Hidari Bokuzen, born Mikajima Ichiro (三ヶ島一郎) in Kitano, Kotesashi, Iruma, Saitama, Japan, was a Japanese actor and opera singer. He was the second son of an elementary school principal, and his family had been priests at Hikawa Shrine in Mikajima Village for generations, though his grandfather branched off to establish a separate family.

Bokuzen's early education was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's job. He attended Kitano Elementary School (北野小学校) in 1901, Minamiyama Elementary School (南山小学校) in 1902, and graduated from Funabori Elementary School (船堀小学校) in 1905. He briefly worked as an apprentice at a toothbrush shop and later attended a higher elementary school. After graduating in 1909, he took on various jobs including milk and newspaper delivery and construction work. He also briefly attended Rikkyo Junior High School (立教中学校) but dropped out.

In 1914, Bokuzen entered the Imperial Theatre Opera Division (帝国劇場オペラ部) as a third-generation student, initially aiming to be a dancer. However, after the Imperial Theatre’s Western Drama Division disbanded, he joined a small theater troupe. He moved to Kansai in 1920, joining Shinsei Geki (新世劇), and in 1926, he performed with the Shokakuza Tenka troupe under the stage name Mikajima Tensei (三ヶ島天晴).

In 1914, he entered the Imperial Theatre Opera Division (帝国劇場オペラ部) as a third-generation student, learning singing and dance. At the time, he aimed to be a dancer, but when the Imperial Theatre's Western Drama Division disbanded, he abandoned that dream and joined a small theater troupe. In 1920, he moved to Kansai and joined Shinsei Geki (新世劇). In 1926, he joined the Shokakuza Tenka troupe (松鶴座天花一座), performing under the stage name Mikajima Tensei (三ヶ島天晴).

Bokuzen returned to Tokyo in 1935, joining the Moulin Rouge Shinjuku (ムーラン・ルージュ新宿), and later joined Shochiku's (松竹) Mobile Theatre Troupe (移動劇団). During this period, he developed gangrene in his left leg, which led to severe pain. Despite doctors recommending amputation, he chose to continue acting, using crutches for mobility except during filming.

In 1945, after Japan’s defeat in World War II, Bokuzen joined the Theatre Tampo (劇団タンポ). He married Kogure Ito (小暮糸), a 37-year-old distant relative, in 1946. Around this time, he helped establish the Kuukiza theater troupe (空気座), which disbanded in 1949, after which he joined Oizumi Film Studio (大泉映画製作所).

In 1970, Bokuzen debuted as a singer with the release of Rojin to Kodomo no Polka (老人と子供のポルカ) under Nippon Gramophone (日本グラモフォン).

His half-sister was author Mikashima Yoshiko (三ヶ島葭子).

Bokuzen passed away on May 26, 1971, at the age of 77 due to complications from old age.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography