Kokichi Takada was born Takeichi Kaijura in 1911. he began his film career with Shochiku Co. in 1926 and became a leading star in the mid-1930s. He oftend starred in historical films. Takada performed with a travelling trouope in post-war Japan before returning to the screen in 1954. He died in Kyoto of pneumonia at the age of 86 on May 19, 1998.