Like
elsewhere, there was strong censorship before and during WW II. Censorship continued during the American
occupation (1945-52), though it became less strict after 1949.
As in the US, there were independent competing studios. There were four "majors," each associated with an important director*.
Directors took on a strong popular role and were widely known among the general public. They, as much (or even more) than stars were key box office attractions.
Next: Akira Kurosawa
Here are the four major Japanese studios and the directors with which they are associated:
Nikkatsu, with Kon Ichikawa;
Shochiku, associated with Yasujiro Ozu;
ToHo, associated with Akira Kurosawa (and with Godzilla pictures);
Daiei (later Kadokawa), associated with Kenji Mizoguchi].
Like American film, Japanese film has genres and stock characters, but they are different than Western film. Some of these include:
Jidai-geki are genre films. Jidai-geki "proper" are costume dramas of the Tokugawa era (1615-1868) sub-genres treat other eras (for example Meiji-mono treats 1868-1912)
Gendai-geki are genre films of modern life. Sub-genres include middle-class drama or comedy, mother picture, wife picture, non-sense picture, gangster picture, youth picture, J-horror...
Tateyaku is a male stock character: modeled on the ideal samurai; the stoic man of few words who choses loyalty above all.
Nimaime is a male stock character: an undependable often pathetic character but also one who through dependence on others denies heroism and advocates mutual cooperation.