Some of Japan's most iconic film characters, including Godzilla and the Seven Samurai, are reunited at a Tokyo exhibition that recalls the great age of Japanese film, and features Japanese-film specialties -- monsters and samurai.

"Toho Studios - Innovative Filmmakers in Setagaya," which opened on Feb. 21 at the Setagaya Art Museum, explores the creative legacy of Toho Studios, which started as the Photo Chemical Laboratory in 1932 and has been the birthplace of countless films since. Among the most memorable, "Godzilla" and "Seven Samurai" were both released in 1954 and came to symbolize the studio's golden age.

The exhibition introduces many of the creative people who worked for the studio over its 80-year history, exploring how the films were made, with a special focus on the two legendary films.

At the opening reception on Feb. 20, museum director Tadayasu Sakai said the exhibition "deciphers Toho Studios in the context of an art museum," and "conveys the sentiments of the times in many ways."

Godzilla's lead actor Akira Takarada, now 80, recalled, "One day, I was given a screenplay, with 'Godzilla' in black letters on a red cover. I realized I had got my first lead role, something I had been dreaming of."

Godzilla depicts the imagined consequences of nuclear power out of control and featured special effects remarkable for the time. As can be seen in storyboards, design sketches and production albums, director Ishiro Honda collaborated closely with special-effects director Eiji Tsuburaya to bring the monster to life and work it into a serious dramatic story. The studio eventually produced 28 Godzilla movies by 2004, and is scheduled to release another in 2016.

The filming of "Seven Samurai" (1954) directed by Akira Kurosawa, on location. Illustration: Toho Co. (private collection)

"Seven Samurai" is widely considered one the masterpieces of the great Akira Kurosawa, with its dynamic, unprecedented swordfight in the rain and the innovative camera work and editing that fascinated audiences around the world.

On display along with photos and sketches, is Mr. Kurosawa's brush-written memorial address to the late Toshiro Mifune, the lead actor in many Kurosawa films, including "Seven Samurai." The address recalls Mr. Kurosawa's astonishment at how speedy Mr. Mifune's movements were, unlike most Japanese actors. Mr. Kurosawa also acknowledged that without Mr. Mifune, his works would have been "completely different."

Mr. Kurosawa enjoyed a lifetime friendship with "Godzilla" director Mr. Honda. They spent their apprenticeships as assistant directors under mentor Kajiro Yamamoto. Mr. Honda worked as assistant director and adviser on Mr. Kurosawa's later works, such as "Kagemusha" (1980) and "Dreams" (1990).

Haruo Nakajima, the suit actor who played the original Godzilla, and who played a bandit in "Seven Samurai," told The Wall Street Journal that Mr. Kurosawa used to peek in on "Godzilla" production to see how it was going.

The exhibition encompasses many of the studio's other productions, including war propaganda films featuring special effects that laid the foundation for "Godzilla." It also covers artworks inspired by post-war labor disputes at the studio between 1946 to 1948 that were ultimately settled after U.S. forces mobilized tanks and aircraft.

The exhibition runs through April 19.