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Shinsaku Himeda

Cinematographer · Died July 29, 1997, aged 80 · Hyogo, Japan

Shinsaku Himeda was a Japanese cinematographer from Kakogawa, Hyōgo Prefecture. Himeda dropped out of Teikoku Art University and started working as an assistant cameraman at the Nikkatsu Tamagawa studio in 1937. In 1949, he promoted to cinematographer.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 19, 1916
Died
July 29, 1997 (aged 80)
From
Hyogo, Japan
Works as
Cinematographer
Titles
9 on MovieCove · 126 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 30% in 30 days

What are Shinsaku Himeda's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Survival.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
20%
Survival
19%
Power
19%
Bonds
17%
Morality
17%
Ideas
7%
Obsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 3 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 2 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 4

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 2

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 1 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 6

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Absurd
3
Melancholic
4
Dread
3
Bittersweet
2
Other
1

How their films linger

Haunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Shinsaku Himeda's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 9 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (4).

Subscription and free streaming for Shinsaku Himeda's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

126 credits, 9 with a MovieCove page.

  • A Paucity of Flying Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Afternoon When Flowers Fell(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • My Phoenix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Cinematographer

  • Those Swell Yakuza(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dangerous Cops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • The Story of Hachikō(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • River of Fireflies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • The Cold-Hearted Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Rouge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • The Guy Who Brings On A Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • To Trap a Kidnapper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • Dear Asuka and My Unborn Child... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • Eijanaika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • Path of the Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • An Ocean to Cross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Vengeance Is Mine(1979)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Never Give Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Cinematographer

  • Junko's Bliss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Cinematographer

  • Sixteen Years Old: Nymphets' Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Proof of the Man(1977)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Painful Bliss: Final Twist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer · as Gang member released from prison

  • Seishojo: hito natsu no keiken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • Tsumatachi no gogo wa yori: kannō no ori (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • Female Teacher: Cherry Boy Hunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • The Sorrow of Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • Ecstasy of the Black Rose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • Tokyo Emmanuelle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • Light of Africa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • Invitation of Lust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • Evening Primrose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • Street of Joy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • Bitterness of Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • The Key (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • The World of Geisha 2 – The Precocious Lad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • Wet Lust: 21 Strippers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • The World of Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • Men and War III: The Final Chapter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • Lovers Are Wet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • Love and Death at Fuji Speedway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Office Lady Diary: Affair of a She-Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Excitement Class: Love Techniques (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Ichijo's Wet Lust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Melancholy Flesh Business: Sensuous Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Manatsu no Yoru no Jôji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Playful White Fingers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Wet Lips (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Men and War II: Land of Love and Sorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • Dangerous Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • Men's Lifetime Dream-A Peep into A Women's Bathhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • Tora! Tora! Tora!(1970)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Following the Unreturned Soldiers: Malaysia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • Biographies of Killers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Gokudô Petenshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Savage Wolf Pack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • East China Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Front Row Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • The Neon Taiheiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Wind of Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Stardust Wharf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Hawk of the Harbour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Cinematographer

  • The Will to Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Cinematographer

  • The Black Sheep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Cinematographer

  • I'll Never Cry! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • The Heart of Hiroshima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • Goodbye Mr. Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • Wandering Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • Return of the Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • The Pornographers(1966)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • When the Flowers Bloom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Cinematographer

  • A Chain of Islands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Cinematographer

  • Dai nippon kosodoro den (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • Intentions of Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • The Beautiful Teenager (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • The Insect Woman(1963)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Distant Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Cinematographer

  • Danger Pays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • The Lucky General (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • Sun and Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • Foundry Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • Lost in the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • A Killer Without a Grave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Pigs and Battleships(1961)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • He Killed Dad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Yami wo saku kuchibue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • The Call of the Foghorn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • Volcano Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • The Drifter from the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • My Second Brother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Cinematographer

  • Yuganda tsuki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Cinematographer

  • Break Down that Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Cinematographer

  • A Man Explodes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Cinematographer

  • Endless Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

  • Red Pier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

  • The Stars Know Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

  • The Nun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

  • A Boy and Three Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

  • Small Rats of the Edo Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Cinematographer

  • Who's the Real Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Cinematographer

  • Birth of a Jazz Maiden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Cinematographer

  • Frankie the Milkman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Cinematographer

  • Semyonov's Gold Ingots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Cinematographer

  • This Is Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Cinematographer

  • Policeman's Diary, Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Cinematographer

  • Policeman's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Cinematographer

  • Konna abekku mita koto nai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Cinematographer

  • Kokoro no nichigetsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Cinematographer

  • Shinzōyaburi no oka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Cinematographer

  • New Enoshima Elegy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Cinematographer

  • Machi no kotengu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Cinematographer

  • Hahakozuru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Cinematographer

  • Escape from the City of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Cinematographer

  • Gunrō no machi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Cinematographer

  • Hida no ko tengu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Cinematographer

  • Dorei no machi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Cinematographer

  • Enoshima Elegy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Cinematographer

  • Bōya monogatari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Cinematographer

  • San akunin to akanbō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Cinematographer

  • Escape Between Midnight and Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Cinematographer

  • Kenjū no mae ni tatsu haha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Cinematographer

  • Lone Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Cinematographer

  • Haha tsubaki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Cinematographer

  • Nagareru hoshi wa ikiteiru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Cinematographer

  • Three Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Cinematographer

  • Haha kōbai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Cinematographer

Career shape

A full career of 126 titles from 1949 to 1990.

Biggest box office

The Story of Hachikō (1987)

$14M worldwide

Highest rated

The Story of Hachikō (1987)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting2 of 126: 1 only acting, 1 with another roleCinematography125 of 126: 124 only cinematography, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score90th

By decade

1940s3 · crew1950s34 · crew1960s36 · crew1970s38 · 2 acting · 37 crew1980s14 · crew1990s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Shinsaku Himeda's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 90th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 88th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 9 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 9 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · cinematographer

Afternoon When Flowers Fell (1989)

84th percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

The Story of Hachikō (1987)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 70/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Shinsaku Himeda's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Shinsaku Himeda work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shinsaku Himeda's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Shōhei Imamura shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles