ActorJapaneseFilm actorYokohama

Yatarō Kurokawa

Yatarō Kurokawa was a prominent Japanese film and television actor who significantly contributed to the Japanese entertainment industry from the 1930s until his passing in 1984.

1. Overview

Yatarō Kurokawa (黒川 弥太郎Kurokawa YatarōJapanese, born Kiyotaka Kurokawa) was a prominent Japanese film and television actor who significantly contributed to the Japanese entertainment industry from the 1930s until his passing in 1984. Known for his extensive career spanning over five decades, Kurokawa appeared in a remarkable 228 films between 1935 and 1971, establishing himself as a leading figure in period dramas. His work across various major studios, including Nikkatsu, Toho, Shintoho, Daiei, and Toei, cemented his status as a versatile and enduring presence in Japanese cinema. In his later career, he transitioned successfully into television, becoming a familiar face in popular historical dramas. His dedication to his craft and his prolific output left an indelible mark on the landscape of Japanese performing arts.

Yatarō Kurokawa in 1940
Yatarō Kurokawa in 1940

2. Life and Background

Yatarō Kurokawa's life was marked by a long and prolific acting career, beginning in the theater and transitioning through various major film studios before finding a significant presence in television.

2.1. Birth and Family

Yatarō Kurokawa was born Kiyotaka Kurokawa on November 15, 1910, in Nakahara-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He stood at 65 in (164 cm) tall. His former wife was Taneko Kurokawa, a former member of the Takarazuka Revue's 22nd class, also known as Tamamo Kariko.

2.2. Early Career

Kurokawa embarked on his acting journey in 1933, joining the Shinkokugeki theater company, a prominent group known for its new style of historical plays. His stage name, Yatarō, was bestowed upon him by the renowned playwright Shin Hasegawa, inspired by the character Yatarō from Kan Shimozawa's novel Yatarō Gasa. In 1935, his talent was recognized by Suzuki Shikei of Bungeishunjū, who scouted him for Nikkatsu Kyoto Studio. He quickly rose to prominence as a leading star in period dramas. By 1937, he moved to Toho and continued to play leading roles.

2.3. Military Service

During his career, Yatarō Kurokawa was conscripted into military service. He served in the Imperial Japanese Army and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

2.4. Post-War Career

Following World War II, Kurokawa played a pivotal role in the establishment of Shintoho, a new film studio founded in 1947. He continued his work as a leading actor there before transitioning to Daiei in 1952. In 1959, he further moved to Toei, where he remained active in starring and co-starring roles in period dramas. From the mid-1960s onwards, Kurokawa increasingly appeared in television period dramas, adapting his extensive experience to the new medium.

3. Major Works

Yatarō Kurokawa's extensive filmography and television appearances showcase his versatility and enduring presence in Japanese entertainment.

3.1. Film

Yatarō Kurokawa's filmography includes 228 films released between 1935 and 1971. Notable appearances include:

