Japanese movie stars born in 1904
Here are 5 famous actors from Japan were born in 1904:
Kenichi Enomoto
Kenichi Enomoto (October 11, 1904 Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo-January 7, 1970) also known as Kenichi 'Enoken' Enomoto, Enomoto Ken’ichi, Enoken, The King of Comedy or Eno-Ken was a Japanese comedian and actor.
Enomoto began his career in entertainment as a stage performer in the 1920s before transitioning to film. He appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, often portraying comedic or slapstick characters. Some of his most notable film roles were in the popular Tora-san series and the Hakuchi film series.
Enomoto was a beloved figure in Japanese entertainment and was known for his high-energy performances and zany humor. He also pursued a career in music, recording several popular songs.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Enomoto was also an avid baseball player and enthusiast. He was involved in the management of a professional baseball team in Japan and was heavily involved in the sport.
Enomoto passed away in 1970 at the age of 65, but his legacy as one of Japan's most iconic and beloved comedians continues to live on.
Enomoto Kenichi, who was popularly known as Enoken or King of Comedy, started performing on stage in his twenties. He was a prominent figure in Manzai, a traditional Japanese style of stand-up comedy. Enoken was also a successful film producer, bringing humor to the silver screen with his performances. In addition to acting and comedy, he had a passion for music and recorded over 90 songs in his career. His hit song "Yosaku" was an instant hit and sold over a million copies. Enoken led a colorful life outside the camera as well. He was a big baseball enthusiast and played the game professionally. He owned a restaurant and a baseball team, Yomiuri Giants. His comic timing and witty performances earned him a lifetime achievement award at the Japan Academy Prize shortly before his death. The Enoken Award, which is presented annually to a Japanese comedian or comedy group, has been established in his honor.
Chishu Ryu
Chishu Ryu (May 13, 1904 Tamana-March 16, 1993 Yokohama) also known as Ryū Chishū, Chishuu Ryuu or Chishû Ryû was a Japanese actor.
Ryu is widely recognized for his collaborations with acclaimed director Yasujiro Ozu, appearing in twenty-one of Ozu's fifty-three films. He is known for his subtle yet powerful performances, often depicting honest and stoic characters. Ryu started his acting career as a teenager in the 1920s and continued to work until his death in 1993. In addition to Ozu's films, he also appeared in movies by other prominent Japanese directors such as Mikio Naruse and Kozaburo Yoshimura. Ryu's contributions to Japanese cinema were recognized with numerous awards including the Order of the Rising Sun, one of Japan's highest civilian honors, bestowed upon him in 1988.
Ryu was born as Nagai Shōtarō in Tamana, Kumamoto Prefecture, and later adopted the stage name Chishu Ryu in the early 1920s. He quickly rose to fame thanks to his naturalistic acting style, which allowed him to convey complex emotions with subtle gestures and facial expressions. Ryu's work with Yasujiro Ozu is often regarded as the most significant of his career, and the two men shared a deep personal friendship. Ryu's roles in Ozu's films, such as the father in "Tokyo Story" (1953), are widely considered masterpieces of Japanese cinema.
Apart from acting, Ryu was also a prolific writer and director. He wrote several screenplays and novel adaptations, and directed four films himself, including "The Record of a Tenement Gentleman" (1947), which won the Grand Prix at the Venice Film Festival. Ryu was known for his humility and dedication to his craft, and despite his success, he remained committed to his roles as a "shamisen" player and tea ceremony practitioner. He remained active in films until his death in 1993 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence Japanese cinema to this day.
Kichijiro Ueda
Kichijiro Ueda (March 30, 1904 Kobe-November 3, 1972 Chofu) a.k.a. Masajiro Ueda or Ueda Kichijiro was a Japanese actor.
He is best known for his role as the thief Tajomaru in Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film "Rashomon," which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and helped introduce Japanese cinema to the world. Ueda appeared in more than 200 films in his career, often portraying villains or comic relief characters. He worked with prominent directors such as Yasujiro Ozu, Mikio Naruse, and Kenji Mizoguchi. In addition to acting, Ueda was also a screenwriter and director. He retired from the film industry in the late 1960s and passed away in 1972 at the age of 68.
