Ryu Chishu

Other Name: 笠智衆

Age: 120

Birthday: May 13, 1904

Nationality: Japanese

Gender: Male

Ryu Chishu was a Japanese actor born in Tamamizu, Tamana, Kumamoto, Japan. His family resided in Ryojoji Temple, which belonged to the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha sect, where his father served as a priest. He graduated from Tamamizu Elementary School and then from Tamana Junior High School. Following this, he enrolled at Ryukoku University in Kyoto. Although he was expected to succeed the temple from his father since his elder brother had gone to Taiwan, he had no intention of taking over the temple and rarely attended university, which his father strongly encouraged him to attend. Eventually, his father found out about his lack of attendance and he dropped out. Later, he enrolled in the Department of Indian Philosophy at the former Toyo University. Despite informing his parents that he was attending university to prepare for inheriting the family temple, he had no real intention of doing so. In February 1925, at the age of 20, he responded to a recruitment advertisement for trainee actors he saw in a newspaper, spurred on by a friend's half-joking suggestion. He applied and was accepted as a trainee actor in the first intake at the Shochiku Kamata Studios. Becoming a movie actor wasn't his original intention, but he was open to any profession other than becoming a Buddhist priest like his father. However, circumstances led him to temporarily take over as the priest of his family temple for four months in July of the same year, following his father's passing. Yet, in January 1926, he relinquished the role to his elder brother and returned to Tokyo to resume his career at the Shochiku Kamata Studios. He spent over a decade as a supporting actor, mostly playing minor roles such as pedestrians. In 1965, he made his television drama debut in the leading role of "Tamayura". On March 16, 1993, he passed away at the age of 88. Despite battling bladder cancer and other health issues in the years leading up to his death, he remained active in his career and maintained his presence until the end. His eldest son, Kasa Tetsu, joined Toho as an employee. Although he worked as a staff member, he also appeared as an actor alongside his father. In 1994, after Chishu's passing, his son authored "Harukaze-omoi: Memories of My Father, Chishu Ryu." His grandson, Kasa Kenzo, is also an actor. (Source: Japanese = Wikipedia || Translation = MyDramaList).