Kinichi Hagimoto

Before Konto 55-gō

Hagimoto aspired for a career as an entertainer as far back as junior high school times, when after graduation he approached the local Asakusa comedic legend Toshimitsu Ōmiya to ask for an apprenticeship, but was told to at least finish high school first.

After high school he was at last slated to enter Ōmiya's Asakusa Shochiku Engeijō comedic troupe through an introduction by the Tōyō Gekijō (Tōyō Kōgyō Keiei) troupe of the Asakusa Kōen Rokku red-light entertainment district. However, after being told by Ōmiya "you can always come to our place if it doesn't work out there" he stopped at the last minute and went to nearby Tōyō Gekijō instead.

He started out as an apprentice. At Tōyō Gekijō, he took direction from many veterans such as Shin-ichi Ike, Eiji Ishida, and Hachiro Azuma. He was taken under the wing of their master and head of the Asakusa scene, Senzaburo Fukami (the master of Beat Takeshi, who later scolded Hagimoto for trying to conceal his beginnings in the Asakusa burlesque scene after moving on to television).

After developing at Tōyō Gekijō, he moved to the affiliated Asakusa Furansu-Za, where he polished his act doing intermission skits. It was there that he met comedian and later partner Rōru Andō (later known as Jirō Sakagami). At that time, however, they were more rivals than partners, competing to get laughs. His impression of Sakagami was "If I perform with him I'll get upstaged."

After this he left Tōyō Gekijō and went through some other troupes, then headlined the newly formed Gekidan Asakusa Shinkigeki at Asakusa Shochiku Engeijō. During that time, he trained under broadcast writer Katsuo Hamaka and undertook the creation of true professional comedy. At that time he also met Michio Iwashiro, who would later be responsible for most of the lines for the Hagimoto's Konto 55-gō act. Also, through Hamaka's connections, he met TBS network producer Sōya Mukai and entertainment manager Ryōji Asai (head of Asai Kikaku), and began his career as a professional talent. He appeared in a commercial for a comedy program that Mukai was handling called "Jintaka Panchi". However it took him 22 filming takes, perhaps due to nerves, and he was compelled to quit.

The disappointed Hagimoto gave up on a television career and decided to focus on a stage career. He broke up the Asakusa Shinkigeki, and started anew at the Atami Tsuruya Hotel. There he came up with the solo skit "Tsukue", which would later be an early staple for Konto 55-gō which took Japan by storm.

During the time with Katsuo Hamaka, he was a friend of Shin-ichi Ichikawa, who would make his scriptwriting debut with the television series Kaijū Būsuka. He would later write for the Nippon Television 40th anniversary special drama Goruden Boizu ("Golden Boys") in which a young Hagimoto appeared (with Kazuki Kosakai).

Konto 55-gō

He formed the "Konto 55-gō" ("Skit #55") duo after an invitation from Jirō Sakagami in 1966, originally for a one-act contract (according to them, they had become a regular act without realizing it after renewing several times).

They became a sensation appearing on the live program Ohiru no goruden shō with Takehiko Maeda on Fuji Television (1968–71). After this, they dominated television with programs such as Konto 55-gō no Sekai Wa Warau (Fuji TV), Konto 55-gō no Urabangumi wo Buttobase! and Konto 55-gō no Nande Sou Naru No? (NTV), Chīmu 55-gō and Minna-de deyō! 55-gō ketteiban (TBS), Whoa! Konto 55-gō!! and Konto 55-gō!! Waratte tamaru ka!? (NET TV, now Asahi TV). They continued performing as a duo after that, but gradually started a solo career as well starting in 1975 as the star of the hit show Pittashi Kan-Kan (TBS) hosted by Hiroshi Kume.

Shichōritsu 100% Otoko (100% viewer rating man)

He appeared solo from 1972 on the Nippon Broadcasting radio program Kinchan No Don To Itte Miyō!!. The program based mostly on letters from listeners rose in popularity, and debuted on television in 1975 on a Saturday night slot on Fuji Television. At the same time he was hosting Ōru sutā kazoku taikou utagassen ("all-star family singing battle") (1972–1986, Hagimoto until June 1984) on the same network and Sutā Tanjō! ("birth of a star") (Nippon Television), where he developed a style of interacting with the family of guests and amateur extras. This was expanded in shows such as Kin Don! which featured a cast of primarily amateurs called the Kin Don Gekidan, and in features interacting with passersby while walking down streets on location, and mastered to perfection in later shows.

When given proposals for new shows, he often responded, "I can't emcee, so I want you to hire a girl who can emcee properly." It is said that this was the beginning of the "assistant" role in shows.

Later in 1981 his series Kin Don! Yoi Ko Warui Ko Futsū no Ko (Fuji Television) began on Mondays at 9PM. After continued high ratings in his next shows Kinchan No Doko Made Yaru No!? (Kin doko) on Asahi in 1976 and "Kinchan no Shūkan Kin-yōbi" (TBS) in 1982, he picked up the nickname "100% Otoko", reflecting the sum of the ratings for the three shows. The many celebrities whose careers were born on these shows became known as the "Kinchan Family".

