5591]

What a lovely man. Koji deserves all the praise

[@rogerkincaid931]

Watching _Babel_ and _The World of Kanako_ as double features may left a rather strange feeling, but it proves how much of a great actor he is.

[@sebastianmunozochoa1485]

I know that he plays a flawed but protective father in Babel, how's his character in The world of Hanako?

[@rogerkincaid931]

@@sebastianmunozochoa1485 - Like _Babel,_ he plays a father to a daughter, but I wouldn't use "protective" to describe him and "flawed" is too much of an understatement.

[@Jackhoppy]

What a wise, calming presence. Protect him

[@whimbird6538]

I LOVE your work in "Shall We Dance"!! I was staring at your face and the way you were gesturing, and something kicked in in the back of my mind. I thought to myself "no way...could it be?" and went to Google. There it was. There you were. My God, you were absolutely SUBLIME in that film. My mother and I loved that movie so much and we'd watch it together when she was alive. She did a GREAT impression of the character that had that fantastic side-turn walk! 💜

[@lyonleo7150]

Side-turn walker is on Samurai Gourmet as well. Kinda funny show on Netflix.

[@bloodydominations992]

I love it when the guests have the confidence to pick their own films. I have seen half of these, need to check out the rest!

[@TamirKhan-fo2zm]

I loved his acting in the Perfect Days what a talented actor. Also, I liked how he shows us the film and tells about their plot so that we as audience can decide of keeping those in our watchlist. I really love how Japanese movies shape their narratives with their captivating culture. I think the one film that I really felt like I had a glimpse of my childhood was Good Morning (1959) by Yasuijiro Ozu.

[@muxz]

One of the finest actors in cinema history IMO. Cure is a total masterpiece.

[@mr.ricochet8603]

Started watching japanese movies and doramas about 20 years ago, this guy has ALWAYS been a great actor.

[@user-vw8it9oo8h]

わースゴイ、役所広司さんだ！役以外でお話している所を初めて見ました。お声も作品チョイスも渋いですね。

[@solharv7817]

didn’t think I could love this guy any more and then he picked City Lights

[@azzahra4504]

that's father 🙏 he has one of the best on-screen presences, just captivating and powerful no matter how subtle his acting is. the ending of Perfect Days is still haunting me. i'm due for a Cure rewatch, and this might be the sign that i gotta check it out again before exploring the rest of his filmography.

[@jzhilarious]

That is too cute he put the 1st DVD back on the shelf before he was told to put it in the bag. Protect this gem at all costs🥹

[@showbizroxs]

KING 👑

[@122josh]

Koji may just be my favourite one of these ever that story about his brother telling him the plot of Ikiru as he went to sleep was absolutely wonderful and so so moving he seems like a really lovely guy and he is such a talented actor I also loved how he put Red Beard back initially 😂(also if you haven't seen Cure watch it it's an incredible film)

[@kazbu3162]

His storytelling is so gentle, I could watch him forever. His interpretation of "Cure" is interesting.

[@CherryFilms7]

Such a sweet, calm man, his performance in Perfect Days is an all time cinematic highlight

[@matt8797]

one of my all time favourite actors. what a list of films he chose! can't wait to get the Perfect Days Blu Ray

[@whiteydiamond]

Don't tell my boy what to do, he doesn't have to put it in the bag if he doesn't want to.

[@superb_ean]

This was amazing since saw him in the "A Perfect Day" film. I'm glad to see him here. 😊

[@rothsothy]

Great to see Koji featured on Closet Picks! I used to see him star in a lot back in the early 00s during the Asian horror boom with Pulse (Kairo), Seance, Cure (super glad he chose it as it's one of my faves from Kiyoshi Kurosawa), Doppelganger, Retribution, and I love Tampopo '85! 🍜

[@user-uo4tv1nt2e]

Love Koji Yakusho! So relaxing in this closet video. Perfect Days is probably my favorite movie that I saw this year

[@alrobvy]

Harakiri is also with cure and all other films masterpieces❗️❗️Tatsuya Nakadai is a great actor and professor...i hade the chance to meet him 12 years ago in Paris❤️

[@madahad9]

Red Beard is an amazing film. It took me a long time to get around to watch it. A film about a 19th century clinic for the poor that ran three hours did not pique my interest, but whenever reservations I initially had were quickly dispelled and found myself absorbed in the story. Toshiro Mifune gives an understated but compelling performance as the doctor who is breaking in a new doctor at the clinic and explaining the importance they have in the community. Paris, Texas is a very special film. In the early 80's I was growing tired of the mainstream movies of the period and was hungry for something different. Thankfully there was an art theatre that specialized in foreign and independent films and became an oasis for me. I got to see Paris, Texas here when it was released and was absolutely transfixed by the story of Travis who finds himself reunited with a son he abandoned many years before and tries to find his ex-wife. It's such a simple story but is more compelling than many other films I've seen. The score by Ry Cooder is haunting. I immediately went and bought the soundtrack.

