ENGINE STARTING DEVICE AND STARTING METHOD

An engine starter and starting method with which a starter drive prohibited interval can be reduced and the restart time can be brought earlier to the maximum possible limit, while the wear on the starter and the load thereupon are kept down within an allowable range, are provided. A starter (101) includes a magnetic switch (102), a pinion gear (103), and a motor body (105). A control device (109) prohibits, in a reverse rotation region directly before an engine stops completely when being stopped automatically, starting of shifting of the pinion gear during an interval of equal to or less than a predetermined negative rotation that is taken as a starter drive prohibited interval; and starts, in a region other than the starter drive prohibited interval, shifting of the pinion gear immediately in response to an engine restart request, thus connecting the pinion gear with the ring gear and starting the engine, and controls restarting of the engine on the basis of the engine rotational speed detected by an engine rotation sensor (110).