Yoichi Hayashi

2.1. Birth and Family

Yoichi Hayashi was born on February 14, 1942, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. His family boasts a distinguished lineage in the Kabuki theater tradition, particularly from the Kansai region, encompassing Osaka and Kyoto. His father was Toshio Hayashi, a renowned Kabuki actor and film actor known for his roles in jidaigeki films. His mother was Reiko Kitami, a film actress who appeared in numerous films across various genres.

Hayashi is the great-grandson of Nakamura Ganjirō I and the great-great-grandson of Nakamura Kanjaku III, both of whom were among the most important Kabuki actors of the Meiji era. Through these familial ties, he is related to several other significant Kabuki actors of the Showa era and Heisei era, including Nakamura Ganjirō II, Sakata Tōjūrō IV, Nakamura Ganjirō IV, and Nakamura Senjaku III. His grandfather was Hayashi Mataichiro II, also a Kabuki actor, and actress Keiko Hida is his maternal cousin. Additionally, Kazuo Hasegawa, a popular actor known as a "rare handsome actor" before and after World War II, was his uncle by marriage, and Hayashi was briefly apprenticed to him. Hayashi is also the head (soke) of the Hayashi-ryu (林流_Hayashi-ryū^Japanese) school of Japanese dance.

2.2. Childhood and Debut

Hayashi's early exposure to the performing arts began in his childhood, given his family's deep roots in Kabuki. He made his initial debut on the Kabuki stage in 1958 at the Osaka Kabuki-za. In 1964, he joined Toho film studio. His career gained significant momentum with his acclaimed performance as the nihilistic rōnin Hayato Hotta in the NHK Taiga drama Akō Rōshi in 1964, which propelled him to stardom.

3.1. Kabuki Actor

Hayashi began his career as a Kabuki actor, undergoing training within his family's theatrical tradition. His first stage performance was in 1958 at the Osaka Kabuki-za. This early training provided him with a strong foundation in traditional Japanese performing arts, which later influenced his work in other genres.

3.2. Television Dramas

Hayashi has appeared in numerous television dramas, particularly excelling in jidaigeki series, where his captivating sword fighting skills (tate) and striking looks were often utilized. He frequently portrayed characters ranging from protagonists to compelling antagonists who challenged the heroes or toyed with female emotions.

His notable roles in NHK's Taiga drama series include:

• Akō Rōshi (1964) as Hayato Hotta
• Shin Heike Monogatari (1972) as Kiso Yoshinaka
• Tokugawa Ieyasu (1983) as Imagawa Ujizane
• Dokuganryū Masamune (1987) as Asano Nagamasa
• Yae's Sakura (2013) as Shimazu Nariakira

Other significant television drama appearances include:

