Masakane Yonekura was a Japanese actor, voice actor, stage director, author, and illustrator. He was born in Fukuoka, Japan, on July 10, 1934. He passed away on August 26, 2014, at the age of 80. Yonekura began his career in 1957 when he joined the Gekidan Mingei theatre company, where he became a central member.

While primarily known for his extensive work in live-action film and television, Yonekura also contributed to the anime industry with his voice. His voice acting credits are selective but notable. In 1973, he provided the narration for the film Miyamoto Musashi and voiced The Priest in the animated film Belladonna of Sadness. He also performed narration for the 1988 anime series Raining Fire.

Yonekura's career was marked by frequent and successful collaborations, most prominently with film director Yoji Yamada. He appeared in numerous installments of the long-running and beloved Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It's Tough Being a Man) film series, starring Kiyoshi Atsumi. His work with Yamada spanned at least seven films. He was also a familiar face on Japanese television, with roles in several high-profile taiga dramas, including Kunitori Monogatari (1973), Katsu Kaishū (1974), and Shiroi Kyotō (1978). Later in his career, he appeared in the series Saka no Ue no Kumo (2009-2011).

Beyond acting, Masakane Yonekura was a multifaceted artist. He worked as a stage director and was also an accomplished illustrator and picture book author. His creative talents extended to writing, with published works of literature to his name. This diverse body of work established him as a respected and versatile figure in Japanese arts and entertainment.