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.
Known For
Credits
- 1939 · Earth as Ukichi
- 1938 · Jinsei Gekijo: Zankyaku hen as
- 1937 · The Naked Town as
- 1936 · Great Bodhisattva Pass 2 as
- 1934 · Happy Daughter as Shuzou Maeda
- 1932 · Banquet Under the Midnight Sun as
- 1932 · Hatobue wo Fuku Onna as
- 1931 · The 26 Martyrs of Japan as Petrus Baptista Blásquez
- 1931 · Jean Valjean: Part Two as
- 1931 · Jean Valjean: Part One as
- 1930 · Mistress of a Foreigner as Harris
- 1929 · Metropolitan Symphony as Oike Den'emon
- 1928 · Zoku Mito Kōmon as Mito Kōmon
- 1927 · Sonno Joi as Tokugawa Nariaki
- 1927 · Jihishincho as
- 1927 · Zōho kaitei Chūshingura as Kôzukenosuke Kira
- 1926 · Mito Kōmon as
- 1926 · A Paper Doll's Whisper of Spring as
- 1924 · Moken no himitsu as
- 1923 · Foggy Harbour as Old sailor Senkichi
- 1923 · Anguish of a Human Being as
- 1923 · Aiyoku no nayami as
- 1923 · Skull Dance as 瑞雲寺住職日高泰禅老師
- 1923 · The Homeland as Wealthy farmer Tsuda Kinzo
- 1923 · The Day Love Came Back as
- 1918 · The Living Corpse as
- 1918 · Akatsuki as