• Hibari Yoichi no Hana to Ken (1966, CX) as Matsudaira Chōshichirō
• Senba (1967, KTV)
• Dojima (1968, KTV)
• Mukashi Sankuro (1969, NTV) as Mukashi Sankuro
• Onihei Hankachō (Matsumoto Koshiro version) Episode 2, "Yodome no Nyōbō" (1969, NET/Toho) as Inomatsu
• Ningyo Sasashichi Torimonocho (1971, NET) as Sasashichi
• Yajikita Onmitsu Dochu (1972, NTV) as Kobanzame
• Kaidan Episode 5, "Onryō Madaraneko" (1972, MBS) as Seitarō
• Hissatsu Shikakenin (1972-1973, ABC) as Sanai Nishimura, a role in which he co-starred with Ken Ogata.
• Wakasama Samurai Torimonocho (1973, KTV) as Wakasama
• Ooka Echizen (TBS/C.A.L), appearing in multiple seasons and specials:
  • Season 3, Episode 25, "Gizou Kamaitachi" (1972) as Kamaitachi no Shichisaburo
  • Season 6, Episode 5, "Gizoku Narihira Kozo" (1982) as Sakichi
  • Season 14, Episode 6, "Tomo o Sukutta Shukuba no Ketto" (1996) as Koshiba Iemon
  • National Theater 50th Anniversary Special, "Ooka Echizen" (2006) as Noda Yōseki
• Izumo no Okuni (1973, NET)
• Yashu Hankacho (1974, CX/C.A.L) as Asano Shinbei
• Ashita ga Gozaru (1975-1976, TBS) as Kamesan
• Zatoichi Monogatari Episode 21, "Mizuumi ni Saita Koborebana" (1975, CX) as Sentaro
• Onna Ukiyoe Beninosuke Mairu! Episode 26, "Otokochō Onnachō" (1975, NTV)
• Zenigata Heiji (CX), appearing in:
  • Episode 469, "Nazo no Kyohakujo" (1975) as Oyama Gaiki
  • Episode 764, "Kono Ai ni Ikiru" (1981) as Matsuoka Hanbei
• Tsukai! Kawachiyama Soshun Episode 14, "Tekkahada Ichiban Matoi" (1976, CX) as Ginji
• Shin Zatoichi Episode 14, "Yuki no Wakaremichi" (1977, CX) as Uno
• Momotaro Samurai Episode 41, "Ikari no Yaiba o Furiagero" (1977, NTV) as Terauchi Hyōma
• Daruma Daisuke Jikencho Episode 3, "Oyako Daruma" (1977, ANB/Zenshinza/Kokusai Hōei) as Toyojiro
• Shinsengumi Shimatsuki (1977, TBS) as Yamazaki Susumu
• Onna to Misoshiru Part 35 (1977, TBS) as Ishida Shinnosuke
• Mito Komon (TBS/C.A.L), with numerous appearances:
  • Season 6, Episode 19, "Adauchi! Awa Odori - Tokushima -" (1975) as Hachirota
  • Season 8, Episode 14, "Hiryu no Himatsuri - Shingu -" (1977) as Kannō Jurota
  • Season 32, Episode 7, "Okubyōkaze o Futtobase! - Takaoka -" (2003) as Sakai Shuzen
  • 1000th Episode Anniversary Special (2003) as Tsuda Sohachi
  • Season 33, Episode 2, "Kashikin Nakaseta Komon-sama - Goyu -" (2004) as Kingoro
  • Season 34, Episodes 1 and 4 (2005) as Onuma Gunta
  • Season 37, Episode 5, "Inbō Kudaita Bijin Hime - Echigo Takada -" (2007) as Hagiyama Iki
  • Final Episode Special (2011) as Onukiya Ginbei
• Shin Kogarashi Monjiro Episode 14, "Shiraha o Shibaru Itsuka no Okite" (1978, 12ch) as Kichigoro
• Nihon Gankutsuo (1979, NHK) as Mizuno Jurozaemon
• Nihon Meisaku Kaidan Gekijo Episode 1, "Kaidan Kasane ga Fuchi" (1979, 12ch) as Fukami Shingoro
• Doyo Wide Gekijo (ANB), including:
  • Meitantei Garaku Sando Tojo! Yurei Gekijo Satsujin Jiken (1980)
  • Shitai no Yubi ni Daiya Yokushitsu no Genso (1981)
  • Onsen (Hi) Daisakusen 16: Kagoshima-ken Ibusuki no Tennen Sunamushi Onsen! (2015, ABC) as Izumi Kotaro
• Jidaigeki Special (CX), including:
  • Kutsukake Tokijiro (1981) as Mutsuda no Sanzo
  • Okanezo Yaburi Ieyasu no Kubi (1983) as Kotaro
  • Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi Hissatsu no Shiraha (1983) as Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi
• Shinju Yoigoshin (1984, NHK) as Konosuke
• Nijutte Monogatari Episode 12, "Yoshiwara Koi Shinju" (1984, CX)
• Gendai Kyofu Suspense: Neko to Onaji Iro no Yami (1987, KTV) as Egi
• Chushingura Onnatachi Ai (1987, TBS) as Inaba Masamichi
• Kekkon Suru Tetsuzuki (1988, NHK)
• Sayonara Ri Kōran (1988, CX) as Kazuo Hasegawa
• Araki Mataemon Kessen Kagiya no Tsuji (1990, NHK) as Matsudaira Izunokami
• Kayo Suspense Gekijo / Kao Kiri (1990, NTV) as Hayashi Chojiro
• Ningyo Sasashichi Torimonocho Sasashichi Ichibante (1990, Union Eiga/TV Tokyo) as Kanzaki Jingoro
• Oishi Kuranosuke Fuyu no Kessen (1991, NHK) as Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu
• Unmeitōge (1993, Fuji TV) as Hattori Hanzo
• NHK Renzoku Terebi Shōsetsu:
  • Eenyobo (1993)
  • Audrey (2000-2001) as Kennosuke Momoyama
  • Asa ga Kita (2015-2016) as Imai Tadamasa
• Shimizu Jirocho Monogatari (1995, CX) as Omasa
• Gokenin Zankuro Season 5, Episode 8, "Ranchō Masame" (2002, CX/Eizo Kyoto) as Shozaburo
• Yozakura Osen Episode 9, "Oya no Ada" (2004, CX) as Matsudaira Yasunori
• Kenkaku Shobai Season 5, Episode 7, "Niizuma" (2004, CX/Shochiku) as Nagase Sasasuke
• Otomo Sorin ~ Kokoro no Oukoku o Motomete (2004, NHK) as Sen no Rikyu
• Getsuyo Golden (TBS), including:
  • Kariya Keibu Series 11 (2012) as Sakuragi Reiho
  • Seifuku Sosa 2 (2016) as Yoneyama Iwao
• Kin'yo Prestige / Asami Mitsuhiko Series 44: Sunameikyu (2012, CX) as Ogonoi Tatsuo
• Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9 Gakari Season 7 Final Episode (2012, EX) as Omachi Hirotada
• Akahige (2017) as Iseya
• Getsuyo Premier 8 (TV Tokyo), including:
  • Shin Shinano no Columbo: Oiwake Satsujin Jiken (2020) as Nagai Mitsuyoshi
• Okashina Keiji 26: Toshiwasure!! Daikansha Special (2022, TV Asahi) as Takayanagi Shusaku

