Yamada Yoji graduated Tokyo University in 1954, the year he joined Shochiku as an assistant director. In 1969, he launched the popular Tora-san series, the world's longest theatrical film series. The Twilight Samurai (Tasogare Seibei (2002)) marks his 77th film as well as his 41th year as a director since his first film in 1961: Nikai no Tanin (Stranger Upstairs). By: Anonymous