Eitaro Ozawa (Japanese: 小沢栄太郎, Ozawa Eitarō; 18 February 1902 – 23 January 1970) was a Japanese film and stage actor, as well as a film director and theatre director.
Early life and education
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ozawa studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he received training in acting and theatre production.
Career
Ozawa began his acting career in the 1920s, performing with several modern theatre troupes. In the 1930s he transitioned to film, appearing in both silent and sound productions. He worked with prominent directors such as Akira Kurosawa, appearing in Ikiru (1952) and Seven Samurai (1954). Ozawa also directed a number of stage productions and, in the late 1940s, directed a handful of films, including the drama The Moonlit Night (1949).
Notable filmography
- Ikiru (1952) – role: Chief of the Public Health Department
- Seven Samurai (1954) – role: Councillor (uncredited)
- The Burmese Harp (1956) – role: Colonel (supporting)
Later years and death
Ozawa continued acting in both film and theatre throughout the 1960s. He died in Tokyo on 23 January 1970 at the age of 67.
Legacy
Eitaro Ozawa is remembered for his versatile performances across a range of genres and for his contributions to the development of modern Japanese theatre. His work helped bridge traditional theatrical forms with contemporary cinema during a formative period in Japan’s cultural history.
