Utaemon Ichikawa
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese film actor famous for starring roles in jidaigeki
from the 1920s to the 1960s. Trained in kabuki
from childhood, he made his film debut in 1925 at Makino Film Productions
under Shōzō Makino. Quickly gaining popularity, he followed the example of Makino stars such as Tsumasaburō Bandō
in starting his own independent production company, Utaemon Ichikawa Productions, in 1927. It was there he first began the "Idle Vassal" (Hatamoto taikutsu otoko) series, which would become his signature role. When his company folded in 1936 as sound film
came to the fore, he moved to Shinkō Kinema
and then Daiei Studios before helping form the Toei Company
after World War II
. He served on the board of directors along with fellow samurai star Chiezō Kataoka
. Utaemon appeared in over 300 films during his career. His son, Kin'ya Kitaōji
, is also a famous actor in film and television.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese film actor famous for starring roles in jidaigeki
Jidaigeki
is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. The name means "period drama" and is usually the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some, however, are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular...
from the 1920s to the 1960s. Trained in kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
from childhood, he made his film debut in 1925 at Makino Film Productions
Makino Film Productions
Makino Film Productions was a successful early film producing company active in Japanese cinema in the 1920s and 1930s. It was founded by the pioneering film director Shozo Makino in 1923....
under Shōzō Makino. Quickly gaining popularity, he followed the example of Makino stars such as Tsumasaburō Bandō
Tsumasaburo Bando
was one of the most prominent Japanese actors of the twentieth century. Famous for his rebellious, sword fighting roles in many jidaigeki silent films, he rose to fame after joining the Tōjiin Studio of Makino Film Productions in Kyoto in 1923.-Early life:...
in starting his own independent production company, Utaemon Ichikawa Productions, in 1927. It was there he first began the "Idle Vassal" (Hatamoto taikutsu otoko) series, which would become his signature role. When his company folded in 1936 as sound film
Sound film
A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades would pass before sound motion pictures were made commercially...
came to the fore, he moved to Shinkō Kinema
Shinkō Kinema
-Background:Shinkō was established in September 1931 out of the remnants of the Teikoku Kinema studio with the help of Shōchiku capital. The historian Jun'ichirō Tanaka writes that the studio was part of Shōchiku's effort to monopolize the Japanese film industry, using Shinkō to control some of the...
and then Daiei Studios before helping form the Toei Company
Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He served on the board of directors along with fellow samurai star Chiezō Kataoka
Chiezo Kataoka
was a Japanese actor. Born in 1903 in Gunma Prefecture, he was raised in Tokyo. His first starring role in a film was in 1923. Specializing in jidaigeki, he played the lead in various films before and during World War II. After the war, he eventually joined Toei...
. Utaemon appeared in over 300 films during his career. His son, Kin'ya Kitaōji
Kin'ya Kitaoji
is a Japanese actor.-Early life:He was born in Kyoto, son of famous jidaigeki film star Ichikawa Utaemon, and graduated from Waseda University School of Letters, Arts and Sciences Ⅱ in Tokyo.-Acting career:...
, is also a famous actor in film and television.
Selected filmography
- DokuroDokurois a 1927 black and white Japanese silent film with benshi accompaniment directed by Sentaro Shirai. This is a significant and rare film in that it depicts the tragic fate of a Christian lord who fought for his faith in the Edo period. Especially noteworthy are the final scenes in which Utaemon...
(恐苦呂, Scull) (1927) - Nishikie Edosugata Hatamoto to MachiyakkoNishikie Edosugata Hatamoto to Machiyakkois a 1939 black and white Japanese silent film with benshi accompaniment directed by Kazuo Mori. It is a cheerful period drama, sprinkled with comical scenes and tells the story of a loyal and handsome Edo period servant who fights to help his older brother marry the woman he loves...
(錦絵江戸姿 旗本と街奴, The Color Print of Edo: Hatamoto to Machiyakko) (1939) - The 47 RoninThe 47 Roninis a 1941/1942 black-and-white two-part jidaigeki Japanese film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi.The first part was originally released in Japan just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film was directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, and adapted from the play by Seika Mayama...
(元禄忠臣蔵, Genroku chūshingura) (1941/1942) - Ninkyō Shimizu-minatoNinkyo Shimizu-minatois a 1957 color Japanese film directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda .- Cast :* Utaemon Ichikawa * Hashizo Okawa * Chiezō Kataoka 片岡千恵蔵* Kinnosuke Nakamura 中村錦之助* Chiyonosuke Azuma 東千代之介* 伏見扇太郎* Ryūtarō Ōtomo 大友柳太朗* 高千穂ひづる- Note :...
(任侠清水港, Ninkyō Shimizu-minato) (1957) - The Idle Vassal: House of the Snake PrincessThe Idle Vassal: House of the Snake Princessis a 1957 color Japanese film directed by Yasushi Sasaki.It is a samurai film about Hatamoto Taikutsuotoko ....
(旗本退屈男謎の蛇姫屋敷, Hatamoto taikutsu otoko: Nazo no Hebihime yashiki) (1957) - Akō RōshiAkō Rōshiis a 1961 color Japanese film about the Forty-Seven Ronin directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda.- Cast :* Kusuo Abe as Katada* Kyōko Aoyama as Nagi* Chiyonosuke Azuma as Horibe* Shinobu Chihara as Ukibashi Dayu* Yoshiko Fujita as Ayame* Hiromi Hanazono as Sakura...
(赤穂浪士, Akō Rōshi) (1961)