  • Horibe Yasubei (1936, Nikkatsu) - Horibe Yasubei
  • Nangoku Taiheiki (1937, J.O. Studio)
  • Itahachi Shima (1938, Toho) - Itahachi
  • Arashi ni Saku Hana (1940, Toho) - Shijimi Heikuro
  • Awa no Odoriko (1941, Toho)
  • The War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya (1942, Toho) - Major Moribe
  • Kessen no Ozora e (1943, Toho)
  • Kato Hayabusa Sentotai (1944, Toho)
  • Nabeshima Kaibyōden (1949, Shintoho)
  • Wakasama Samurai Torimonochō Nazo no Nomen Yashiki (1950, Shintoho)
  • A Mother's Love (1950)
  • Kurama Tengu Kurama no Himatsuri (1951, Shintoho)
  • Jūrokumon Karasudō Sennin Higan (1951, Shintoho)
  • Shunjū Kyōyama-jō (1952, Daiei)
  • Suttobi Kago (1952, Daiei) - Seizō Moritaya
  • Dekoboko Taikōki (1953, Daiei)
  • Gate of Hell (1953, Daiei)
  • Awa Odori Tanuki Gassen (1954, Daiei)
  • Hana no Byakkotai (1954, Daiei)
  • Akō gishi (1954)
  • The Renyasai Yagyu Hidden Story (1956, Daiei)
  • Zangiku Monogatari (1956, Daiei)
  • Asatarō garasu (1956)
  • Studio wa Tenya Wanya (1957, Daiei) - (Kurokawa performed a song in this short film introducing the Daiei studio and its stars' hidden talents.)
  • Suzunosuke Akado: The One-Legged Demon (1957, Daiei)
  • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Hachinin no Hanayome (1958, Daiei) - Shinzaburō Sasano
  • The Loyal 47 Ronin (忠臣蔵ChūshinguraJapanese) (1958, Daiei) - Tamon Denpachirō
  • Nichiren to Mōko Daishūrai (1958, Daiei)
  • Jirōchō Fuji (1959, Daiei)
  • Kagerō Ezu (1959, Daiei)
  • Chiyari Musō (1959, Toei) - Horibe Yasubei
  • Yukinojō Henge (1959, Toei) - Koken Sensei
  • Hibari Jūhachiban Benten Kozō (1960, Toei)
  • Ninkyō Nakasendō (1960) - Tsumugi no Bunkichi
  • Kujaku Hichō (1960, Toei) - Matsudaira Izunokami
  • Nangoku Taiheiki (1960, Toei) - Kyūnosuke Masumitsu
  • Jirōchō Kesshōki series (Toei) - Shimizu Jirōchō
    • Jirōchō Kesshōki Akiba no Taiketsu (1960)
    • Jirōchō Kesshōki Nagurikomi Dōchū (1960)
    • Jirōchō Kesshōki Fujimi Tōge no Taiketsu (1960)
    • Jirōchō Kesshōki Nagurikomi Kōjinzan (1960)
  • Ninjō Sasashichi Torimonochō series (Toei) - Jingorō Kanzaki
    • Ninjō Sasashichi Torimonochō Hannya no Men (1960)
    • Ninjō Sasashichi Torimonochō Kurayamizaka no Shibijin (1960)
    • Ninjō Sasashichi Torimonochō Chizome no Hadagi (1960)
    • Ninjō Sasashichi Torimonochō Furisode Yashiki (1960)
  • Hibari Jūhachiban Ojō Kichisa (1960, Toei) - Oshō Kichisa
  • Teruhi Kumoruhi (1960, Toei) - Hachirō Kanō
  • Sake to Onna to Yari (1960, Toei) - Toyotomi Hidetsugu
  • Tabi no Nagadosu Hanagasa Tsubaki (1960, Toei) - Sakakibara Awano-kami
  • Hatamoto Taikutsu Otoko Nazo no Ansatsutai (1960, Toei) - Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
  • Sōretsu Shinsengumi Bakumatsu no Dōran (1960, Toei) - Hijikata Toshizō
  • Jirokichi Bayashi Senryō Koban (1960, Toei) - Sakakibara Kazue-no-kami
  • Mito Kōmon (1960, Toei) - Nakayama Bizennokami
  • Kanda Matsuri Kenka Gasa (1960, Toei) - Musō Jūbei
  • Tenryū Haha Koi Gasa (1960, Toei) - Daisaku Kimura
  • Nobi o Kiru Kyōdai (1960, Toei) - Setsugorō
  • Honō no Shiro (1960, Toei) - Shōji Tajimi
  • Saikoro Bugyō (1961, Toei) - Mizuno Echizennokami
  • Miyamoto Musashi: Hannyazaka no Kettō (1962, Toei) - Inshun
  • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō series (Daiei) - Shinzaburō Sasano
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Heiji Happyaku Yachō (1949)
    • Zenigata Heiji (1951)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Koibumi Dōchū (1951)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Jigoku no Mon (1952)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Karakuri Yashiki (1953)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Kin'iro no Ōkami (1953)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Yūrei Daimyō (1954)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Dokuro Kago (1955)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Shibijin Furo (1956)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Hitohada Kumo (1956)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Madara Hebi (1957)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Kitsune Yashiki (1957)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Hachinin no Hanayome (1958)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Onibi Tōrō (1958)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Yukionna no Ashiato (1958)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Bijin Kumo (1960)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Yoru no Enmachō (1961)
    • Zenigata Heiji Torimonochō Bijin Same (1961)
    Kurokawa (right) as Tamon Denpachirō in Chūshingura (1958). On the left is Raizō Ichikawa VIII as Asano Naganori.
    Kurokawa (right) as Tamon Denpachirō in Chūshingura (1958). On the left is Raizō Ichikawa VIII as Asano Naganori.

