Koichi Ose

, born as , is a Japanese actor famous for his lead role as samurai swordsman Akikusa Shintaro in The Samurai (TV series). This series made a huge impact when shown in Australia in 1965. He worked in television from 1958 to 1972, after which he became a businessman. He also became skilled in Iaido, the art of swift sword drawing.

Life Born in Yokohama, Ose's real name was Kazunari Ose. He graduated from Keio University School of Foreign Languages. In 1952 he joined the Daiei Motion Picture Company (who made Rashomon and Zatoichi among others) and appeared in a number of films.

Career Ose's career began in 1958 when he starred as the hero in the tokusatsu TV series Gekko Kamen (Moonlight Mask), before landing the leading role as Shintaro in The Samurai.

Ose got the part of Gekko Kamen when producer Shunichi Nishimura went to the Toei movie lot and picked him from some photographs, then interviewed him on the spot. At the time there were three candidates for the part, but the actor needed to have clear cut features which would be easy to draw so Ose was chosen.

Through Gekko Kamen, Ose gained popularity with children as the mysterious masked hero despite the fact his face was hidden by a mask and his identity kept secret to preserve the mystery.

Ose was also a recording artist. One of the singles released in English was called Lonely Night. Ose toured Australia in December 1965 and appeared in 12 live 90-minute shows in 15 days at the Sydney Stadium and at Festival Hall in Melbourne before returning to Japan. Originally only the Sydney shows were booked, but pressure from Melbourne promoters changed his program. Each show drew more than 6,000 people watching him slay dragons and fight ninjas in performance. He ran a promotion and property development company that included a golf course and a chain of noodle shops called "Goninbayashi" (five musical). She won awards for Zero no shoten (Zero Focus) and Haitoku no mesu in 1962. They have one son, Yasuhiro, born in October 1965. Ose had his share of accidents, falling and injuring himself during some swordplay at a theatre. He lives in Tokyo and is an expert in Iaido. He is tall.

Major TV roles Moonlight Mask (1958–1959) The Samurai (1962–1965) Eye of the Jaguar (1959)