An assortment of picture postcards featuring scenes from the popular film series "Otoko wa tsuraiyo" went on sale Jan. 20 at post offices throughout Tokyo to honor the series' late star, Kiyoshi Atsumi.A ceremony was held the same day to mark the start of the sales at Shibamata Taishakuten Temple in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, hometown to Atsumi's character, Torajiro Kuruma, popularly known as Tora-san. During the ceremony, actor Gajiro Sato, who played the role of Gen-chan in the films, spoke of Atsumi's kindness and selflessness.Sato remembered one time when he was hospitalized due to a car accident and unable to appear in one of the Tora-san films. Although Atsumi was very busy because shooting had just begun, he visited Sato in his hospital room daily, he said. The memorial postcard project was launched after local residents asked postal authorities to do something to mark the passing of Atsumi last August.
