Background
Nobutaro Shirai was born in 1897 in Kyoto, Japan. Adopted child of Matsujiro Shirai, brother of Takejiro Otani.
白井
theater executive Cinema executive
Nobutaro Shirai was born in 1897 in Kyoto, Japan. Adopted child of Matsujiro Shirai, brother of Takejiro Otani.
His tour of Europe and America where he inspected theatrical activities with playwright Sho-o Matsui and others (1919) resulted in the founding of Shochiku Kinema (Cinema) Company.
He became first manager of Kamata Studio (1920) and thereafter served successively as manager of Kyoto Studio of Shochiku Company (from 1988) and president and studio manager of Shinko Kinema (New Cinema) Company (1929); appointed manager of Ofuna Studio (1943) but resigned (1946). President of Mainichi Kogyo (Entertainment Industry) Company.