Japanese movie stars born in 1909
Here are 8 famous actors from Japan were born in 1909:
Shin Saburi
Shin Saburi (February 12, 1909 Utashinai-September 22, 1982 Itabashi) also known as Shimazu Gen, Gen Shimazu, Ishizaki Yoshio, Yoshio Ishizaki or Saburi Shin was a Japanese actor and film director. His child is called Jiro Ishizaki.
Shin Saburi was born in Utashinai, Hokkaido, Japan. He started his career in the film industry in the 1930s, working as an actor and assistant director. He became well-known for his roles in films such as "Mikio Naruse's Repast" and Yasujiro Ozu's "Tokyo Story". Saburi also worked as a film director, directing several films in the 1950s.
During World War II, Saburi was drafted into the Japanese army and was sent to China. After the war, he returned to Japan and resumed his career in the film industry. Saburi continued to act in films until his death in 1982 at the age of 73. His legacy in the film industry lives on as one of the most distinguished actors of his time.
Eitarô Ozawa
Eitarô Ozawa (March 27, 1909 Tokyo-April 23, 1988) a.k.a. Eitaro Ozawa, Saka Ozawa, Ei Ozawa, Sakae Ozawa, Ozawa Eitarō or Ozawa Ei was a Japanese actor.
He made his acting debut in 1926 in the film "Kōshi no tsumi" and went on to appear in over 400 films throughout his career. Ozawa was known for his versatility as an actor, portraying a variety of characters ranging from stern authority figures to comedic roles. He worked with some of Japan's most prominent directors, including Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu. His notable films include "Sanshiro Sugata" (1943), "Seven Samurai" (1954), and "Yojimbo" (1961). In addition to his film work, Ozawa also acted in television dramas and stage productions.
Ichirô Tsukida
Ichirô Tsukida (October 11, 1909 Iwakuni-September 27, 1945) also known as 月田 一郎, Tsukida Ichirô or つきた いちろう was a Japanese actor. His child is called Michiko Saga.
Tsukida Ichirô was known for his roles in various films and theatre productions in Japan during the 1930s and 1940s. He was popular for his dynamic acting skills and impressive stage presence. Some of his notable works include the film "Ankokugai Sôdô" (Trouble in the Dark), which was released in 1933 and directed by the renowned Yasujirō Ozu. He also appeared in other films such as "Kan'ai no Musume" (Daughter of Marriage) and "Ketto Takadanobaba" (Fight at Takadanobaba).
Aside from acting, Tsukida was also a member of the Japanese army during World War II. He held the rank of second lieutenant and was stationed in the Philippines. Unfortunately, he was killed in action during the war, just a few weeks before Japan's surrender.
Tsukida Ichirô's legacy in the Japanese entertainment industry lives on, and he remains a beloved figure among his fans and colleagues. His daughter Michiko Saga also followed in his footsteps, becoming an actress herself and appearing in numerous films and dramas.
Kanzaburo Nakamura XVII
Kanzaburo Nakamura XVII (July 29, 1909 Tokyo-April 16, 1988 Tokyo) also known as なみの せいじ, Nakamura Kanzaburo XVII, 十七代目 中村 勘三郎, じゅうななだいめ なかむら かんざぶろう, じゅうしちだいめ なかむら かんざぶろう, なかむら かんざぶろう, 中村勘三郎 (17代目), Namino Seiji, 波野 聖司, Seiji Namino, Nakamura Kanzaburo, 三代目中村米吉, 四代目中村もしほ or 舞鶴 was a Japanese actor. He had three children, Kuriko Namino, Chiyoe Sawamura and Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII.
Nakamura Kanzaburo XVII was a renowned Kabuki actor who was considered to be one of the greatest of his generation. He began his acting career at the age of six and went on to become the head of the Nakamura family, a prestigious position in the Kabuki world. He was known for his powerful performances, skilled dance movements, and charismatic stage presence. He also worked as a film actor and appeared in several popular movies during the 1950s and 1960s. Outside of acting, he also served as a politician and was a member of the Japanese House of Councillors. Despite his success, Nakamura Kanzaburo XVII faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including censorship and the decline of Kabuki's popularity in modern times. Nonetheless, his legacy lives on and continues to inspire future generations of Kabuki actors.
Ichikawa Danjūrō XI
Ichikawa Danjūrō XI (January 6, 1909 Nihonbashi-November 10, 1965) also known as Danjūrō Ichikawa XI, Horikoshi Haruo, Ichikawa Ebizo IX or Haruo Horikoshi was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Ichikawa Danjūrō XII and Ichikawa Kobai II.
Ichikawa Danjūrō XI was a renowned Japanese kabuki actor who belonged to the famous Ichikawa family line of kabuki actors. He is considered as one of the most distinguished actors of his time, and his career spanned over five decades from the 1920s to the 1960s. Danjūrō XI was passionate about preserving the traditional style and techniques of kabuki acting and was committed to training a new generation of kabuki performers. He played a variety of roles in his career, ranging from heroic warriors to comic characters. He also starred in several films and television dramas, which helped to popularize kabuki theatre to wider audiences. In recognition of his contributions to the performing arts, Danjūrō XI was awarded the prestigious Order of Culture in 1961.
Kunitaro Kawarazaki
Kunitaro Kawarazaki (October 14, 1909 Kanda, Tokyo-October 11, 1990) also known as Kawarasaki Kunitaro, Taro Matsuyama, Matsuyama Taro or Kawarazaki Kunitaro was a Japanese actor. He had three children, Eitaro Matsuyama, Seiji Matsuyama and Rie Matsuyama.
Kawarazaki started his acting career in 1931 and was considered as one of the most prominent actors in Japan during his time. He was known for his versatility in portraying different roles in both film and theater. Some of his notable performances were in the films "The Burmese Harp" and "An Actor's Revenge." He was also known for his roles in the theater productions of "Chushingura" and "The Ballad of Narayama."
Apart from his acting career, Kawarazaki was also recognized for his contribution to Japanese culture. He received numerous awards, including the Order of Culture from the Emperor of Japan in 1987. He passed away in Tokyo at the age of 80.
Mantarô Ushio
Mantarô Ushio (February 4, 1909 Asakusa, Tokyo-April 8, 2000) a.k.a. Sakujirô Shibata was a Japanese actor.
He began his career as an actor in 1928 and appeared in over 400 films, mostly in supporting roles. Ushio worked with many of the greatest directors in Japanese cinema, including Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, and Yasujirō Ozu. He was known for his versatility in portraying characters ranging from comic relief to serious dramatic roles. Ushio won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Mainichi Film Awards in 1957 for his performance in the film "The Life of Oharu."
Kiiton Masuda
Kiiton Masuda (September 11, 1909 Hakodate-December 1, 1993 Hakodate) a.k.a. Hajime Kimura or Keaton Masuda was a Japanese actor and comedian.
Masuda was best known for his work in the Japanese film industry during the 1930s and 1940s. He appeared in over 120 films and was often cast in comedic roles. Masuda's signature slapstick humor and witty dialogue made him a beloved figure in Japanese entertainment. He continued to act until the 1980s, and in his later years, he wrote a book about his experiences as a comedian. Masuda was also a skilled musician and his talents on the shamisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, were often showcased in his films.