Kawazu Seizaburo, born Nakajima Seiichi (中島誠一) in Kakigara, Nihonbashim Tokyo, Japan, was a Japanese actor. He was adopted by Kawazu Kaichi (河津嘉一), who operated a machiai, a tea house, in Hamacho.

After graduating from Toka Elementary School (東華小学校), he attended Seisoku English School (正則英語学校). Despite opposition from his adoptive parents, he pursued acting by joining a traveling theatre troupe.

He later performed in rensageki, a linked drama combining stage acting and film, with Yoshino Jiro (吉野二郎), and became a disciple of Shinpa actor Murata Masao (村田正雄). Following Murata’s death in 1925, he joined the Akashi Ushio Troupe (明石潮一座), known for kengeki, swordplay theatre.

In 1926, he joined the Bando Tsumasaburo Production (阪東妻三郎プロダクション), which was soon reorganized as the Bando-Tachibana-Universal Film Alliance (阪妻・立花・ユニヴァーサル連合映画). Under the stage name Kawazu Seiichi (河津精一), he made his film debut in Seiga (青蛾) in 1927. After the modern drama division was dissolved that year, he joined the newly established Kawai Film Production Company (河合映画製作社), changing his stage name to Kawazu Shiro (河津史郎).

Later in 1928, he moved to Makino Production (マキノ・プロダクション) through Kawanami Ryota (川浪良太), adopting his final stage name Kawazu Seizaburo (河津清三郎).

In 1930, he transferred to the Teikoku Kinema Jidaigeki Division (帝国キネマ時代劇部), which was later reorganized into Shinko Kinema (新興キネマ) in 1931.

In 1940, seeking to innovate modern drama, he co-founded the Daiichi Kyodan (第一協団) with Sugai Ichiro (菅井一郎), Shimizu Masao (清水将夫), and Tanaka Haruo (田中春男). In 1942, the group signed a contract with Toho Eiga (東宝映画). He also served in the military for four months during this period.

After World War II, he re-established Daiichi Kyodan in 1948 with Sugai and Fujihara Kamaatsu (藤原釜足), continuing his film career as a freelancer.

In 1954, he became the leading male actor at Nikkatsu (日活) following its production restart.

He died of throat cancer on February 20, 1983, at Tokyo Medical University Hospital (東京医科大学病院), aged 74.

He was formerly married to actress Takatsu Keiko (高津慶子), and their son is Nakajima Kimio (中島公男).

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography