Poet of Rhythm and Laughter - Frankie Sakai, the Heartbeat of the 1970s

Poet of Rhythm and Laughter - Frankie Sakai, the Heartbeat of the 1970s

Frankie Sakai was one of the leading figures in Japanese entertainment in the 1970s, combining his sense of rhythm as a jazz drummer with his versatility as an actor. He brought laughter and excitement to movies and TV shows such as "Otoko wa Tsuraiyo" (Otoko wa Tsuraiyo) and "Shikata Sanshiro" (Shikata Sanshiro), giving people a sense of security. At a time when Japan was beginning to question its culture and humanity after a period of rapid economic growth, Sakai's performances brought hope and healing to audiences. My role is not just to make people laugh. They are there to lighten people's hearts, if only a little." As his words symbolize, he kept the pulse of the times beating.