Ken'ichi Enomoto (榎本 健一, Enomoto Ken'ichi; October 11, 1904 – January 7, 1970) was a popular Japanese singing comedian…
Ken'ichi Enomoto (榎本 健一, Enomoto Ken'ichi; October 11, 1904 – January 7, 1970) was a popular Japanese singing comedian, mostly known by his stage name Enoken (エノケン). A major innovator during his heyday, Enoken's stage shows, radio appearances, and film roles were a major influence within Tokyo theatre before World War II, and was a catalyst for the revival of comedy in the postwar period. Born in Aoyama, Tokyo, the son of rice cracker shop owners, Enomoto fell under the spell of such stars of the Asakusa Opera as Taya Rikizo and Fujiwara Yoshie, and in 1922 he made his stage debut at age 18 as a chorus member of the Asakusa Kinryukan Theatre. The Great Kantō earthquake of the following year dealt a great blow to the opera world in Tokyo, at which time Enomoto shifted to comic theatre. Playing small roles in various comedy productions, he returned to the Asakusa stage in 1929 as part of the troupe Casino Folies. The following year saw him launch his own troupe, Enoken Gekidan, which would firmly establish him as a leading figure in Tokyo theatrical circles. In 1934, he starred in the movie Enoken no Seishun Suikoden (Enoken's Tale of Youth's Folly), and gained national popularity. His subsequent film career saw him parody a whole parade of Japanese historical personages, including Kondō Isami and Sakamoto Ryōma, in a series of "jidai-geki" (historical dramas) and "chanbara" (samurai drama) films, including some directed by Kajirō Yamamoto, Nobuo Nakagawa and Akira Kurosawa. Enomoto became afflicted with necrosis of the right leg in the 1950s, which required amputation, curtailing his film and stage career. He did, however, make a legendary comeback at the Shinjuku Koma Theater 1963 wearing a prosthetic leg. He died in 1970, and is entombed in Hase Temple in Nishi-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo, on whose tombstone is inscribed "The King of Comedy".
Famous People Born on October 11
October 11: 57 people
Masanobu Tsuji (辻 政信, Tsuji Masanobu; 11 October 1902 – disappeared c. 1961) was a Japanese army officer, politician…
Masanobu Tsuji (辻 政信, Tsuji Masanobu; 11 October 1902 – disappeared c. 1961) was a Japanese army officer, politician, and war criminal. During World War II, he was an important tactical planner in the Imperial Japanese Army and developed the detailed plans for the successful Japanese invasion of Malaya at the start of the war. He also helped plan and lead the final Japanese offensive during the Guadalcanal campaign. A Pan-Asianist, Tsuji pressured Asian countries to support Japan in World War II, despite being involved in atrocities such as the Bataan Death March and Sook Ching mass killings. He meticulously planned the mass murders in Singapore and surrounding regions, personally overseeing the Pantingan River massacre. He also once cannibalized a downed Allied airman. Tsuji evaded prosecution for Japanese war crimes at the end of the war and hid in Thailand. He returned to Japan in 1949 and was elected to the Diet as an advocate of renewed militarism. Through the 1950s he worked for American intelligence alongside Takushiro Hattori. In 1961, he disappeared on a trip to Laos. Tsuji was among the most aggressive and influential Japanese militarists. He was a leading proponent of the concept of gekokujō, (literally "the bottom overthrowing the top") by acting without or contrary to authorization. He incited the 1939 border clash with the Soviet Union and was a vehement advocate of war against the United States. According to historian John W. Dower, Tsuji was a "fanatical ideologue and pathologically brutal staff officer".
Kim Seong-su (Korean: 김성수; Hanja: 金性洙; October 11, 1891 – February 18, 1955), art name Inchon, was a Korean educator…
Kim Seong-su (Korean: 김성수; Hanja: 金性洙; October 11, 1891 – February 18, 1955), art name Inchon, was a Korean educator, independence activist, journalist, entrepreneur, politician, and calligrapher. He served as the second Vice President of South Korea from 1951 to 1952. Kim Seong-su founded Korea University and The Dong-A Ilbo. He graduated from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, majoring in Political Science and Economics.
Morishige Takei (武井 守成, Takei Morishige; 1890–1949) was a Japanese composer and court official during the reign of…
Morishige Takei (武井 守成, Takei Morishige; 1890–1949) was a Japanese composer and court official during the reign of Emperor Showa.
Mitsutani Kunishirō (Japanese: 満谷 国四郎; 10 November 1874 in Okayama Prefecture – 12 July 1936 in Tokyo) was a Japanese…
Mitsutani Kunishirō (Japanese: 満谷 国四郎; 10 November 1874 in Okayama Prefecture – 12 July 1936 in Tokyo) was a Japanese painter in the yōga style.
Hōō Umagorō (鳳凰 馬五郎; September 3, 1866 – May 4, 1907) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Narashino…
Hōō Umagorō (鳳凰 馬五郎; September 3, 1866 – May 4, 1907) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Narashino, Shimōsa. He made his debut in May 1887 and wrestled for Miyagino stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1893 and reached the rank of ōzeki in 1897. He retired in May, 1903 and died in May, 1907.
Seito Saibara (西原 清東, Saibara Seitō; October 11, 1861 – April 11, 1939) was a Japanese parliament member, politician…
Seito Saibara (西原 清東, Saibara Seitō; October 11, 1861 – April 11, 1939) was a Japanese parliament member, politician, administrator, colonist, and farmer. Apart from his missionary activities, he is credited with having first established the rice industry on the Gulf Coast of the United States.