was a Japanese comedian and actor. Nicknamed "The Japanese Chaplin", he is best known outside Japan for his appearance as Tako, the promoter of King Kong in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).
Biography Arishima's real name was Tadao Oshima. He was born in Nagoya and both of his parents died when he was a teenager. His love of the theater began in childhood, and he moved to Tokyo in 1936 to pursue that interest. He spent the next decade working with various theatrical troupes until he made his film debut in 1947, with Shochiku Studios. He became a household name in Japan after his move to Toho in 1955. At Toho he was featured in two very popular series, the "Wakadaishō series" ("Young Guy") movies starring Yūzō Kayama, and the "Shacho" ("Company President") movies featuring the Crazy Cats (クレージーキャッツ) comedy team. In addition to Ishirō Honda's King Kong vs. Godzilla, Arishima appeared in two Toho fantasy films directed by Senkichi Taniguchi: The Lost World of Sinbad (Daitozoku) (1963) and The Adventure of Taklamakan (Kiganjō no bōken) (1966). In 1972, he left Toho and a freelance actor.
Arishima's slight physical build contrasted well with the portly comedian Frankie Sakai, leading to their teaming in several comedies. He was also popular on several television shows, one of his last roles being "Kanō Gorōzaemon," the elderly advisor to the shogun in Abarenbō Shōgun.
Filmography Film + Film Year Title Role Notes 1953Ojōsan shachōTetsutaro Kaitani 1954Shichihenge tanuki gotenYamizaemon 1955Midori haruka ni 1958The Badger PalaceTōkyō no kyūjitsuPhotographer 1959The Birth of JapanGods of Yaoyorozu 1961Daigaku no WakadaishōTanuma Hisataro 1962King Kong vs. GodzillaMr. TakoChūshingura: Hana no Maki, Yuki no MakiDenpachirô Okado 1963The Lost World of SinbadSennin 1964You Can Succeed, TooÔmori 1965IronfingerDetective Tezuka 1967Kyu-chan no Dekkai Yume 1970MachibuseTokubei 1979Nihon no FixerHeikichi Shibuya 1987Maison IkkokuOtonashi's Father
Television Taikoki (1965) as Sorori Shinzaemon Daichūshingura (1971) as Yahei Horibe Unmeitōge (1974) as Takuan Sōhō Taiyō ni Hoero! (1974 ep.85) (1977 ep.240) Naruto Hichō (1977–78) Hissatsu Shigotonin V (1985 ep.11)
References
External links
Arishima Ichiro NHK Jimbutsuroku