About

Known credits:
150
Birthday:
1943-02-23
Place of birth:
Kyōto, Kyōto Prefecture, Japan
Website:
Click here

Kinya Kitaoji

Overview

Early life:

He was born in Kyoto, son of jidaigeki film star Ichikawa Utaemon, and graduated from Waseda University School of Letters, Arts and Sciences Ⅱ in Tokyo.

Acting career:

Kin'ya made his debut with his father in the 1956 Toei film Oyakodaka in the role of Katsu Kaishū. He is a contemporary of, and was taken to be a rival of, Hiroki Matsukata, who was also the son of a famous actor (Jūshirō Konoe). In 1964, Kin'ya made his first appearance on stage in Cyrano de Bergerac.

The 1960s and 1970s saw him in many contemporary roles. He appeared in Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima and Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode as well as Karei naru Ichizoku. The title role in the 1975 film Takehisa Yumeji was his.

On television, Kitaōji portrayed Miyamoto Musashi in the Nippon Television show of the same name. A major historical role was Sakamoto Ryōma in the year-long prime-time NHK Taiga drama Ryōma ga Yuku (1968). He landed the title role in the long-running cop show Zenigata Heiji, set in the Edo period. In the 1985 twelve-hour New Year special Fūun Yagyū Bugeichō, he played Yagyū Jūbei, and in the following year's special, he portrayed both Tokugawa Yoshimune and Yagyū Shinrokurō. The role of another shogun fell to him in the following new year as TV Tokyo tapped him to play Tokugawa Iemitsu. Kin'ya returned to NHK for the 1987 Taiga drama Dokuganryū Masamune as Date Terumune, father of title character Date Masamune.

Another role he took had been created by his father. Saotome Mondonosuke was the title character in the series Gozonji! Hatamoto Taikutsu Otoko. It ran from 1988 to 1994 on TV Asahi. His father, Ichikawa Utaemon, had appeared in numerous films as Mondonosuke.

Kin'ya reprised the part of Miyamoto Musashi in the 1990 New Year's special. Toshirō Mifune had portrayed Musashi in the earlier film, also based on the Eiji Yoshikawa story, that had won an Academy Award. He returned to the New Year's special in 1996, again as the famous swordsman, in Tokugawa Kengōden Sore kara no Musashi.

His first portrayal of Ōishi Kuranosuke was in the 1996 Chūshingura. He took up the role again in 2004 for the NHK Saigo no Chūshingura and in 2007, in the New Year special Chūshingura Yōzei-in no Inbō. Other historical roles from the Sengoku period include Azai Nagamasa, Saitō Dōsan, and Yamamoto Kansuke. In addition to historical parts, he appeared in fictional series. His portrayal of Ogami Ittō in the Lone Wolf and Cub ( Kozure 2) Which was a series for Asahi TV in Japan is representative of these appearances.

In 2008, Kitaōji revisited the role of Katsu Kaishū in the Taiga drama Atsuhime. He had portrayed Katsu in his 1956 debut.

He won the award for best actor at the 10th Hochi Film Award for Fire Festival and Haru no kane. Kitaōji played one of the lead roles in Hideo Nakata's psychological thriller film The Incite Mill.

In recent times, Kitaōji voices the Hokkaido-inu character of "Father" in SoftBank Mobile's White Family advertising campaign.