Hagimoto is not only skilled at making ordinary performers into professional comedians, but also in drawing out the comedic side of celebrities. Among those he developed into comedic starts includes Kiyoshi Maekawa (singer, previously a "cool" character actor), Hiroshi Uchiyama and Cool Five (mood ballad group), Rie Nakahara (young ballad singer), Junko Maya (formerly a stage actress), and Masaru Shiga (villain actor).

However, though Hagimoto's popularity and fame rose through his programs, many stars were washed up in the process. By appearing on his programs, many stars sacrificed their acting or musical careers. Though their renewed popularity was mostly due to Hagimoto's talents, many became overconfident in their own abilities. One example is Seiroku Saitō, who gained sudden fame appearing on Kin Doko, but was rarely seen on television afterward.

Aside from starring in and producing top rate variety programs, he became the face of programs beginning with Sutā Tanjō (NTV) in 1971, continuing with Ōru stā Kazoku Taikō Utagassen (Fuji) as host, the still running 24-Jikan Terebi ("24 Hour Television") (NTV) from 1978, and also in radio on the Rajio Charitī Myūjikkuson ("Radio Charity Music-thon") (Nippon Hōsō) from 1975.

Hagimoto went on a six-month "recharge" hiatus from all his regular programs starting in March 1985. He stated that he didn't have the confidence to maintain the popularity of his "100% Otoko" level, also commenting that he was tired of the ad lib style programs that were becoming popular at the time. He reportedly never liked ad-lib, often begging partner Sakagami backstage to stick to the script. However, in regards to requests from NTV director Takao Saito to follow the script he commented that "performers have pride as performers", and was known to ad-lib on stage at times. Regarding the hiatus he was also noted afterwards as saying that he felt down about the start of a downward trend in ratings.

Post-hiatus

After returning from hiatus, he returned to television but struggled with the failure of subsequent programs, and saw the surrender of his early 80s spot in the "Owarai Big 3" with Beat Takeshi and Tamori to Sanma Akashiya. However, he still regularly appears on television such as on Kinchan & Katori Shingo no Zen-Nihon Kasō Taishō ("Kinchan & Shingo Katori's All-Japan Costume Grand Prix"), and is still a household name. He hosted the closing ceremonies of the Nagano Olympics in 1998. Since 1980, he has been active organizing the Kinchan Gekidan with Kiyoshi Maegawa, performing on stage.

Kinchan baseball club

As a boy he loved baseball and was devoted to his high school team. Perhaps due to that and a lament for the recent decine in baseball's popularity in Japan, he aimed to show the fun of baseballby starting the Kantō-based amateur baseball "Ibaraki Golden Golds" (based in Sakuragawa-mura, now Inashiki-shi, Ibaraki) of the Nippon Yakyū Renmei (Japanese Baseball Association) on December 26, 2004. With an unprecedented collection of former professional players, comedians, and a female player he created the most popular amateur team ever.This started a trend of clubs started by celebrities such as Kensaku Morita, Jōji Yamamoto, and Hiroshi Moriguchi, and made a large contribution to the revival of baseball's popularity.

Within the team, rather than the usual Hagimoto-kantoku (Coach Hagimoto) he is called Kintoku, and abbreviation of Kinichi-kantoku. During exhibition games, he is known to hold the mike and give running commentary on the game or encourage the players, drawing the crowd into the game. In addition, he has formed a sister team, the Miyazaki Golden Golds.

Hokkaidō incident

On July 19, 2006, while on an exhibition road trip to Hokkaidō, team member and former comedic duo Gokuraku Tonbo member Kei-ichi Yamamoto was charged with sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl. He was dismissed from his talent agency Yoshimoto Kōgyō the same day. The following morning, Hagimoto announced his intention to break up the team, having previously told the amateur baseball federation of his intention to break up the team a full eight hours before his public announcement.

The announcement caused waves, with local residents circulating a petition to continue the team and media surveys also showing widespread support for continuing. On the field before a game with Sega Sammy in Niigata Prefecture on July 22, he reversed his decision to breakup the team.

Though there was strong support for him from the media and public opinion, he was criticized by some athletes for breaking up the team based on his own feelings then just as whimsically retreating on his statement due to the public reaction without properly considering the feelings of the players who had no involvement with the incident. Also, his leadership skills were questioned since he did not take personal responsibility as manager. Furthermore, there was no apology for the fact that other players were involved in the incident.

