Born in Tôkyô in the district of Ushigome the 20th of March 1903. His real name was Nomura Hachirô. He was adopted in 1915 by a Nakamura family and his honmyô was changed to Nakamura Hachirô. He started his career in Kabuki in 1923 as a disciple of Matsumoto Kôshirô VII, who gave him the name of Matsumoto Kinzaburô. He became nadai and took the name of Matsumoto Someshô in June 1935. He joined the Zenshinza in 1942. He left the Zenshinza in 1956 and entered the movie world. He was casted in 61 movies, 26 for the Nikkatsu, 26 for the Tôhô and 5 for the Tôei. He left the movie world in 1971 and entered back the Kabuki world thanks to the patronage of Onoe Shôroku II. He appeared on stage for the last time in April 1985, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he performed in the "Sukeroku" which was staged to celebrate the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII. He died 12th of August 1985.