Known for

Acting
2024 Toyama Shōgawa kai satsujin jiken Actor N/A
N/A
2024 Believe: A Bridge to You Actor Bando Goro 69
Fair
2024 Alice in Wonderful Kitchen Actor Gojo Michitaka 69
Fair
2023 THE LEGEND & BUTTERFLY Actor Saitō Dōsan 59
Average
2022 さすらい署長風間昭平スペシャル　塩屋岬いわき殺人事件 Actor N/A
N/A
2021 In His Chart Actor Itagaki Genzo [Director] N/A
N/A
2020 The Confidence Man JP – Episode of the Princess – Actor Raymond Fuu 59
Average
2020 Alive: Dr. Kokoro, The Medical Oncologist Actor Kyotaro Onda 69
Fair
2019 Castle of Sand Actor 59
Average
2019 Whistleblower Actor Ikuo Yakuyama 59
Average
2019 Kioku Sousa ~Shinjuku Higashi-sho Jiken Fairu~ Actor 68
Fair
2018 がん消滅の罠～完全寛解の謎～ Actor 西條征士郎(さいじょう せいしろう) N/A
N/A
2017 Virtual Detective Tabito Higurashi Actor Wataru Enoki 70
Good
2016 Monster Strike The Movie: To The Place of Beginnings Actor Kentaro Ishibashi (voice) 58
Average
2016 One Piece Film: GOLD Actor Raise Max (voice) 65
Fair
2016 Case 17 Actor Shuichi Itami N/A
N/A
2016 Sayonara Debussy - Pianist Tantei Misaki Yosuke Actor 香月玄太郎 N/A
N/A
2016 Fragile Actor Kaoru Nakaguma 70
Good
2015 Keiji 7-nin Actor Shuntaro Domoto 69
Fair
2014 Seicho Matsumoto's Black Gospel Actor 59
Average
2014 Sanbiki no Ossan Actor 清田清一 69
Fair
2014 Sakura Housara Actor N/A
N/A
2013 淋しい狩人 Actor N/A
N/A
2013 Hanzawa Naoki Actor Ken Nakanowatari 76
Good
2013 Legal High SP Actor Teshigawara Isao 60
Fair
2012 Asura Actor Monk 60
Fair
2012 Breathless Summer Actor Shusaku Natsume 69
Fair
2012 Blackboard Actor Shioda Akinori 70
Good
2012 Man of Destiny Actor Keisaku Sahashi N/A
N/A
2012 I Don't Want to Kidnap Anyone Anymore Actor Hanazono Shugoro 58
Average
2011 The Last Revenge Actor Tesshu Yamaoka 59
Average
2011 Princess Go Actor 69
Fair
2010 Chushingura〜Sono Otoko, Oishi Kuranosuke Actor 59
Average
2010 The Incite Mill Actor Yoshi Ando 58
Average
2010 Sakurada Gate Incident Actor 59
Average
2010 Eternal First Love Actor Yuichi Makibara 59
Average
2009 Genjuro's Deadly Sword: The Return of Shinigami Actor N/A
N/A
2009 Triangle Actor Kuroki Shinzo 69
Fair
2008 刑事シュート しゅうと&ムコの事件日誌 Actor N/A
N/A
2008 Sushi King Goes to New York Actor Gengoro 59
Average
2008 Phantom Assassin Actor Koyama Genjuro N/A
N/A
2008 Atsuhime Actor 71
Good
2007 Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces Actor Kuwayama Jubei N/A
N/A
2007 The Grand Family Actor Daisuke Manpyo 69
Fair
2005 Magistrate Ooka Echizen Actor N/A
N/A
2005 The Story of Dominating Countries Actor N/A
N/A
2004 忠臣蔵 Actor N/A
N/A
2004 Roving Police Chief Kazama Shohei 2 - Lake Tazawa Murder Case Actor Shohei Kazama N/A
N/A
2003 さすらい署長 風間昭平 Actor N/A
N/A
2002 生存 愛する娘のために Actor N/A
N/A
2001 Hojo Tokimune Actor Sha Kokumei N/A
N/A
1997 The Peking Man Actor Kin'ya Kitaôji 59
Average
1996 Further Tales of Musashi Actor Miyamoto Musashi N/A
N/A
1995 Another 47 Ronins: Genroku Taiheiki Actor N/A
N/A
1995 Assassin's Target: Iemitsu Actor N/A
N/A
1994 The Notorious Bored Samurai 9 Actor Saotome Mondonosuke N/A
N/A
1994 The Notorious Bored Samurai 9 Actor N/A
N/A
1993 Bored Hatamoto: The Kaga Conspiracy Actor N/A
N/A
1993 事件 (テレビ朝日のテレビドラマ) Actor N/A
N/A
1993 The Notorious Bored Samurai 8 Actor Sawatari Mondonosuke N/A
N/A
1993 Bored Hatamoto: Letter of Death Actor N/A
N/A
1993 Yakuza Ladies Revisited 2 Actor N/A
N/A
1993 Date Masamune: The One-Eyed Dragon Actor N/A
N/A
1992 The Notorious Bored Samurai 7 Actor Sawatari Shusui N/A
N/A
1992 The Diary of Chuji's Travels Actor Chuji N/A
N/A
1992 Tokugawa Ieyasu: The Conqueror of Japan Actor N/A
N/A
1991 The Notorious Bored Samurai 6 Actor Sawatari Shusui N/A
N/A
1991 Dohten Actor N/A
N/A
1990 The Notorious Bored Samurai 5 Actor Sawatari Shusui N/A
N/A
1990 Detective Heiji Actor Heiji Zenigata N/A
N/A
1990 Miyamoto Musashi Actor Miyamoto Musashi N/A
N/A
1989 The Notorious Bored Samurai 3 Actor Sawatari Shusui N/A
N/A
1989 Sensei Actor Chairman of the town N/A
N/A
1989 Sanada Yukimura Actor N/A
N/A
1988 The Notorious Bored Samurai 2 Actor Mondonosuke Saotome N/A
