Meet "HAMACHAN" - Hamasaki Densuke
lead character of the "Tsuribaka Nisshi" series of movies

Hamachan with a doubleheader, as Suzuki-san looks on

Hamasaki Densuke, affectionately known as "Hamachan," is the hero (or anti-hero) of the Tsuribaka Nisshi (fishing crazy diary) series of movies that are very popular in Japan. That's him on the left in these pictures, played by actor Toshiyuki Nishida. The whole premise of this series (as far as I can tell) deals with the cheerful Hamachan and his family and corporate lives, all the while thinking about his next fishing trip. His priorities are family first, fishing a close second, and his professional life a distant third. Hamachan's morals and love for his wife and family are rock-solid, and he would never compromise on either. He is simple in that he is always honest to everyone, no matter where they may sit in a corporate hierarchy. And the pleasures in life are clear to him -- FISHING.

note Hamachan's pained expression as he poses with a fish much smaller than Mr. Suzuki's whopper The most interesting twist is Hamachan's relationship with the owner and CEO of his company, Mr. Suzuki (on the right in the above pictures). The two became fishing buddies, before they found out that they both worked for the same company--Hamachan the salaryman, and Suzuki-san the CEO. Within the company, they keep their relationship a secret. But on the ocean, Hamachan is the sensei (teacher), and Mr. Suzuki is the eager student. Mr. Suzuki clearly respects Hamasaki Densuke as an honest and honorable man. He only wishes Hamachan would have a more serious and stringent attitude toward his professional career. But that is not who Hamachan is.

Toshiyuki Nishida as Hamachan autograph During the late winter of 1998, right after the Winter Olympics in Nagano, my friend was visiting Japan on business, when who did she spot but Hamachan himself. They were filming on a street in the Ginza district, and Toshiyuki Nishida was strolling along towards her and her colleague. Apparently they were between takes, and she let him know that she knew who he was, and asked for his autograph. Mr. Nishida happily obliged, much to the chagrin of his agent, who wanted to keep moving. But instead of just his autograph, Mr. Nishida also drew a caricature of himself as Hamachan. I think that he was flattered that this blond female gaijin recognized him, and he was happy to please an international fan.
The movies are interesting and fun in that they offer a slice of life in another country, as well as a glimpse of a true fishing fanatic.