Shintaro Katsu

Actor. His real name was Okumura Toshio. Born in Tokyo. The second son of Nagauta actor Kineya Katsutouji. He joined Daiei in 1954 (Showa 29) and made his debut in "Hana no Byakkotai". Among his fellow stars was Ichikawa Raizo. In 1960, he played a wicked and ruthless acupuncturist in "Shiranui Kengyo", which brought him instant attention and made him a star. In 1961, he played an old-fashioned boss who lives by the code of honor in "Akumyo", based on a novel by Kon Toko, which was well received and made into a series. In 1962, he played the blind Zatōichi, a master of iaido, which became his hit role. His role as the reckless boss in "Soldier Yakuza" in 1965 became a hit. Both of these works were made into series, but the "Zatoichi" series in particular is considered his signature work, having been made into 26 films and a TV drama. In 1967, he founded Katsu Productions. He also branched out into directing, producing "Kaoyaku" and "Zatoichi." Other notable works include "Meiso Chizu" and "Teito Monogatari." His brother was the late actor Wakayama Tomisaburo, and his wife was the actress Nakamura Tamao. He was affectionately known by the nickname "Katsushin."

[Nagasaki Ichi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

俳優。本名奥村利夫。東京生まれ。長唄の杵屋勝東治(きねやかつとうじ)の次男。1954年（昭和29）大映に入社、『花の白虎(びゃっこ)隊』でデビュー。同期のスターに市川雷蔵がいた。1960年『不知火検校(しらぬいけんぎょう)』で極悪非道のはり師を演じ、一躍注目されて出世作となった。1961年には今東光(こんとうこう)原作の『悪名(あくみょう)』で任侠(にんきょう)道に生きる古風な親分役で好評を得、シリーズ化された。1962年『座頭市(ざとういち)物語』では盲人で居合抜きの達人座頭市が当り役となる。1965年の『兵隊やくざ』の無鉄砲な主人役がヒットとなる。以上の2作もともにシリーズ化されたが、とくに『座頭市』シリーズは映画化26作を数え、テレビでもドラマ化されるなど、彼の代表的作品といわれている。1967年には勝プロを設立。また監督業にも進出、『顔役』『座頭市』などをつくっている。他の著名な出演作は『迷走地図』『帝都物語』など。兄は俳優の故若山富三郎(とみさぶろう)、妻は女優の中村玉緒(たまお)。「カツシン」の愛称で親しまれた。

［長崎　一］

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