The star of Daiei Studio, Ichikawa Raizo got his start as a kabuki actor. Born Ota Yoshiya, he was adopted at six months old by kabuki actor, Ichikawa Kudanji. He was then given the name Takeuchi Yoshio. He debuted as a kabuki actor officially at the age of 17 (1948) in the play "Nakayama Shichiri". Three years later, he was adopted by Ichikawa Jukai III. It was soon after that, that he took the name Ichikawa Raizo.

In 1954, he began a film career under contract with Daiei. His film debut was "Hana no Byakkotai" and was followed by several, mostly jidaigeki (period dramas), films. His first modern film was called "Enjo" and was released in 1958. He also filmed several movie series.

By the time of his death in 1969, he had filmed over 150 movies in his fifteen year career. He was highly successful and a well known actor in Japan at the time of his death.


Source: raizofan.net Edit Biography