Kazuo Hasegawa

Biography

Born in Kyoto in 1908. His birthplace was a sake brewery in Fushimi called Nagoya. In 1913, at the age of five, he was pushed into playing the role of Kan Shusai in the play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami. This set him on the path to becoming a kabuki actor. Although he worked assiduously on his kabuki acting, this was a time of transition to the age of film, and he was invited to join Shochiku. The film Chigo no Kenpo was distinctive in that it was Inutsuka Minoru's directorial debut and Tusburaya Eiichi's debut as cinematographer as well as Hayashi Chojiro's debut on-screen appearance, and the staff's combination of youthful exuberance shone through. Add to this the large promotional campaign conducted for the film, which was unusual at the time, and it is easy to see that this new young star's arrival was awaited with great anticipation. Hayashi's popularity was cemented when three more films (Ojo Sankichi, Rangun and Oni Azami) opened in quick succession-a total of four films released in a mere 40-day span. As a huge marquee name, he went on to work a grueling schedule, appearing in about 120 films during his 11-year tenure at Shimogamo. With Yukinojo Henge, Hayashi helped Shochiku attain its highest ever box office revenue up to that time. After leaving Shochiku for Toho, he was suddenly attacked by hoodlums. After this incident, he gave the name Hayashi Chojiro back to Shochiku and assumed the new stage name of Hasegawa Kazuo. Hayashi was not only a great thespian who excelled on screen and stage alike, but he also proved himself as a superior planner. In 1974, he backed the production of the dramatic animated film, Berusaiyu no Bara, making it into a much-talked about hit.