 Specializing in "jidaigeki", he played the lead in various films before and during World War II.During the Occupation of Japan, however, when Allied censors restricted the production of "jidaigeki", Chiezō also appeared in a series of eleven films as Bannai Tarao, a modern era detective who is a master of disguise.He eventually joined Toei, where he also served on the board of directors.