Shinji Maki (牧 伸二 Maki Shinji, born 26 September 1934 - 29 April 2013) was a Japanese comedian who played the ukulele.

 

Biography

Maki was born in Meguro, Tokyo on 26 September 1934. His real name was Moritsune Ōi (大井 守常 Ōi Moritsune). His appearance in the live vaudevillian show Shiroto Yose featuring amateur entertainers established his career as an independent comedian. Shuichi Makino coached him, and gave him his stage name.

 

Career

In 1960, Maki became the host of the radio program Ukelele Weekly Report (ウクレレ週刊誌) on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. In 1963, he hosted the vaudevillian TV show Taisho Terebi Yose (大正テレビ寄席) on TV Asahi.

Maki was elected the leader of the Tokyo Vaudevillian Guild in 1999.

 

Death

Maki was found dead in the Tama River, separating Ōta, Tokyo and Kawasaki, Kanagawa, in the early hours of 29 April 2013, after apparently having jumped from the Maruko Bridge.

 

References

^ a b "「あーあ、やんなっちゃった」牧伸二さん死亡　ウクレレ漫談家、自殺か　７８歳" [Shinji Maki dies aged 78, possible suicide]. MSN Sankei News (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013. ^ "Ukulele-strumming comic chat artist Shinji Maki dies after river plunge". The Mainichi. Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.