N/A
1988 The Notorious Bored Samurai Actor Mondosuke N/A
N/A
1987 Masamune Shogun Actor 伊達輝宗 71
Good
1987 Crisis at Edo Castle - Angry Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu Actor N/A
N/A
1986 Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches Actor Genroku Kano (Tokugawa Yoshimune) N/A
N/A
1985 Spring Bell Actor Rokuheita Narumi 59
Average
1985 The Second Is a Christian Actor Eiji 58
Average
1985 The Second Is a Christian Actor 58
Average
1985 Yume-Chiyo Actor 58
Average
1985 Fire Festival Actor Tatsuo 58
Average
1984 The Story of a Man Among Men Actor 59
Average
1984 Zero Actor Jiro Horikoshi 58
Average
1984 Kukai Actor Kukai N/A
N/A
1982 Shadow Conspirator Actor N/A
N/A
1982 Future War 198X Actor Wataru Mikumo (voice) 59
Average
1982 Lake of Illusions Actor Nobunaga Oda 58
Average
1982 The Highest Honour Actor Major Tachibana 59
Average
1981 Abandoned Actor N/A
N/A
1980 Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga Actor 58
Average
1978 Glowing Autumn Actor N/A
N/A
1978 Dynamite Don-Don Actor Ginji Tachibana 59
Average
1978 Monument to Holy Service Actor N/A
N/A
1978 Winter's Flower Actor Michio Sakata 58
Average
1978 Shag Actor 59
Average
1977 Mount Hakkoda Actor Captain Kanda 59
Average
1977 The Alaska Story Actor Frank Yasuda 59
Average
1976 The Corporation Actor N/A
N/A
1976 Love and Separation in Sri Lanka Actor N/A
N/A
1975 Takehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru Actor Yumeji Takehisa N/A
N/A
1975 Gambling Den Heist Actor Takeshi Kiyomoto 58
Average
1975 Shimane Prison Riot Actor Yuji Kawamura 59
Average
1975 Path of Japanese Chivalry: Story of All-Out Attack Actor N/A
N/A
1974 Father of the Kamikaze Actor N/A
N/A
1974 Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode Actor Tamotsu Matsumura 59
Average
1974 Akumyo: Notorious Dragon Actor 59
Average
1973 The Blossom and the Sword Actor Captain Sakagami 58
Average
1973 Rise, Fair Sun Actor N/A
N/A
1973 Men and War III: The Final Chapter Actor Shunsuke Godai 58
Average
1973 Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima Actor Shoji Yamanaka 60
Fair
1971 A Woman Called En Actor N/A
N/A
1970 Will to Conquer Actor N/A
N/A
1970 Mominoki wa Nokotta Actor Sakai Tadakiyo N/A
N/A
1969 Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor Actor Soji Okita 59
Average
1969 Admiral Borneo: Betting at the Equator Actor Takeo N/A
N/A
1968 One Day at Summer's End Actor Shigeo Ugari N/A
N/A
1968 The Day the Sun Rose Actor 59
Average
1968 Ryoma ga Yuku Actor Sakamoto Ryoma N/A
N/A
1967 River of Forever Actor N/A
N/A
1965 Love on the Rainbow Actor Tatsuya Kitakami N/A
N/A
1965 Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu Actor 59
Average
1964 Wolves, Pigs & Men Actor Sabu, the third brother 59
Average
1963 The Navy Actor Shinji N/A
N/A
1963 53 Stages of Action Actor N/A
N/A
1963 Tokaido Fullhouse Actor Okeya-no-oni 59
Average
1962 A Revengeful Raid Actor 59
Average
1962 Keepers of Order Actor 59
Average
1962 Yoka chigo zakura Make no wakamusha Actor N/A
N/A
1962 Genkuro Yoshitsune Actor N/A
N/A
1962 Knightly Advice Actor 59
Average
1961 Young Lord and Second Son Actor N/A
N/A
1961 Whistling Drifter Actor Tsukinowa Gentaro N/A
N/A
1961 Law in Ghost Island Actor Yusaku 59
Average
1961 The Orphan Brother Actor 59
Average
1961 Lord Mito: Struggle of Suke and Kaku Actor N/A
N/A
1961 Fine Man Actor N/A
N/A
1960 Bored Hatamoto: Island of No Return Actor N/A
N/A
1959 Bloody Battle at Dawn Actor 58
Average
1959 Bored Hatamoto: The Daimonji Conspiracy Actor 58
Average
1959 The Acrobats of Death Actor 59
Average
1958 Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute Actor 58
Average
1958 Kingdom of Youth Actor Yamanaka Shikanoske N/A
N/A
1957 The Mansion of Intrigue Actor Kirishima Kyoya N/A
N/A
1957 Shadow Over Fuji Actor N/A
N/A
1956 Avenging Father Actor Minamoto no Yoriie 59
Average
1956 Virtue in Spades Actor N/A
N/A
白虎隊～敗れざる者たち Actor N/A
N/A