**Eitarô Shindô** (1899-1977) was one of the most celebrated and versatile Japanese actors of classical cinema. Known for his imposing screen presence and his ability to portray a wide range of characters, Shindô excelled in antagonist roles: ruthless yakuza, corrupt officials, despotic masters, or ambiguous figures of power.

His career spanned decades, working with legendary directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Kenji Mizoguchi. Among his most memorable performances are those in masterpieces such as Kurosawa's *Rashomon* (1950) and *Seven Samurai* (1954), where he often embodied authoritative figures, and Mizoguchi's *Ugetsu Monogatari* (1953), where he expressed his dramatic intensity. His stern figure and deep voice made him an iconic face of Japanese cinema.