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I remember when I first joined the MOAG forum @ IMDb, there was another member pushing his/her new Ken Watanabe website. I visited a couple of times, and it's pretty good. But I don't recall the link.


But yeah, Ken's a fine actor. Like most, I'm sure, I first heard of him from his role in The Last Samurai. His English sounds much better now than then. And after having read the novel, I thought he was perfect for the role of The Chairman.

The memoirs of Ken Watanabe
Deccan Herald
March 26, 2006

Ken Watanabe, who has delivered powerful performances in The Last Samurai and Batman Begins, talks about his role in the recently released Memoirs of a Geisha

What was your biggest challenge in Memoirs of a Geisha?

I always acted the strong guy, active and aggressive. But this time its a totally different type of character. And the Chairman is so generous and simple and smooth. But he didnt want to show his passion inside. It's so difficult to act him in our script. Why did he stop loving? Why? And so that is my big challenge.


Your character The Chairman is vulnerable. Do you feel this is old-fashioned?

I dont think so. The geisha world is kind of like a frame, yeah. We want to make it a real good love story.


Did you audition just for the Chairman?

No. When I met Rob, after the premiere of The Last Samurai, two years ago, he completely offered to me the Chairman, right.


You are a Japanese. Did you follow any tradition before shooting?

Yeah, in Japan before shooting, we usually pray about something, health and no accidents during shooting. And, usually we invite a real monk, but in this case we couldnt invite one.


So did that make it a Japanese movie?

I think this is not a Japanese movie. This is a Rob Marshall movie, right. And so this movie is made up of the many sounds, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, English. But the tone of this movie was Japanese, but the music was written in English. Complex, very complicated.

Rob took his time before shooting for us, for each character, for each instrument, to get the harmony. And so he rehearsed for a month, and we got just some kind of ensemble.

We found a way, a language created. And we were so fine and comfortable during shooting.


When the movie is seen in Japan, will they be seeing something Japanese?

I think this is not a documentary, yes, and totally different. And so I understand about this its a Rob Marshall fantasy love story.


What are the best parts of their customs, the Japanese ones or the Western ones?

I think Japan has a tradition, so many years. And the United States is very contemporary feeling and creative, but I always looked forward to the different feelings, as an actor, as I always search or am inspired about the culture and the custom and anything.


Have you ever enjoyed a geisha yourself?

Sometimes, very rarely, yeah. I'm embarrassed, still young and too expensive. But, yes, sometimes I was invited in the teahouse with a geisha. I understood about the geisha, real good geisha presents a beautiful night, kind of like a dream. Good service of a dinner, conversation and jokes, beautiful music and wonderful dancing. End of the dinner, oh, touching my heart, beautiful night. Thats all.


And it's not sexy?

Little bit, just a little bit.


What did you think about the novel the first time you read it?

I was so impressed. American novel writer, written in English about the geisha world. Oh, wow! Perfect.


Did the three Chinese actresses treat you well?

I treated them well. I invited them to some kind of dinner. I cooked myself some weekends. And it's the first time I invited Michelle and Gong Li, and I cooked Chinese food. They really enjoyed it.


Who is your favourite actor in the movie?

Everyone, everybody. I was so surprised and impressed with all the characters. Each character has a sadness and a happiness and is angry and smart, has humour. I love every character.


After The Last Samurai, did you feel some pressure in your career?

Probably no, because an actor always focuses on the character in making of a movie. But, of course, I build up a career in Hollywood gradually.

Before The Last Samurai, nobody knew me. But after, a good filmmaker saw me and I could choose a good opportunity. Also, I was a little bit concerned about, which is better, my home country or the huge industry outside.

But now, I dont worry. This whole thing is my career.

So, Ken's to play a Chinese character?