Kenichi Enomoto
Biography
Kenichi Enomoto, also known by his stage name Enoken and as Ken', was a popular Japanese singing comedian. Born in Aoyama, Tokyo on October 11, 1904, he was the son of rice cracker shop owners. He made his stage debut in 1922 at the age of eighteen as a chorus member of the Asakusa Kinryukan Theatre after being influenced by stars of the Asakusa Opera such as Taya Rikizo and Fujiwara Yoshie. Enomoto was a major innovator whose stage shows, radio appearances, and film roles heavily influenced Tokyo theatre prior to World War II and acted as a catalyst for the revival of comedy in the postwar period. He had 89 known credits in acting. He passed away on January 7, 1970 at the age of 65.
Career overview
Kenichi Enomoto was a popular Japanese singing comedian who was mostly known by his stage name Enoken. Born in Aoyama, Tokyo, on October 11, 1904, to rice cracker shop owners, he was inspired by stars of the Asakusa Opera such as Taya Rikizo and Fujiwara Yoshie. At the age of 18 in 1922, he made his stage debut as a chorus member of the Asakusa Kinryukan Theatre.
During his heyday, Enoken was a major innovator whose stage shows, radio appearances, and film roles heavily influenced Tokyo theatre before World War II. He also served as a catalyst for the revival of comedy in the postwar period. His career in acting spanned 89 known credits on film and television platforms.
Kenichi Enomoto passed away on January 7, 1970, at the age of 65. Throughout his life and career, he remained a prominent figure in Japanese entertainment history, celebrated for his comedic performances across multiple mediums.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
76 titles- Pleasant Company (1962)
- A Country Boss (1962) as Ryunosuke Edohara
- 次郎長社長と石松社員 威風堂々 (1962)
- The Dangoro Party in the Sky (1962)
- The Happy-Go-Lucky Guy (1961)
- 誰よりも金を愛す (1961)
- Zoku bantōhan to detchidon (1960)
- The Three Treasures (1959) as God of Yaoyorozu
- Dai Abare Tokaido (1958)
- Nitōhei monogatari: Aa senyū no maki (1958)
- The Beloved Imposters (1958)
- The Paradise Island Story (1957)
- Elephant from "Zoo Story" (1957) as Zen-san (Elephant Officer)
- とんちんかん八百八町 (1957)
- らくだの馬さん (1957)
- Excursion to Treasure Isle (1956) as Sarukichi
- Masura o hashutsu fukai (1956)
- Fighting Cha Cha Girl (1956) as Iwasuke Egawa
- Nonki saiban (1955)
- Tomboy Daughter Diary (1955) as Ken'ichi Enomoto
- Bridal Candidates (1955) as Yoshiro Ishibashi
- A Doting Parent’s Lullaby (1955)
- Muttsuri Umon's Detective Stories: The Demon Mask Mansion (1955)
- Diary of the First Incredible Laughing Trip (1955) as Furaibo Kinta
- A Long Comic Story-Houses' Ghost Affairs (1954)
- Love Express (1954)
- Enomoto's Heaven and Hell (1954)
- The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) as Porter
- Nonsense Detective Story: The Phantom Woman (1952)
- Grease Paint Serenade (1952) as Kenichi Hanemoto
- Kin no tamago: Golden Girl (1952)
- Fighting Yasubei (1952) as Ginji Tateya
- Umon's Detective Stories: The One-Eyed Wolf (1951)
- The Well-known Magistrate (1951)
- The Tokyo Kid (1950)
- Enoken the Hero (1950) as Onihime Yakurota
- Enoken ohako rakuda no Ma-san (1950)
- Enoken roppa no yajikita bugiugi dōchū (1950)
- Enoken’s Boxing Generation (1949)
- The Adventures of Tobisuke (1949) as Tobisuke
- Enoken no bikkuri shakkuri jidai (1948)
- Enoken's Home Run King (1948)
- Enoken's Singing Detective Story (1948)
- The 99th Bride (1947)
- Four Love Stories (1947)
- These Foolish Times (1947)
- A Luxurious Ship for the Bridegroom (1947)
- Life Is like a Somersault (1946)
- The Admirable Isshin Tasuke! (1945)
- Uta e! Taiyō (1945)
- Until Victory Day (1945)
- Sagohei the Three-footer (1944) as 'Three-Footer' Sagohei
- Idaten Kaido (1944)
- Hyoroku's Dream Tale (1943) as Hyoroku Oishi
- The Man Who Waited (1942)
- Exploits of Heisuke Isokawa (1942)
- Enoken's Bow-Wow General (1940) as Santa
- The Monkey King (1940) as Son Goku
- Enoken's Cropped Hair (1940)
- Enoken Enters the Ring (1940)
- Enoken's Yaji and Kita (1939)
- Enoken's Mori no Ishimatsu (1939)
- Enoken’s Shrewd Period (1939) as Enoken
- Enoken's Kurama Tengu (1939)
- Rivals (1939)
- Enoken's Hokaibo (1938)
- Enoken's Surprising Life (1938) as Enoken
- Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 1 – Momma, the Hat: The Nice Way (1937)
- Enoken's Sarutobi Sasuke (1937)
- Enoken's Chikiri Kinta Part 2 – Returning Is Scary, but the Weather Will Clear If You Wait (1937)
- Enoken’s Ten Millions Sequel (1936) as Enoken
- Enoken's Donguri Tonbei (1936)
- Enoken’s Ten Millions (1936)
- Enoken's Kondo Isami (1935) as Kondo Isami / Sakamoto Ryoma
- Enoken's The Magician (1934)
- Romantic and Crazy (1934) as Enoken
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kenichi Enomoto best known for?
Kenichi Enomoto is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Three Treasures (1959), The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952).
When and where was Kenichi Enomoto born?
Kenichi Enomoto was born on October 11, 1904 in Aoyama, Tokyo. They passed away on January 7, 1970.
How many credits does Kenichi Enomoto have?
Kenichi Enomoto has accumulated over 76 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1934 to 1962.
What is Kenichi Enomoto's background in cinema and television?
Kenichi Enomoto, also known by his stage name Enoken and as Ken', was a popular Japanese singing comedian. Born in Aoyama, Tokyo on October 11, 1904, he was the son of rice cracker shop owners. He made his stage debut in 1922 at the age of eighteen as a chorus member of the Asakusa Kinryukan Theatre after being influen...
Kenichi Enomoto by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail (1952) as Porter — aged about 47
- The Three Treasures (1959) as God of Yaoyorozu — aged about 54
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