Enomoto Ken'ichi

Enomoto Ken'ichi

Enomoto Ken'ichi ( Japanese 榎 本 健 一 ; born October 11, 1904 in Aoyama, Akasaka , Tokyo (today: Aoyama, Minato , Tokyo ); † January 7, 1970 ), mainly known by his stage name Enoken ( エ ノ ケ ン ), was a famous singing comedian and actor of Japan .

Enomoto is considered a great innovator of the theater world in Japan in his time. His stage and radio appearances and various film roles had a major impact on the Tokyo theater world before World War II. He also had a major influence on the return of comedy in the post-war period. He is considered the Japanese " Charlie Chaplin ".

Born the son of a rice biscuit shopkeeper in Aoyama, Tokyo , he adored Asakusa opera stars such as Taya Rikizo and Fujiwara Yoshie . In 1922 he started his career at the age of 18 as a choir member of the Asakusa Kinryukan Theater.

The Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 brought about a major upheaval in the Tokyo theater world. At this time, Enomoto switched to comedy. He cast many small roles as a comedian before returning to the Asakusa stage in 1929 as part of the Casino Folly troupe. In 1930 he provided his own company ( Enoken Gekidan ), which immediately made him a leading figure in the Tokyo theater community.

1934 followed the lead role in the film "Enoken no Seishun Suikoden", through which he achieved national fame. His film career was secondary to him. He portrayed many historical Japanese figures, including Kondō Isami and Sakamoto Ryōma . He stepped in historical dramas and samurai films ( jidaigeki ) on, such as the film The men who came to the Tiger tail of Akira Kurosawa .

In the 1950s, his right leg had to be amputated, which ended his career as an actor in film, but in 1963 he made a legendary comeback at the Shinjuku Koma Theater in Tokyo with his prosthetic leg. He died in 1970 and is buried in the Hase Temple in Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo. On his gravestone is chiseled: Jugoi Kunshitō Kigeki Ō Enoken Koko ni Nemuru. ( 従 五位 勲 四 等 喜劇 王 エ ノ ケ ン こ こ に 眠 る , Eng. "The king of the comedy Enoken rests here.").

Web links

• Enomoto Ken'ichi in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• Entry in the list of famous citizens of Minato (English)

Japanese name: As is common in Japan, the family name comes before the first name in this article . Thus Enomoto is the family name, Ken'ichi the first name.