Nakamura Kichiemon I (初代中村吉右衛門, Shodai Nakamura Kichiemon, March 24, 1886 – September 8, 1954) was a Japanese actor and kabuki performer. In 1945, he became the senior living kabuki actor in Japan.[1]

Nakamura Kichiemon I
Nakamura Kichiemon I wearing the Grand Order of Culture(1951)
Born
Tatsujirō Namino (波野辰次郎)[a]

(1886-03-24)March 24, 1886
DiedSeptember 8, 1954(1954-09-08) (aged 68)
OccupationKabuki actor
FatherNakamura Karoku III
RelativesNakamura Karoku I (grandfather)
Nakamura Tokizō III (younger brother)
Nakamura Kanzaburō XVII (younger brother)
Masako Fujima (daughter)
Matsumoto Hakuō I (son-in-law)
Matsumoto Hakuō II (grandson)
Nakamura Kichiemon II (grandson/adoptive son)
Matsumoto Koshirō X (great-grandson)[b]
Kio Matsumoto (great-granddaughter)[c]
Takako Matsu (great-granddaughter)[d]
Yoko Namino (great-granddaughter)[e]
Ichikawa Somegorō VIII (great-great-grandson)[f]
Mio Matsuda (great-great-granddaughter)[g]
Onoe Ushinosuke VII (great-great-grandson)[h]

Biography

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Kichiemon construed his career in terms of "lifelong study" (gei) of that which cannot be seen in an actor's performance.[2]

Nakamura Kichiemon is a formal kabuki stage name. The actor first appeared using the name in 1897; and he continued to use this name until his death.[3]

He was the maternal grandfather of Nakamura Kichiemon II.[4] In the conservative Kabuki world, stage names are passed from father to son in formal system which converts the kabuki stage name into a mark of accomplishment.[5] In choosing to be known by the same stage name as his grandfather, the living kabuki performer honors his family relationships and tradition.

In a long career, he acted in many kabuki plays, including the role of Matsuō-maru in the July 1951 production of Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami.[6]

Selected works

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In a statistical overview derived from writings by and about Nakamura Kichiemon I, OCLC/WorldCat encompasses roughly 10+ works in 20+ publications in 2 languages and 80+ library holdings.[7]

  • 1946 — "Kabuki geki no susumu beki michi" ("The way kabuki drama must advance"). Tögeki, Tokyo Gekijö program. May 7, 1946
  • 1951 — Diary of Kichiemon (吉右衞門自傳, Kichiemon jiden). OCLC 33707206
  • 1956 — Kichiemon Diary (吉右衛門日記, Kichiemon nikki) OCLC 033708328

Honors

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ While the stage names of all kabuki actors have retained traditional order (Surname-Givenname) on Wikipedia, birth names of those born after the Meiji Restoration are in Western order (Givenname-Surname).
  2. ^ Son of Matsumoto Hakuō II
  3. ^ Daughter of Matsumoto Hakuō II
  4. ^ Daughter of Matsumoto Hakuō II
  5. ^ Daughter of Nakamura Kichiemon II
  6. ^ Son of Matsumoto Koshirō X
  7. ^ Daughter of Matsumoto Koshirō X
  8. ^ Son of his great-granddaughter Yoko Namino (daughter of Nakamura Kichiemon II) and kabuki actor Onoe Kikunosuke V (son of famous Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugorō VII)

References

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  • Leiter, Samuel L. (2006). Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5527-4; OCLC 238637010
  • __________. ( 2002). A Kabuki Reader: History and Performance. ISBN 9780765607041; ISBN 9780765607058; OCLC 182632867
  • Scott, Adolphe Clarence. (1955). The Kabuki Theatre of Japan. London: Allen & Unwin. OCLC 622644114
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