Michisaburō Segawa

Biography

Segawa Michisaburo was born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1894. His real name was Okada Shigeo. He studied under Segawa Karaku and got promoted at the Miyatoza Theatre, he took the name Segawa Michio, but in 1924 he joined Makino. His first film appearance was in Ichikawa Hanya's Jonetsu no hi. In Utaruru Mono (Vengeance and Sorrow), he played the role of the brother to Kadota Tokizo (later Tsukigata Ryunosuke), the samurai who is doubted and killed by Bando Tsumasaburo. In 1925, transferring to Teikoku Cinema he played supporting roles to Onoe Monjuro, in such films as Kanto Kyokyakuden, and Sozenji Baba (Sozenji Baba), and in the same year moved to Toa Cinema. While there he co-starred with Ichikawa Kobunji in Ikakematsu Hobaku, and Senma Kesazukin. When Kumoi Ryunosuke became more famous, the two co-starred together in, among others, Hiren Shijugaoka, Adauchi Jidai and Gonpachi Irozange. At this point in his career Segawa, playing the likes of Shimizu Jirocho in Mitsuoka Ryusaburo's Mori no Ishimatsu, was a major supporting actor. In 1928, he participated in the creation of Chie Productions. He was the longest serving member there, but there were no villain or comedic roles for him at Chiezo Pictures. Under the direction of people such as Inagaki Hiroshi, Itami Mansaku and Furitsu Rankyo (Soga Masashi) he wrought individualistic characters and matured into a prominent supporting actor in the period drama genre. Segawa also portrayed many villainous roles, and is known for the following: Sanbin Shishiroku in Goronbo Jidai (The Goronbo's Story), Kantaro of Isobe in Yataro Gasa, Kagaya Shichibe in Furyu Katsujinken, and the villain in Arashi Kanjuro's satire, Adauchi Kokyogaku.