Something Like an Autobiography

Something Like an Autobiography chronicles Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa's life from his birth through 1951. The memoir, published in 1981, presents his experiences growing up in Tokyo, his path into filmmaking, and his emergence as a director at P.C.L. studio (later Toho). Through 54 chapters, Kurosawa recounts his childhood, relationships with family members, and formative events including the Great Kantō earthquake. The narrative follows his early career as an assistant director under mentors like Kajiro Yamamoto, leading up to his breakthrough with Rashomon at the Venice Film Festival. The book takes its Japanese title "Gama no Abura" (Toad Oil) from a folk legend about a toad confronting its reflection - a metaphor for Kurosawa's self-examination through writing. The work stands as both a personal history and a document of Japan's artistic and cultural transformation in the early-to-mid 20th century.

Readers appreciate Kurosawa's personal insights into his filmmaking process and his detailed accounts of growing up in early 20th century Japan. Many note his storytelling maintains the same visual quality found in his films. Readers highlight: - Candid discussion of his relationships with actors and crew - Descriptions of surviving the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake - Technical explanations of his directing methods - Cultural context of pre-war Japan Common criticisms: - Ends abruptly at Rashomon (1950), omitting his later career - Some find his writing style dry or formal - Limited discussion of his personal life Ratings: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) Sample review: "Kurosawa writes with the same eye for detail that he brought to his movies. The only disappointment is that it ends too soon." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "His descriptions of old Tokyo are worth the price alone." - Amazon reviewer

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🎬 The book ends with Kurosawa's film "Rashomon" (1950), deliberately excluding his later masterpieces like "Seven Samurai" to maintain focus on his formative years. 🎨 Before becoming a filmmaker, Kurosawa initially pursued a career as a painter and was deeply influenced by his elder brother Heigo, who worked as a benshi (silent film narrator). 🌏 The Great Kantō earthquake of 1923, which devastated Tokyo when Kurosawa was 13, is vividly described in the memoir and profoundly impacted his worldview. 📚 The book's title refers to a Japanese folk remedy where someone suffering from insomnia is advised to look at a toad's reflection in water - suggesting the therapeutic nature of self-reflection. 🎥 At P.C.L. Studios (later Toho), Kurosawa spent seven years as an assistant director under Kajirō Yamamoto, who became his mentor and taught him the fundamentals of filmmaking.