[@JoeyOkuda]

Bro pulled out an undisputed psychological horror classic and said "I'm in this." What a badass. Love this guy.

[@shougokawada8491]

A true legend of modern Japanese cinema. It's impossible to even mention all the great films he's been in because there are so many of them!

[@myfootyuniverse]

Wonderful picks. Had the pleasure of seeing Ikiru on the big screen last year. Was a great treat, a humanist masterpiece and one of my favourite films ❤

[@Infametheus]

Amazing actor and picked some of the greatest films ever made

[@unknowndes1re]

Smiling throughout the video, I love this man

[@KERSTEN27]

Always at the top of his craft, Koji Yakusho has been a favourite of mine since his erotic games with Fukumi Kuroda in "Tampopo".

[@goobistgoobert7898]

NO WAY I LITERALLY WATCHED CURE THE DAY THIS CAME OUT (one of the best films ive ever seen)

[@AlLeftyPenguino]

Just recently watched “Tampopo” and he’s in that as well! I plan on watching “Perfect Days” soon as Wim Wenders is a wonderful director, and I’m excited to see Koji’s performance in it ^^ I love that story about Ikiru, it’s so personal and wholesome for such a heart-striking film.

[@muel3628]

This man heals my soul.

[@user-th4or9bk3z]

日本が誇る俳優

[@vespertinnee]

kamikaze taxi needs to get into the collection asap!!

[@TheVellar]

Excellent picks from talented actor and wonderful person. Koji Yakusho- we bow before you.

[@gnalkhere]

It's a perfect day!

[@z-e-r-o-]

役所さん自身はCUREの話を「人間がストレスのない状態でいかに怪物になっていくか」というふうに解釈してたのか。興味深い。

[@RJB-V]

Perfect Days is one my favorite movies ever, thank you Koji Yakusho

[@soulmilk1]

i love this man so much. i'm so glad he picked cure, what a terrifying film. he was incredible in the world of kanako too.

[@AmbientWalking]

I can't think of a more beautiful film than Perfect Days that's made in the last couple of years. So happy that you're being celebrated! Hurray!

[@jonathan-q3f]

Ok. You've sold me.. I am going to Barnes and Noble right now to get a copy of Cure.

[@samanthanoeliaferrer]

Hes perfection. 🥹🥹

[@BasicDomesticActivity]

The GOAT himself, I crave more films from him! also him talking about IKIRU was nice

[@anilles2001]

I really enjoyed this closet visit, thank you!! ありがとうございます

[@WabiSabi-Gaijin-fx6ld]

こじさん、ありがとうございました。Perfect Days もが大好きです。

[@joshuaking9605]

What a perfectly executed film critique. I sincerely hope that someday I'm able to stand where Mr. Yakusho stood and be handed the honor of presenting from the Criterion collection. Until then perfect days lie ahead.

[@DirtyDawg]

Legend

[@canadianinvinciblecomics2255]

Perfect Days is my favorite film I’ve seen in years!

[@kaiboushitsu]

The Eel (1997) is an underrated film starring Koji Yakusho. Criterion should release a Blu-ray of this masterpiece.

[@32a34a]

The ending of City Lights might be the best ever ending in film history.

[@Twoseconds001]

Oh my God! Am I dreaming 😭😭😭 my dad is here and when they get my grandpa Min Tanaka on here I'll probably cry my life out..

[@lifeofcinephile]

i love the detail of the subtitles being added to the video makes me feel like im watching a japanese film on criterion channel nice touch

[@peekodafreeko3949]

He has exellent taste. Wondeful ep.

[@sirtorchington]

This man is a treasure!! Been hearing about Cure a lot this year, gonna finally watch tonight🙌

[@BLACKDISC]

yooo!! glad he got to visit

[@EddyCrimson]

I'm so glad he picked Harakiri. The best revenge movie ever, an underrated masterpiece.

[@slyslaughter5115]

What a presence. I never knew of him until BABEL.

[@amphitheatre]

彼声の音がすごくリラックスにします of course my dude picked cure, too. aces.

[@Bananaaulait]

His work. Shohei Imamura Hideo Gosha Juzo Itami Masayuki Suo Masato Harada Kiyoshi Kurosawa Takashi Miike Hirokazu Koreeda Tetsuya Nakashima Shinji Aoyama Alejandro González Iñárritu Wim Wenders etc Cannes palme d'or『The Eel』 Best Actor『Perfect Days』 　　　 He is an icon in the history of Japanese cinema today.

[@mongomongo7664]

He is in one of my favourite films of all time 13 Assassins

[@Luke_E_Babyy]

Perfect Days is beautiful.