Ryōtarō Sugi

(born 14 August 1944, Kobe) is a Japanese singer and actor. He is the father of actor Jundai Yamada.

He appeared in Sukima Kaze, which sold over a million copies. His acting credits include 18 films. On television, he specialized in jidaigeki roles, appearing as the first Suke-san in Mito Kōmon (seasons 1 and 2); his son Jundai Yamada played Kaku-san in the same show (seasons 29 to 31). He played the lead character in Ōedo Sōsamō, appearing from 1970-74. In the 1971–72 season he portrayed Isshin Tasuke in a series of the same name, and from 1975 to 1977 he played Tōyama no Kin-san; his Sukima Kaze was the theme song. With former Miss Universe contestant Hisako Manda he starred in (1992–94).

Filmography

Film Tokyo Drifter 2: The Sea is Bright Red as the Color of Love (1966) Man Who Causes a Storm (1966) A Colt Is My Passport (1967) Shinran: The Purpose of Life (2025) – old Shinran (voice)

Television Moeyo Ken (1966) – Okita Sōji Mito Kōmon (1969) – Sukesan Ten to Chi to (1969) – Oda Nobunaga Ōedo Sōsamō (1970–74) – Jūmonji Koyata Kunitori Monogatari (1973) – Azai Nagamasa Takeda Shingen (1988) – Hōjō Ujiyasu Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1998) – Ii Naosuke

Honours Medal with Green ribbon (2008) Medal with Purple Ribbon (2009) Person of Cultural Merit (2016)