Kaichi Yamamoto
Kaichi Yamamoto, also known as Yamakichi, was a distinguished Japanese actor renowned for his performances in both contemporary and period films. He was a prominent figure at Nikkatsu studios following the era of Onoe Matsunosuke. At the age of 18 in 1895, he joined the "Kawakami Onjuro Troupe," a prominent New School (Shinpa) theater group led by Onjuro Kawakami. Four years later, at the age of 22, Yamamoto participated in the troupe's overseas performances, including those in the United States, showcasing his talent on international stages. In 1917, he was invited to join the Nikkatsu Mukojima Studio, where he transitioned to film acting after a prolific 22-year theatrical career, shortly before turning 40. His first film at Nikkatsu, "Tsuyu no Chigiri" (Oath of Dew), was released on June 30, 1917, at the Asakusa Opera Hall. After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, which devastated the Mukojima Studio, Yamamoto transferred to Nikkatsu Kyoto Studio. He continued to excel in contemporary dramas, including films like "Okina to Seizo" (Okina and Seizo) and "Toge no Uta" (The Song of the Mountain Pass), the latter being part of the New Year's line-up in 1924[3]. For over a decade, he resided in Kyoto, where he became a stalwart in period dramas, particularly after the passing of Kabuki actor Onoe Matsunosuke. In 1934, with the establishment of Nikkatsu Tamagawa Studio (now Kadokawa Daiei Studio) as a hub for contemporary dramas, Yamamoto moved there and appeared in films like "Aizou Toge" (Love and Hate Pass). Yamamoto's filmography boasts a remarkable 250-plus films, demonstrating his enduring legacy in Japanese cinema. He passed away on December 17, 1939, at the age of 62, having left an indelible mark on the world of acting and film.
The 26 Martyrs of Japan
as Petrus Baptista BlásquezJesuit priests in Japan during the 17th century are persecuted by the shogunate to for trying to...
Movie pageJean Valjean: Part Two
as uncreditedThe second part of the melodrama based on the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, the action of...
Movie pageEarth
as UkichiKanji is a poor peasant widower who struggles to earn a living for his daughter and himself and...
Movie pageJean Valjean: Part One
as uncreditedThe first part of a fascinating melodrama based on Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, the action of...
Movie pageZoku Mito Kōmon
as Mito KōmonThe earliest existing version (incomplete) of Mito Komon history. It was one of the most famous...
Movie pageA Paper Doll's Whisper of Spring
as uncreditedDirected by Kenji Mizoguchi.
Movie page