Ueda was born on March 30, 1904, in Kobe, Japan, and began his acting career in the 1920s, appearing in stage productions and silent films. He gained recognition for his acting skills in the 1930s and became a popular character actor in the Japanese film industry.
After "Rashomon," Ueda continued to work with Kurosawa on several other films, including "The Seven Samurai" (1954) and "Yojimbo" (1961), where he played supporting roles. He also appeared in international productions after gaining fame from "Rashomon," including French director Jean-Pierre Melville's "Bob le Flambeur" (1956).
Ueda was known for his flexibility as an actor, able to switch effortlessly between comic and dramatic roles. He also had the ability to convey complex emotions through facial expressions and body language, which made him a favorite of many Japanese directors.
Aside from his acting career, Ueda was active in the Japanese film industry behind the scenes, having directed and written screenplays for more than 20 films. He also worked as a mentor to younger actors and was involved in training programs for aspiring performers.
Ueda remained active in the film industry up until his retirement in the late 1960s. He died on November 3, 1972, in Chofu, Japan, at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile actor who helped introduce Japanese cinema to the world.
Isamu Kosugi
Isamu Kosugi (February 24, 1904 Ishinomaki-April 8, 1983) also known as Kosugi Isamu, Sukejirō Kosugi or Kosugi was a Japanese film director and actor. He had one child, Taichirô Kosugi.
Kosugi began his film career in 1927 as an assistant director at Shochiku studios. He then went on to direct his first film, "The Boss's Son" in 1933. Kosugi worked on a variety of films throughout his career, including dramas, comedies, and samurai films. Some of his most notable works include "Bakumatsu taiyô-den" (1957) and "Ninjô kamifusen" (1954). Kosugi was also known for his acting roles in films such as "Yojimbo" (1961) and "Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman" (1962). In addition to his work in the film industry, Kosugi also directed television dramas and worked as a film critic. He passed away in 1983 at the age of 79.
Some additional information about Isamu Kosugi is that he was a prolific filmmaker, having directed over 80 films throughout his career. Despite his significant contributions to the industry, he was not as well-known or celebrated as other Japanese directors of his time such as Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu. Kosugi was also known for his precise attention to detail and meticulous planning, often storyboarding his films extensively before shooting. He was also involved in the formation of the Japan Directors Association, a group that sought to improve conditions for filmmakers in Japan. In 1976, Kosugi was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, a prestigious Japanese honor for individuals who have made significant contributions to their country.
Johji Oka
Johji Oka (May 27, 1904 Kyōbashi-) a.k.a. Joji Oka, Katsuzo Nakamizo, Shin Minobe or Jôji Oka is a Japanese actor.
Johji Oka was a notable actor during the golden age of Japanese cinema in the 1920s and 1930s. He was often credited under various aliases, including Katsuzo Nakamizo, Shin Minobe, and Joji Oka. He began his acting career in the silent film era and appeared in numerous films throughout the 1930s. Oka was known for his versatility and the range of characters he played, from romantic leads to villains. He continued to act in films into the 1960s, making over 250 appearances on screen. Oka was also a noted performer on the Japanese stage and was considered to be one of the leading actors of his generation. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government. Even after retiring from acting, Oka remained active in the entertainment industry, serving as a judge for several film festivals and working as a mentor for young actors.
In addition to his successful career in acting, Johji Oka was also a prolific writer. He wrote several novels, short stories, and essays throughout his life, many of which were adapted into films. Oka was a respected film critic and served as the president of the Japan Film Association for many years. He was a strong advocate for the preservation of Japanese cinema and worked to catalog and restore many films from the silent era that were in danger of being lost. In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Oka was posthumously inducted into the Japanese Academy Awards Hall of Fame in 1990. Today, he is remembered as one of the most versatile and talented actors in the history of Japanese cinema.