Akira Kurosawa, one of Japan's most renowned and influential film directors, passed away on September 6, 1998 at the age of 88. Kurosawa was born in 1910 in Tokyo, and attended Waseda University in Tokyo. After graduating, he worked as an assistant director in the Japanese film industry, where he quickly established himself as a skilled director. He is best known for his films Rashomon (1950), Seven Samurai (1954), Ran (1985), and Dreams (1990). Kurosawa won numerous awards throughout his career, including an Honorary Academy Award and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He was also admired worldwide for his influence on other filmmakers, and is considered by many to be one of the most influential directors of all time. His influence can still be seen in the work of contemporary filmmakers. He will be remembered not only for his extraordinary vision and artistry, but also for his humanistic approach to cinema and film-making.