Shiro Otsuji - Shiro Otsuji

Comedian. Real name Shiro. Born in Tokyo. He took over his father's business as a stock trader, but in 1916 (Taisho 5) he switched to being a talkie (film narrator) and gained popularity for his quirky lines and strange voice. When films became talkies and he was forced out of his job, he switched to stand-up comedy, and in 1933 (Showa 8) he helped found the "Kingdom of Laughter" and appeared in films as a comedic actor. He died in an airplane accident (Mokusei-go) in 1952 (Showa 27). His second son, Toshio, made his debut as an actor under the stage name Shiro, but committed suicide in 1973.

[Soya Mukai]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

漫談家。本名四郎。東京生まれ。父親の稼業を継ぎ相場師となったが、1916年（大正5）活動の弁士（映画説明者）に転向、珍妙な文句と奇声で人気を得た。映画がトーキーとなって職を追われると漫談に転向、33年（昭和8）「笑(わらい)の王国」の結成に参加、喜劇俳優として映画にも出演した。52年（昭和27）航空事故（もく星号）で死亡。なお、次男の寿雄(としお)は伺郎の芸名で俳優としてデビューしたが1973年に自殺した。

［向井爽也］

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