Onoe Taganojo III was a Kabuki actor who was popular around the World War II. His real name was Higuchi Kisaburo. His Haimyo (kabuki actor's offstage name) was Baika. His trade name was Otowaya.

His uncle was the kabuki actor Asao Kuzaemon. He made a debut in "Suzuki Mondo Uwasa Sinjuku" (Suzuki Mondo) under the stage name, Ichikawa Kisaburo at Tokyo Yotsuya Edo Sanza in 1891. In September 1911, he was bestowed the stage name Ichikawa Kigan V and became a chief actor.

He had been a top-billed actor in Koshibai until Onoe Kikugoro VI spotted his talent. Then he joined Kikugoro's troupe as a guest and played the role of Takigawa in "Amimoyo Toronokikukiri" (Kozaru Shichinosuke) at the Ichimura-za theater in 1921. He succeeded to the name Onoe Taganojo III when playing the role of Iroha Chaya Oroku in "Yakudoshi" at the Shinbashi Enbujo theater in 1927. In February 1978, he passed away after dancing "Kappore" in his 90th year.

He was notable as oyama (actor of female roles) of supporting roles. He played the roles of aikata (key supporting role) for three generations of Otowaya's star actors: Onoe Shoroku II, Onoe Baiko VII, and Onoe Kikugoro VII. He alsocoached younger actors in his later years.

He made excellent performances in new works, Jidaimono (historical drama), and Sewamono (play dealing with the lives of ordinary people), by playing the roles of Oima in "Kurayamino Ushimatsu", Enju in "Hirakana Seisuiki Genta Kando," and widow Otsune in "Tsuyukosode Mukashi Hachijo" (Kamiyui Shinza.)
Above all, Osasuri Okane in "Mekuranagaya Umegakagatobi" (Kagatobi) was his most successful role. He added flair to the stage with his Edomae (Tokyo style) boldness and sex appeal even past his 80s.

In 1968, he was accredited as the holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).

(Source: japanese-wiki-corpus.org) Edit Biography