Arishima Ichiro, born Oshima Tadao (大島忠雄) in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, was a Japanese actor. He was the eldest son of a steel factory owner. After attending Hioki Elementary School (日置尋常小学校) and Nagoya Middle School (名古屋中学校), where he developed an interest in theater, he became self-reliant following the deaths of his parents.

In 1933, he apprenticed under actor Tamura Kunio (田村邦男), and in 1936, he moved to Tokyo, joining the Moulin Rouge (ムーラン・ルージュ) in Shinjuku. He married Masako in 1940 and formed the short-lived Arishima Ichiro Troupe (有島一郎一座). He later joined the Sayo Fukuko Troupe (小夜福子一座) and the Tanpopo Theatre Company (劇団たんぽぽ), and co-founded the Kukiza Theatre Company (劇団空気座) after World War II, though he soon withdrew.

Arishima made his film debut in 1947 in The Blood of Youth Burns (若き日の血は燃えて) and signed an exclusive contract with Toho Entertainment (東宝芸能) in 1955. He ended this contract in 1972 and later worked as a freelance actor, also having an affiliation with Shochiku Ofuna (松竹大船) at one point.

Arishima's granddaughter is actress and singer Romi (歌手).

His health declined in June 1987, and after being hospitalized at Hibiya Hospital, he passed away from heart failure on July 20, 1987, at the age of 71.

(Source: MyDramaList) Edit Biography