In addition, at the time of the breakup announcement in front of cameras when asked if he had a message for Yamamoto he said, "now the team is gone!", but when repealing the announcement he suddenly changed his tone, saying, "why you don't come out one night when there're no fans wearing a uniform with no number and hang out with us just as Yamamoto". In an interview with the show Waido! Sukuranburu ("Wide! Scramble") he mentioned the possibility of Yamamoto returning at first as a ball boy with the uniform number 0. However, he also made large roster changes to the team and commented other times that there was no possibility of Yamamoto's return, causing uncertainty surrounding the team. In January 2007 Yamamoto appeared at a public team workout and personally apologized to Hagimoto. However, Hagimoto made comments to the effect that he had still not forgiven Yamamoto.

Meeting with Chaplin

In 1971 Hagimoto met with Charlie Chaplin, who was living in seclusion in Switzerland at the time, for a Fuji Television production. It all started when Hagimoto mentioned Chaplin as a comedian he respected. Actually, Hagimoto only mentioned his name because "he is the most famous comedian on earth", while only having seen Chaplin's movies a couple of times.

At the time, it was said that Chaplin would not meet anyone, and the production staff was uncertain whether it would actually happen, but a confident Hagimoto set off for Switzerland. Hagimoto was given 4 days. On the first day, as feared he was told by carers that Chaplin was not available. The next day, they were able to see Chaplin in his car as he returned home, but were not allowed on his property. They were advised by Toraichi Kouno, a former driver for Chaplin, that "if there was a woman he would probably meet with you" and "he likes Japanese". Hagimoto brought a Hakata doll as gift to the house and was told by Chaplin's manager that they would take the gift, but only tell Chaplin of the visitor from Japan. On the last day, Hagimoto persisted by trying to explain that he just came to express his respect for the man, but was refused by the manager again. An angry and frustrated Hagimoto started yelling in Japanese, "That movie (full of humanism) is just a lie!" Chaplin, who overheard the commotion, came out to see what was happening, and warmly greeted him. According to Hagimoto, the manager explained that various extortionists constantly visit the house so he refused unsolicited visitors access to Chaplin.

After the visit Hagimoto has had a deep respect for Chaplin, and has even watched all his works. In December 1977 during the Nippon Broadcasting Rajio Charitī Myūjikkuson news of Chaplin's death was reported by Hagimoto, who spontaneously started crying.

Wedding reports and family

Around the time he became a star while doing Kin Don! Hagimoto announced his marriage, but withheld his bride's name and asked the press to respect their privacy. This was because she was a show dancer he knew during his humble early days in the Asakusa burlesque scene. According to his autobiography, he encountered no resistance from the press to his request, even receiving applause from the reporters at the time of the announcement, who were already aware of her background. Also, he has three children with her, who were not introduced to the press for some time since they led private lives. In his 2007 autobiography he finally introduced their names publicly.

Other

Influence

His influence on the entertainment and broadcast worlds can still be felt, with stars who started under him such as Tsutomu Sekine, Kazuki Kosakai, Emi Hashino, Toshirō Yanagiba, and Kunikazu Katsumata still appearing on television, radio, and stage, along with scriptwriters like Ryōichi Kimizuka and Shousuke Ōiwa. He also helped the then unknown Dauntaun ("Downtown") comedic duo by giving them appearances on his shows. Though of completely opposite style, they felt a huge obligation to him, with Dauntaun's Masatoshi Hamada once telling the staff of a radio program "get rid of the Hagimoto insults" when handed a script that included jokes about Hagimoto. Dauntaun's Hitoshi Matsumoto recalled his appreciation for him in a book that looking back at the early times when the "Taishō" gave Dauntaun freedom to decide on the content of their act (while keeping a short leash on others).

Around that time he was thrilled to discover the "once in a decade" talents of Jimi Ōnishi. However, after meeting with him in the dressing room, he dejectedly commented "[the act] was all just 'tennen' (natural)" (mindless foolishness rather than calculated comedic genius). This is said to be the origin of the term "tennen boke" ("natural fool").

The game "yakyūken" in which the players play "jan ken pon" (rock-paper-scissors) while dancing to music and the loser takes off a piece of clothing, became well known after appearing on "Urabangumi wo buttobase!". However, Hagimoto apparently hated it at the time. One reason was its dirtiness, and also the fact that comedic talents of the performers took a backseat to the game itself. It was said that he felt that comedy culture was degradating due to these acts. However, he took part in a game in 2005 at the birthplace of yakyūken, Matsuyama (where originally clothing was not removed). The "atchi muite hoi" extension of "jan ken pon" is said to have spread nationwide only after its use in Kinchan's spot on "Sutā Tanjō!".

Countless other jokes and material are said to have originated from his programs like "Kin Don!", "Yoi Ko, Warui Ko, Futsū no Ko", and "Kinchan Gekidan".

Television (programs he headlined)

Radio

Animation

Film

Games

Authored works

"Pajama-Tō"

The "Pajama-Tō" is the writing team behind some of Kinichi Hagimoto's hit programs like "Kin don!". Within the team the trio of Tsuruma, Ōkura, and Kimizuka are known as the "Sarada-Tō". Hagimoto himself also contributed under the pen name "Fusashi Aki".