Power Players At Tokyo's Imperial Hotel

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the dinner group at the Imperial Viking restaurant at the Imperial Hotel.

The Imperial Hotel, the one that Steve Martin (Raymond Burr) stayed at while in Tokyo (while there was still a Tokyo) during Godzilla's rampage, saw a group of power players at the hotel's Imperial Viking restaurant gather for a relaxed dinner.

Over the years, I have been treated to many a courtesy and assists by friends from Toho Co., Ltd. and I thought this trip would provide a good opportunity to host a thank-you dinner to return the favor and show my appreciation.

The Imperial Viking was chosen as it was able to accommodate dinner parties and I was seeking an elegant place to treat everyone. The restaurant is on the hotel's 17th floor and had commanding views of Hibiya Park, the Imperial Palace and the National Diet Building.

Above, the view of the lit-up National Diet Building from our table at the Imperial Viking restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those joining Denise and I were Mr. G-FEST himself, Yoshikazu Ishii; former Toho L.A. General Managers Masaharu Ina (now with Toho Cinemas division) and Shozo Watanabe (now with Toho's legal division); former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama; translator and Tohoku documentary star at NHK World, Jessica Claros.

The conversation ranged from what everyone's doing today, remembering Koichi Kawakita, Shin Godzilla (now in production), Godzilla Final Wars, Japanese cuisine, Japan's beaches, Toho's Malibu estate (where Toho's general managers live during their tenures in Los Angeles), my fondness for cheesecake and many other subjects.

"Managing Godzilla" by Shogo Tomiyama

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the cover to "Managing Godzilla" by Shogo Tomiyama. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last Tuesday night, when I threw the little dinner party atop of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, several of my guests brought along gifts.

One of which was a book written by and published this year by former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama.

Above, the Imperial Hotel dinner group. Shogo Tomiyama is second from right. 

Mr. Tomiyama brought an autographed copy of his book, "Managing Godzilla". It is in Japanese, but it is loaded with behind-the-scenes photographs from his years as producer (picking up the torch from Tomoyuki Tanaka) and president of Toho Pictures. This is a book that all Godzilla fans should include in their collections!

It contains 288 pages and is in paperback. Cover price: 2,300 yen.

Above, the autograph. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It can be obtained through www.kadokawa.co.jp/. The ISBN is 978-4-04-869000-3.

At the dinner, I thumbed through the book and marveled at the photographs. I received a good laugh from the dinner group when I mentioned that even though the text is in Japanese, "the pictures are in English."

I had planned to bring along a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for Mr. Tomiyama, but in the rush to get to the dinner, I forgot to bring it. I mailed a copy to Mr. Tomiyama the next day.

Fifth Anniversary: Godzilla's Walk of Fame Induction!

Above, Johnny Grant is Master of Ceremonies at Godzilla's induction.

Fifth Anniversary: Godzilla's Walk of Fame Induction!

Text and Photos by Armand Vaquer

It is a little mind-boggling that it was five years ago this month that we congregated to Hollywood, California for Godzilla's induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and attended the ceremony for the unveiling of his star.

Above, Godzilla blasts the assembled press covering the ceremony.

The late Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant, led the festivities which included an address to the throngs by Toho Executive Producer Shogo Tomiyama. There was a lot of levity in the proceedings as Grant botched the names of different Toho kaiju while reading the history of Godzilla speech (that I prepared for him).

It was a busy weekend. Besides the Walk of Fame ceremony, the premiere of Godzilla Final Wars took place at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Godzilla's star is located in front of the theater. And, the night before the star ceremony, Godzilla appeared as a float in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Above, Godzilla gets his star.

In a way, this also marks the mid-way point for Godzilla's imposed 10-year retirement by Toho. Unless Toho changes its mind, we've another five years to go before Godzilla returns to the big screen.

It was a fun weekend for those who attended.