Yoshirō Edamasa (枝正 義郎, Edamasa Yoshirō, 22 September 1888 – 8 September 1944) was a Japanese film director best known for Sakamoto Ryoma (1928) and The Great Buddha Arrival (1934).^[2] The latter film is one of the earliest tokusatsu movies, which is exemplified by kaiju movies.^[3] He was an early pioneer of Japanese cinema who trained many outstanding directors and cinematographers including Eiji Tsuburaya.^[4]

Edamasa was born in Kushima, Saeki, Hiroshima Prefecture (present-day Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima).^[5]

In 1910, he began working in the film industry when he was hired by Yoshizawa Shōten.^[1] He later worked as an operator also for Fukuhōdō , Tōyō Shōkai and Tenkatsu Nippori.^[1]

He made his debut as a director in 1919 on the film Ai no kyoku which was considered to be one of the most advanced films of that time.^[6] By the end of the 1930s, Edamasa had directed more than 20 films.^[1]

Edamasa belonged to a group of directors who emphasized the realistic style of acting.^[7]

• Yoshitsune sembon zakura^[8] (1914) - Cinematographer
• Ninjutsu kaiso Koga Saburou (1918) - Cinematographer^[8]
• Momochi sandayu (1918) - Cinematographer^[8]
• Ai no kyoku (1919) - Director and Cinematographer^{[citation needed]}
• Awaremi no kyoku (1919) - Director^[8]
• Shima no tsuka (1920) - Director^[8]
• Korokuden (1924) - Director^{[citation needed]}
• Fuyuki shinju^[8] (1924) - Director^[8]
• Sakamoto Ryoma ^[8](1928) - Director^[8]
• Tsukigata hanpeita (1929) - Director^{[citation needed]}
• Higo no komageta^[8] (1929) - Director
• kōboro kakū no kyōjin^[8] (1932) - Director
• The Great Buddha Arrival (1934)^[9] - Director (Last work)^[9]