Shinobu Araki

Biography

Araki Shinobu was born in 1891 in Niigata. He spent the early part of his life in a small traveling theater company and performing in Asakusa, before joining Nikkatsu Mukojima in 1921, stepping into the world of acting for the first time. He began by appearing in the Shinpa dramas Futari Shizuka (Two Quiet People) and Yabure Shamisen before moving to Kunikatsu where he took supporting roles in Aijo no Kiwami and Wakaki Tsuma no Shi (Death of the Young Wife). Moving to Makino in 1924, Araki starred alongside the likes of Mikasa Mariko and Eshima Chikako in such films as Komyo no Mae ni (Before Glory) and Haru no Uta. He also co-starred with Akashi Ushio in Onai wo Toshite and Takada Minoru in Kamen, as well as earning rave reviews for his wonderful lead role performance as Masakichi the pickpocket in Hono no Naka ni. Returning to Makino, he played the role of Enzo of Nikko in lead star Ichikawa Utaemon's Akagi Yama Arashi, as well as co-starring with Makino Tomoko in Eijigoroshi. Araki next moved to Shinko Cinema in 1931, where he gave a compelling performance as Mori Shizuko's father in Tetsu no Hanawa, as well as taking on the role of Togo Heihachiro in lead star Oki Etsuji's Togo Sakazuki. He also gave an excellent performance as Lord Munakata Omi in Tengoku Kaijo, a film in which he made a guest starring performance for Kan Productions, as well as the evil gang boss Okamuraya Otokichi in Matsugoro Karasu, Kawai Jinzaemon in Katsujinken Araki Matauemon and Lord Yagyu Tajima in Yagyu Nigaigasa. From the Taisho Period (1912-1925) into the postwar period, he performed in a broad range of films, where he was renowned for his roles as old men.