3.3. Film

Yoichi Hayashi has appeared in numerous films throughout his career, showcasing his talent on the big screen. His filmography includes:

• Shichinin Wakashu Tanjo (1958, Shochiku) as Nobumitsu
• Rakka Kenkōroku (1958, Shochiku) as Hachiya
• Asayake Gumo no Ketto (1959, Shochiku) as Koshō
• Aobajō no Oni (1962, Daiei) as Date Tsunamune
• Kwaidan (1965, Toho) as Minamoto no Yoshitsune
• Nezumi Kozo Jirokichi (1965, Daiei) as Nezumi Kozo

• Shin Hebihime-sama Oshima Sentaro (1965, Toei) as Sentaro
• Kobanzame Oyakusha Jingi (1966, Toei) as Yami Taro
• Noren Ichidai Jokyo (1966, Toei) as Shinji Horie
• Hibari Misora Shinichi Mori no Hana to Namida to Honoo (1970, Shochiku) as Hiroshi Takayama
• Oiroke Comic Fushigi na Nakama (1970, Toho) as Seisuke Wada
• Kimyo na Nakama Oiroke Dochu (1970, Toho) as Yuichi Kaga
• Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril (1972, Toho) as Yagyū Gunbei
• Hissatsu Shikakenin Baian Arijigoku (1973, Shochiku) as Kosugi Jujiro
• Hissatsu Shikakenin Shunsetsu Shikakebari (1974, Shochiku) as Kosugi Jujiro
• Kyoto, Natsu (2013, SKELETON FILMS) as Shuzo Nakamura
• Kyoto, Soshun (2014, SKELETON FILMS) as Kenichi Kusuda
• Sakurajima Soshun (2015, SKELETON FILMS) as Takashi Arimura
• Mori no Irubasho (2018, Nikkatsu) as Emperor Showa
• Zansho no Kanata ni (2022) as an old writer
• Mujina Pass (2024, MF Pictures) as Enshin (lead role)
• Shinpei (2025, Cinemedia) as the head of the Yamada family

3.4. Stage Performances

Hayashi has an extensive career in theatrical productions, performing in various plays and musicals. He notably performed as a co-star in over 10 productions alongside the legendary singer and actress Hibari Misora. His stage work includes:

