Who is Yoda?
August 11, 2005 1:17 AM Subscribe
StarWarsGeekFilter: I'm trying to find out the origins of the Star Wars character Yoda. I currently live in Japan, and a buddy of mine who's lived here several years said that he met an old Japanese man who was Lucas' inspiration for the character--Lucas knew him somehow. Unfortunately I didn't get details and that buddy has left the country.
So fast forward to a couple of months ago: I was watching TV and this guy was talking about the new Star Wars flick and they flashed up a picture of Yoda, and then next to it a pic of an old Japanese man named Yorida (family name), who is apparently still alive, living in some small town in Japan. My Japanese ain't so good so I couldn't really tell what they were saying about him.
Does anyone have the skinny on this? My google-fu, as they say, fails me.
BTW, I'm a fairweather fan of Star Wars but by no means fanatical about it, I just think this is interesting as I'm living in Japan.
BTW, I'm a fairweather fan of Star Wars but by no means fanatical about it, I just think this is interesting as I'm living in Japan.
One source says it was Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche, debate partner of the Dalai Lama (search for Yoda in the page).
posted by mcguirk at 4:28 AM on August 11, 2005
posted by mcguirk at 4:28 AM on August 11, 2005
Dont believe rumours unless you get a source. But interesting.
posted by spooksie at 5:04 AM on August 11, 2005
posted by spooksie at 5:04 AM on August 11, 2005
Very interesting question. Sorry I can't add more however. Me stop writing now I will.
posted by sjvilla79 at 6:16 AM on August 11, 2005
posted by sjvilla79 at 6:16 AM on August 11, 2005
This kooky site claims that one of the inspirations for Yoda was the mystic dreamt up by Carlos Castaneda.
posted by jbrjake at 9:26 AM on August 11, 2005
posted by jbrjake at 9:26 AM on August 11, 2005
I found this link that talks about the origins of Yoda.
posted by cincidog at 9:29 AM on August 11, 2005
posted by cincidog at 9:29 AM on August 11, 2005
I've heard that yoda's face was based on Spencer W. Kimball, the head of the LDS church during the release of the original series.
Certainly there is a similarity, although isn't that the because there are really only so many types of old guys?
posted by jgee at 9:44 AM on August 11, 2005
Certainly there is a similarity, although isn't that the because there are really only so many types of old guys?
posted by jgee at 9:44 AM on August 11, 2005
Wikipedia says "Yoda's character is believed by some to have been inspired by the title character in the 1975 Russian-Japanese film Dersu Uzala directed by Akira Kurosawa."
posted by winston at 9:53 AM on August 11, 2005
posted by winston at 9:53 AM on August 11, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
George is also quoted here - " The inspiration for Yoda comes from the midgets seen in the Wizard of Oz. I thought it would be interesting to have the most powerful Jedi of his time be a tiny creature. "
That's enough Star wars for me today.
posted by Frasermoo at 1:48 AM on August 11, 2005