 | Draft article not currently submitted for review.
This is a draft Articles for creation (AfC) submission. It is not currently pending review. While there are no deadlines, abandoned drafts may be deleted after six months. To edit the draft click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window. To be accepted, a draft should:
It is strongly discouraged to write about yourself, your business or employer. If you do so, you must declare it. Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Last edited by Stuxnet.02 (talk | contribs) 10 hours ago. (Update) |
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Shigeru Kayama | |
|---|---|
| Born | Koji Yamada July 1, 1904 |
| Died | February 7, 1975 (aged 70) |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, Screenwriter |
| Years active | 1940–1975 |
| Japanese name | |
| Kanji | 香山 滋 |
| Hiragana | かやま しげる |
| Romanization | Kayama Shigeru |
Shigeru Kayama (香山 滋, Kayama Shigeru, July 1, 1904 – February 7, 1975) was a Japanese writer and screenwriter, best known for his contributions to the original 1954 film Godzilla (*Gojira*). Kayama's work has had a lasting impact on Japanese cinema, particularly in the genre of kaiju (giant monster) films.[1][2]
Early Life
editKayama was born as Koji Yamada on July 1, 1904, in Tokyo, Japan. He began his career working in the Ministry of Finance before transitioning to writing full-time. Kayama's first major success came in 1946 with his short story Orang-Pendek’s Revenge, which won a sweepstakes prize and launched his writing career.[3]
Career
editIn the early 1950s, Toho Studios producer Tomoyuki Tanaka approached Kayama to develop the story for a new film project that would become Godzilla. Kayama crafted a narrative reflecting post-war Japan's fears and anxieties, particularly concerning nuclear weapons. His story depicted Godzilla as a metaphor for nuclear devastation, symbolizing the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[4]
The 1954 film Godzilla, directed by Ishirō Honda, became a cultural phenomenon, leading to numerous sequels and establishing the kaiju genre in cinema. Kayama also wrote the story for the sequel, Godzilla Raids Again (1955), further solidifying his role in the franchise.[1][2]
Beyond Godzilla, Kayama contributed to other notable films, including Half Human (1955) and The Mysterians (1957). His work frequently explored themes of humanity's destructive relationship with nature, which became a recurring motif in his speculative fiction.[3]
Legacy
editShigeru Kayama's influence on Japanese cinema and popular culture is significant, particularly through his involvement in the Godzilla franchise. His stories, imbued with strong antinuclear and pro-environmental messages, have left a lasting impact. Kayama passed away on February 7, 1975, but his legacy continues through the ongoing popularity of Godzilla and the enduring influence of his storytelling.[1]
Filmography
edit![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2024) |
References
edit- ^ a b c "'Godzilla' novellas expand on infamous monster's origins". The Japan Times. October 29, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "'Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again' by Shigeru Kayama". Asian Review of Books. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Shigeru Kayama". The Godzilla Cineaste. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ "Shigeru Kayama". Wikizilla. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
External links
edit
 | This article about a Japanese writer, poet, or screenwriter is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |