Biography

He started his career as a singer in a little theatrical company in Asakusa. After years of going from a company to another in the same Asakusa, he slowly changes his performing style until to be better known as a comedy revue actor. Finally he creates his own theatrical company in 1932. He debuted in the film industry with "Foreign Daughter" (1927). After a couple of films more, he signs an important contract with the PCL movie company in 1934, which converted in Toho Company from 1937, and became the company's most famous comedy player. At that time he begins to parody all kind of genres, but specially jidai-geki and chanbara films, playing "Isamu Kondo" and "Ryoma Sakamoto" in 1934, "Sasuke Sarutobi" in 1937, "Tengu Kurama" in 1939, "Mori no Ishimatsu" in 1939, "Kitahachi" (from "Hizakurige") in 1939, "Son Goku" in 1940, "Tasuke Isshin" in 1945, and so on. Some of his films were written by later famous director Akira Kurosawa. In 1947 he quits Toho to work with Shin Toho Company, but finally he will come back to Toho in the 50s. In 1953 he begins to work in TV and in 1955 he returns to Theatre, but he never quits the film industry. From 1950 he suffers gangrene, he must withdraw from performing in 1963 and finally lose his foot. With one artificial leg he came back to show business in 1969 and appears in two films more until his premature death.

- IMDb mini biography by: Caluchanche

Enomoto was born in 1904 in Tokyo. Making a name for himself in Asakusa in light comedy, he led a theater troupe. He became well known at this time under the nickname Enoken, and he gave rise to a new genre in the comedy world by taking the mainstream Kansai-style comedy that focuses on human emotions and incorporating American slapstick. Soon after, he entered the film world, making his debut in Seishin Suikoden, a film by PCL, the forerunner of Toho Films. After this, he approached his peak with films such as Chakkiri Kinta and Enoken no Hokaibo.

In 1945 he appeared in Tora no O o Fumu Otokotachi, directed by Kurosawa Akira. This film was an adaptation of Kenjincho, and it starred Okochi Denjiro, with Enoken playing the part of the mountain guide. However, the film was banned as "The blind allegiance shown to the monarch who transcends justice is contrary to the principles of democracy." The release of the film Chushingura was also prevented under the regulations of the occupation forces for the same reason. Tora no O o Fumu Otokotachi went on general release after Japan regained its independence in 1952.

When in his forties, Enken contracted gangrene, an incurable disease, and his right foot was amputated at the ankle. However, ten years later the disease was to recur, and this time he underwent an operation to have his right leg amputated at the femur. After this he continued to appear actively on stage with an artificial leg. Enomoto Kenichi died in 1970.

- IMDb mini biography by: Masterpieces of Japanese Silent Cinema