Nakamura Kichiemon I

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

Nakamura Kichiemon I wearing the Grand Order of Culture

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

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

See also

  • List of people on stamps of Japan
  • Shūmei

Notes

References

  • 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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