Utaemon Ichikawa
Acting · Born 1904-02-11 · age 95 at death · Marugame, Kagawa, Japan
Utaemon Ichikawa was a Japanese 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.
Titles
The 47 Ronin
Road of Chivalry
Seven from Edo
A Spectacular Showdown
Samurai Hawk
The 47 Masterless Samurai
Runway to Hell
Lord Mito
The Acrobats of Death
The Ako Retainers
Lord of Steel Heart
Bloody Battle at Dawn
Skull
Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute
A Color Print of Edo
Kisaragi Sword
Fencing Master
Shimizu Port of Chivalry
Lord Mito: All Star Version
Drenched Swallow Gonpachi
Five Men of Edo
Rebellion
Drunken Sword
No Stronger Swords
Street of Wandering Men
Eight Views of Samurai
The Samurai Markets
Bored Hatamoto: The Mysterious Ghost Ship
Chûshingura - Zempen: Akahokyô no maki
Travels of Lord Mito Pt.1
Shadow Over Fuji
Kojiki Taishô
The Lord's spy
Queen of the Treasure Island
Tsukigata Hanpeita
A Chivalrous Spirit
Ninja Assassins
The Mysterious Cape
Showdown at Lightning Pass
Samurai Knights
Bored Hatamoto: The Daimonji Conspiracy
Jiruba no Tetsu
A Prisoner in Search of Daughter
Tokaido Fullhouse
Knightly Advice
Travels of Gonkuro
The Cave of the Vampire Bats
The Lost Public Funds
The Unleashed Lord
Turbulent Highways
Bloody Record of the Shinsengumi
The Swordsman In The Golden Valley
Goblin Courier
The Terror of Z
Thus the Divine Wind Blows
Bored Hatamoto: The Mysterious Coral Mansion
G-men of Japan 2: Bloody Duel at Shipwreck Cape
Ooka Seidan: Devil Image
A Thousand Standards of Stone
Bored Hatamoto: Mysterious Letter of Challenge