Ozawa Shoichi, born in Tokyo, was a Japanese actor, radio host, haiku poet, singer and prominent researcher and expert on Japanese folk art. He also founded the Shabondama-za theater company.
Ozawa, who graduated from Waseda University, began acting after college, beginning with his debut stage role in 1951. He also appeared in television and film roles, acting quite frequently in films directed by Imamura Shohei and Kawashima Yuzo. In 1971, Ozawa launched his long running radio show.
A respected folk art expert, Ozawa also researched traditional Japanese performing arts. He recorded and released "Nihon no Horo Gei" ("Japan's Itinerant Arts") based on his research.
In 2004, Ozawa became the "mayor" of Meiji Mura, an open-air museum in Aichi Prefecture which showcases Meiji Era architecture. The Japanese government awarded Ozawa the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2001 and the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1994 for his body of work.
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