Photo: 日下和時 (Kazutoki Kusaka)キネマ旬報社 (Kinema Jumpo Sha Ltd.) / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Eijirō Tōno was born on September 17, 1907 in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Eijirō Tōno was credited as an actor and seiyū. Death is recorded on September 8, 1994, at the age of 86. Schooling on record includes Meiji University. Awards on record include Medal with Purple Ribbon (1975) and Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Supporting Actor (1955).
My Take
Eijirō Tōno (1907–1994) is a useful reminder of how strange fame can be. Over a career spanning more than fifty years he appeared in over 400 television productions, close to 250 films, and countless stage plays. He won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1955 and received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1975. And yet, for most Japanese viewers, he is one thing: the original Mito Kōmon, the wandering elder statesman of the long-running period drama. You could call that a reduction of a vast career into a single costume. I don't read it that way. A role like Mito Kōmon only works if the audience instantly believes in the man's authority and his mischief at the same time, and that belief is not something an actor conjures — it is deposited over decades of work. The one-time Meiji University student from Gunma spent half a century earning the right to be recognized on sight. Few careers are built with that kind of patience anymore.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Eijirō Tōno
- Name (Japanese)
- 東野英治郎
- Reading
- とうの えいじろう
- Born
- September 17, 1907 – September 8, 1994
- Origin
- Gunma Prefecture, Japan
- Height
- 159 cm
- Occupation
- actor / seiyū
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Goat
- Agency
- Haiyuza Theatre Company
- Active years
- 1934 - 1994
2. Background
- University
- Meiji University
Awards & achievements
- 1975 Medal with Purple Ribbon
- 1955 Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Supporting Actor
3. Works & records
Works summary
- Appearances
- 329 (1950–1994)
- By year (titles with a known year)
- 1950: 1, 1951: 5, 1952: 6, 1953: 9, 1954: 10, 1955: 14, 1956: 15, 1957: 15, 1958: 14, 1959: 13, 1960: 18, 1961: 15, 1962: 16, 1963: 20, 1964: 14, 1965: 16, 1966: 14, 1967: 10, 1968: 11, 1969: 10, 1970: 8, 1971: 5, 1972: 3, 1973: 2, 1974: 1, 1975: 1, 1976: 1, 1977: 4, 1978: 2, 1979: 4, 1980: 1, 1981: 1, 1982: 2, 1983: 1, 1984: 3, 1988: 1, 1989: 3, 1990: 1, 1992: 1, 1994: 1, year unknown: 37
- Debut work
- レ・ミゼラブル あゝ無情
Filmography / notable works
| Category | Title |
|---|---|
| Notable work | Mito Kōmon |
4. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eijir%C5%8D%20T%C5%8Dno
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%B1%E9%87%8E%E8%8B%B1%E6%B2%BB%E9%83%8E
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3049379
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. Works and profile fields sourced from Wikipedia reflect content as of 2026-08-26. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Eijirō Tōno born?
Eijirō Tōno was born on September 17, 1907.
When did Eijirō Tōno die?
Eijirō Tōno died on September 8, 1994, aged 86.
Where was Eijirō Tōno from?
Eijirō Tōno was from Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
What did Eijirō Tōno do?
Eijirō Tōno worked as actor, seiyū.
How tall was Eijirō Tōno?
Eijirō Tōno was 159 cm tall.
Where did Eijirō Tōno study?
Eijirō Tōno attended Meiji University.
What agency was Eijirō Tōno with?
Eijirō Tōno was with Haiyuza Theatre Company.
When was Eijirō Tōno active?
Eijirō Tōno was active from 1934 to 1994.
What was Eijirō Tōno known for?
Eijirō Tōno's notable works include Mito Kōmon.
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