3.2. Television Dramas

Yatarō Kurokawa made numerous appearances in television dramas, particularly from the mid-1960s onwards. His notable roles include:

  • Akō Rōshi (1964, NHK) - Fuwa Kazuemon
  • Zenigata Heiji (1967-68, 1975-76, Fuji TV) - Shinzaburō Sasano
  • Ninjō Sasashichi Torimonochō Episode 5 "Oreta Sensu" (1971, NET / Toho) - Izunokami Tsutsui
  • Onihei Hankachō (8th Kōshirō Matsumoto version, Second Series) (1971-72, NET) - Chūsuke Sajima
  • Haru no Sakamichi (1971, NHK) - Torii Mototada
  • Ōedo Sōsamō (1974-79, Tokyo 12ch) - Matsudaira Sadanobu
  • Edo no Taka Goyōbeya Hankachō Episode 26 "Tanuma Ichizoku no Inbō" (1978, TV Asahi) - Kurōdo Makino
  • Mito Kōmon Season 9 Episode 10 "Fūun Kubota-jō -Akita-" (1978, TBS) - Satake Yoshizumi
  • Mito Kōmon Season 10 Episode 3 "Kitsune ga Baketa Ohimesama -Odawara-" (1979, TBS) - Ōkubo Kaga-no-kami
  • Mito Kōmon Season 13 Episode 22 "Fukushū! Bake Neko Sōdō -Saga-" (1983, TBS) - Nabeshima Tsunashige
  • Akō Rōshi (1979, ANB) - Shōda Shimōsa-no-kami
  • Shingo Torimonochō Episode 62 "Shi o Yobu Kyōken" (1979, NTV / Union Eiga) - Shōkan Tamiya
  • Yoshimune Hyōbanki: Abarenbō Shōgun Episode 78 "Tenka o Karu Otoko" (1979, TV Asahi) - Hyōbee
  • Akutō Gari Episode 2 "Hatchōbori Mujō" (1980, Tokyo 12ch) - Yasuke
  • Ryōma ga Yuku (1982, TX) - Yamauchi Yōdō
  • Kage no Gundan III Episode 16 "Yōgisha wa Sando Kieru" (1982, KTV)
  • Tōyama no Kin-san Season 1 Episode 34 "Ai ka Urami ka Bojō no Onna!" (1982, ANB / Toei)
  • Jidaigeki Special Murasaki Zukin Ōgon no Nazo (1982, CX)

4. Death

On April 23, 1984, Yatarō Kurokawa collapsed during a rehearsal for the Shinkokugeki play "Gokudai Kunisada Chūji Ippongatana Dohyōiri" at Asakusa Public Hall. He was rushed to Mitsui Memorial Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage and hospitalized. Despite medical efforts, Kurokawa passed away on June 23, 1984, at 8:35 AM, at the age of 73. His death occurred in Kanda Izumicho, Chiyoda, Tokyo.

5. Evaluation and Impact

Yatarō Kurokawa's career, spanning from the early days of Japanese cinema to the rise of television, marks him as a significant figure in the country's entertainment history. As a leading actor in period dramas, he helped define the genre for generations of viewers. His prolific output, with over 200 films and numerous television appearances, demonstrates his dedication and versatility. He was instrumental in the founding of Shintoho, showcasing his commitment to the industry beyond just acting. His transition from stage to film and then to television highlights his adaptability and enduring appeal. Kurokawa's legacy is that of a diligent and consistent performer who contributed immensely to the popularization of historical narratives in Japanese visual media.