
Kenichi Enomoto
Known for Acting · 75 credits
- Born
- 1904-10-11
- Died
- 1970-01-07
- Place of birth
- Aoyama, Tokyo
- Also known as
- Ken'ichi Enomoto · エノケン · Enoken
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Kenichi Enomoto (October 11, 1904 – January 7, 1970) was a popular Japanese singing comedian, mostly known by his stage name Enoken.
A major innovator during his heyday, Enoken's stage shows, radio appearances, and film roles were a major influence within Tokyo theatre before World War II, and was a catalyst for the revival of comedy in the postwar period.
Born in Aoyama, Tokyo, the son of rice cracker shop owners, Enomoto fell under the spell of such stars of the Asakusa Opera as Taya Rikizo and Fujiwara Yoshie, and in 1922 he made his stage debut at age 18 as a chorus member of the Asakusa Kinryukan Theatre. The Great Kanto Earthquake of the following year dealt a great blow to the opera world in Tokyo, at which time Enomoto shifted to comic theatre. Playing small roles in various comedy productions, he returned to the Asakusa stage in 1929 as part of the troupe Casino Folly. The following year saw him launch his own troupe, Enoken Gekidan, which would firmly establish him as a leading figure in Tokyo theatrical circles. In 1934, he starred in the movie Enoken no Seishun Suikoden (Enoken’s Tale of Youth’s Folly), and gained national popularity. His subsequent film career saw him parody a whole parade of Japanese historical personages, including Kondo Isami and Sakamoto Ryoma, in a series of "jidai-geki" (historical dramas) and "chanbara" (samurai drama) films, including some directed by Kajirō Yamamoto, Nobuo Nakagawa and Akira Kurosawa.
Enomoto became afflicted with necrosis of the right leg in the 1950s, which required amputation, curtailing his film and stage career. He did, however, make a legendary comeback at the Shinjuku Koma Theatre 1963 wearing a prosthetic leg. He died in 1970, and is entombed in Hase Temple in Nishi-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo, on whose tombstone is inscribed "The King of Comedy".
Known For
Movies (75)

The Three Treasures
1959
as God of Yaoyorozu

The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
1952
as Porter

Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 1 – Momma, the Hat: The Nice Way
1937

Four Love Stories
1947
The Happy-Go-Lucky Guy
1961

The Adventures of Tobisuke
1949
as Tobisuke

The Monkey King
1940
as Son Goku

The Paradise Island Story
1957

Pleasant Company
1962

Nonki saiban
1955
Enoken's Kondo Isami
1935
as Kondo Isami / Sakamoto Ryoma

Enoken's Home Run King
1948

Sagohei the Three-footer
1944
as 'Three-Footer' Sagohei

A Doting Parent’s Lullaby
1955

Umon's Detective Stories: The One-Eyed Wolf
1951

Enomoto's Heaven and Hell
1954

Dai Abare Tokaido
1958

Enoken’s Boxing Generation
1949

These Foolish Times
1947

The Man Who Waited
1942

Hyoroku's Dream Tale
1943
as Hyoroku Oishi

Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 2 – Returning Is Scary, but the Weather Will Clear If You Wait
1937

The Beloved Imposters
1958

Elephant from "Zoo Story"
1957
as Zen-san (Elephant Officer)

Enoken’s Ten Millions
1936

Fighting Yasubei
1952
as Ginji Tateya

Nitōhei monogatari: Aa senyū no maki
1958
誰よりも金を愛す
1961
Enoken's Singing Detective Story
1948

Excursion to Treasure Isle
1956
as Sarukichi

Kin no tamago: Golden Girl
1952

The Admirable Isshin Tasuke!
1945

Idaten Kaido
1944

The Dangoro Party in the Sky
1962
Until Victory Day
1945

Romantic and Crazy
1934
as Enoken

Life Is like a Somersault
1946

むっつり右門捕物帖 鬼面屋敷
1955

Bridal Candidates
1955
as Yoshiro Ishibashi

Exploits of Heisuke Isokawa
1942

Enoken’s Ten Millions Sequel
1936
as Enoken

A Country Boss
1962
as Ryunosuke Edohara
Enoken's The Magician
1934
Enoken's Mori no Ishimatsu
1939

A Luxurious Ship for the Bridegroom
1947

Enoken ohako rakuda no Ma-san
1950

Zoku bantōhan to detchidon
1960
Enoken's Donguri Tonbei
1936

Enoken's Bow-Wow General
1940
as Santa

Enoken’s Shrewd Period
1939
as Enoken

Grease Paint Serenade
1952
as Kenichi Hanemoto
Enoken's Yaji and Kita
1939

Masura o hashutsu fukai
1956
Enoken's Cropped Hair
1940

Uta e! Taiyō
1945
The Well-known Magistrate
1951

Enoken's Surprising Life
1938
as Enoken

Enoken the Hero
1950
as Onihime Yakurota

The Tokyo Kid
1950

Tomboy Daughter Diary
1955
as Ken'ichi Enomoto

Rivals
1939
Enoken's Hokaibo
1938

Diary of the First Incredible Laughing Trip
1955
as Furaibo Kinta

Enoken roppa no yajikita bugiugi dōchū
1950
Enoken's Kurama Tengu
1939
Love Express
1954

Fighting Cha Cha Girl
1956
as Iwasuke Egawa
Nonsense Detective Story: The Phantom Woman
1952
Enoken's Sarutobi Sasuke
1937

とんちんかん八百八町
1957

次郎長社長と石松社員 威風堂々
1962
Enoken Enters the Ring
1940

A Long Comic Story-Houses' Ghost Affairs
1954

らくだの馬さん
1957

The 99th Bride
1947
About Kenichi Enomoto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Kenichi Enomoto (October 11, 1904 – January 7, 1970) was a popular Japanese singing comedian, mostly known by his stage name Enoken. A major innovator during his heyday, Enoken's stage shows, radio appearances, and film roles were a major influence within Tokyo theatre before World War II, and was a catalyst for the revival of comedy in the postwar period. Born in Aoyama, Tokyo, the son of rice cracker shop owners, Enomoto fell under the spell of such stars of the Asakusa Opera as Taya Rikizo and Fujiwara… With 75 credits spanning from 1934 to 1962, Kenichi Enomoto has appeared in 75 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Kenichi Enomoto movies, Kenichi Enomoto filmography, or the latest projects starring Kenichi Enomoto can stream many of these titles on CineFlixo, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Kenichi Enomoto Movies
- The Three Treasures (1959) — as God of Yaoyorozu
- The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) — as Porter
- Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 1 – Momma, the Hat: The Nice Way (1937)
- Four Love Stories (1947)
- The Happy-Go-Lucky Guy (1961)
Where to Watch Kenichi Enomoto Films
Most Kenichi Enomoto movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Kenichi Enomoto, check our movies catalogue and browse page.