Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the death of a wonderful friend. Actress and author Kyoko Kishida passed away on Dec. 17, 2006, and Japan lost not only a fantastic stage presence but also an immense creative spirit and inspiration to its young actors.

The first time I saw her was in Hiroshi Teshigahara's 1964 film, "Suna no Onna (Woman in the Dunes)." Back then I was living in Los Angeles, and for some reason — though I knew nothing about Japan in those days — I went along to see it. The scene of the woman brushing sand off her naked body was, to say the least, most arousing; and, from then on, I had a secret crush on her — never dreaming that I would someday live in Japan and not only meet her, but also direct her on stage.

After that I saw her again in a number of films, and her acting range was stunning. To some scenes she brought a lightness, an infectious frivolity; to others, an intensely concentrated wrath. I will never forget her sublime, easy smile when, standing behind the counter, she offered drinks to Daisuke Kato in Yasujiro Ozu's 1962 film, "Sanma no Aji (An Autumn Afternoon)." Altogether, the Western actress most like her is probably Jeanne Moreau.