• Ogin-sama (May 1957, Sennichimae Kabuki-za) as an actor playing the elder's daughter
• Hourouki (Wandering Chronicle) as Kyosuke Katori, with multiple runs:
  • October 20 - December 8, 1961, Geijutsu-za
  • January 2 - 15, 1962, Meitetsu Hall
  • February 2 - 25, 1962, Umeda Koma Theater
  • March 1 - May 27, 1962, Geijutsu-za
  • September 1 - December 27, 1990, Geijutsu-za
• Shinsei Shochiku Shinkigeki Kinshu Koen (November 3 - 26, 1995, Chūza) as Kameyama Waka-danna Inosuke
• Enkai Dorobo ~ Nokori no Jinsei mo Anata to (Party Thief ~ The Rest of My Life With You) as Leonida Papagatto, performed at:
  • October 29 - November 7, 2004, Hakuhinkan Theater
  • October 31 - November 2, 2012, Kameido Camellia Hall
• Hana no Genroku Atoshimatsu - Ki no Kuniya Bunzaemon no Tsuma (August 14 - 30, 2009, Mitsukoshi Theater) as Kinokuniya Bunzaemon
• Warau Kado ni wa Fuku Kitaru ~ Onna Kogyoshi Yoshimoto Sei (Laughter Brings Fortune ~ Seiji Yoshimoto, the Female Impresario) as Katsura Harudanji I, performed at:
  • November 6 - 28, 2014, Hakataza
  • December 3 - 25, 2014, Shinbashi Enbujo
  • November 4 - 25, 2016, Osaka Shochiku-za
  • May 3 - 26, 2019, Osaka Shochiku-za
  • July 3 - 27, 2019, Shinbashi Enbujo
• Otafuku Monogatari (September 1 - 25, 2016, Meijiza; October 5 - 27, 2016, Hakataza) as Shimazaki Raisuke
• Onikichi Kenkajo (May 3 - 22, 2017, Osaka Shin Kabuki-za) as Shimizu Jirocho
• Geino Seikatsu 55 Shunen Kinen Funaki Kazuo Tokubetsu Koen (December 2 - 24, 2017, Shinbashi Enbujo) as Kira Yoshinaka
• Misono-za Shin Gekijo Kaijo Kinen Funaki Kazuo Tokubetsu Koen ~ Shimizu Jirocho Gaiden Onikichi Kenkajo ~ (July 5 - 24, 2018, Misono-za) as Shimizu Jirocho
• Misono-za Shin Gekijo Kaijo Kinen Korokke Tokubetsu Koen ~ Nihon Ichi! Owari no Nigiwai Donosama ~ (November 2 - 24, 2018, Misono-za) as Tokugawa Yoshimune
• Kigeki Dotonbori Monogatari (October 12 - November 5, 2019, Minamiza) as Onogawa Enjuro
• Osaka Girai Monogatari (March 3 - 21, 2021, Hakataza) as Uncle Chuhei
• Yukima Gusa - Rikyu no Musume Ogin (November 8, 2024 - January 12, 2025, Mitsukoshi Theater and other venues) as Sen no Rikyu

3.5. Other Activities

Beyond his extensive acting career, Yoichi Hayashi has explored various other professional avenues. He has lent his voice to dubbing, including the role of Dr. Donald Harlan (played by Garry Marshall) in the film Witch Mountain. In the music industry, he recorded "Oshima Sentaro" in 1965, which featured dialogue by Hayashi and vocals by Hibari Misora. In 1985, he released "Asobi o Sen to ya Umarekem" as a duet with Ritsuko Abe. He has also appeared in commercial endorsements, such as for House Foods' Joliere, alongside his then-wife Tomoko Ogawa, and for Torigin Honten, a Nagoya-based restaurant specializing in Nagoya Cochin chicken. Hayashi has also made appearances on variety shows, including Gogo wa Marumaru Omoikkiri Terebi and Discover! 99. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube, where he interacts with fans.

5.1. Marriage and Family

Yoichi Hayashi has been married twice. In 1977, he married actress and singer Tomoko Ogawa. Their marriage concluded in divorce in 1983. He later remarried in 1988 to a woman not involved in the entertainment industry, and they have four children.

5.2. Personal Tendencies and Hobbies

Hayashi is known for his fastidiousness, a trait that has occasionally been a topic of lighthearted discussion in media, particularly on radio programs. He has expressed a desire to be reborn as a woman, indicating a unique perspective on life. In his personal life, he actively engages in household chores, including laundry and ironing. He also enjoys watching TV fortune-telling programs, even if they air in the early morning or late at night. His personal interests extend to solitary excursions, such as visiting Tokyo Disneyland alone or traveling by train for 20 minutes just to enjoy a piece of cake, which he himself describes as having an "girlish" sensibility. He is also active on Twitter, where he interacts with fans and occasionally shares glimpses of his everyday life, including enjoying common meals like gyudon and instant noodles.