SHORT TAKES : Japan Society Honors Kurosawa

Akira Kurosawa, Japan’s most influential director and a winner of four Oscars, has received the 1990 Japan Society Award.

Kurosawa, 80, who has made many historical epics among his 28 movies, was honored Monday by the Japan Society for increasing appreciation and understanding of Japanese society and culture.

But Kurosawa was too busy finishing up his latest film, “Rhapsody in August,” to attend the ceremony at the New York Hilton, said his production company. His son, Hisao, president of Kurosawa Production, accepted the award for him.

Kurosawa won Academy Awards for best foreign film in 1951 for “Rashomon,” in 1971 for “Dodes’ Ka’den,” and in 1975 for the Soviet-financed film, “Dersu Uzala.” He received an honorary Oscar this year.

The Japan Society is a private, nonprofit organization devoted to cultural, educational and public affairs and improving U.S.-Japan relations.