Ryosaku Takayama is a Japanese artist and model maker, renowned for his involvement in crafting the majority of Kaiju suit for the early Ultraman Series.[1]
Career[]
Takayama was born in 1917 in Yamanashi Prefecture. After moving to Tokyo in 1931, he began working at a bookbinding shop, where he started learning painting with the aspiration to pursue a career in the arts. Due to the impact of World War II, he was conscripted in 1938 and stationed in the Chubu region until 1940.
After retiring, he enrolled in the Nihon Sketch Institute and the Ichiro Fukuzawa Painting Institute. Two years later, he transferred to the Toho Aviation Training Factory, where he engaged in the production of miniature models for filming scenes. After the war, he continued his painting career and participated in the equipment and model production for movies and TV advertisements.
In 1965, Tohl Narita introduced him to Tsuburaya Productions, where he primarily undertook the suit design for Kaiju featured in the Ultraman Series. Takayama, considering the characteristics of "ease of movement, lightweight, and safety," opted for soft and lightweight materials for costume production. After 1970, he predominantly engaged in the field of art, concurrently continuing to create Kaiju suit for Tsuburaya Productions' television series.
Death[]
In 1982, Takayama passed away at the age of 65 due to liver cancer.
Works[]
Takayama contributed to the following series and was responsible for crafting the suit of the following Kaiju:
- Ultra Q (1966)
- Ultraman (1966-1967)
- Ultraseven (1967-1968)
- Alien Waiell
- Eleking
- Miclas
- Alien Pitt
- Alien Pega
- Alien Godola
- Windom
- Alien Cool
- Alien Villa
- Alien Quraso
- Alien Icarus
- Alien Spell
- Alien Metron
- Alien Chibull
- Nurse
- Annon
- King Joe
- Alien Bell
- Gomora
- Alien Shaplay
- Giradorus
- Alien Braco
- Alien Shadow
- Gabura
- Alien Cannan
- Alien Poll
- Gandar
- Star Bem Gyeron
- Alien Borg
- Dinosaur Tank
- Alien Prote
- Alien Platic
- Dallie
- Agira
- Dancan
- Alien Guts
- Crazygon
- Nonmalt
- Alien Tepeto
- Tepeto
- Gorry
- Alien Hook
- Alien Ghose
- Pandon
- Mighty Jack (1968) - Mecha model making
- Fight! Mighty Jack (1968) - Kaiju suit making
- Return of Ultraman (1971-1972)
- Mirrorman (1971-1972)
- Daigoro vs. Goliath (1972) - Kaiju suit making
- Fireman (1973) - Kaiju suit making
- Dinosaur Expedition Born Free (1976-1977) - Tyrannosaurus model making
Other Works[]
- Giant Horde Beast Nezura - Kaiju suit making (unproduced)
- Gamera vs. Barugon - Kaiju suit making
- Silver Kamen - Kaiju suit making
- Iron King - Kaiju suit making
- Tetsujin Tiger Seven - Kaiju suit making
- Denjin Zaborger - Kaiju suit making
Gallery[]
References[]