Utaemon Ichikawa

Known for ActingBorn 1904-02-11Died 1999-09-16Marugame, 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.Read more

Movies & web series

Bloody Record of the Shinsengumi

Showdown at Lightning Pass

The Lost Public Funds

Bored Hatamoto: The Mysterious Ghost Ship

Travels of Lord Mito Pt.1

Kojiki Taishô

Jiruba no Tetsu

The Terror of Z

Chûshingura - Zempen: Akahokyô no maki

A Prisoner in Search of Daughter

The Unleashed Lord

Lord Mito: All Star Version

Street of Wandering Men

Samurai Knights

The Samurai Markets

The Swordsman In The Golden Valley

Turbulent Highways

Shadow Over Fuji

Shimizu Port of Chivalry

Lord of Steel Heart

The 47 Masterless Samurai

The Lord's spy

Tokaido Fullhouse

Knightly Advice

Queen of the Treasure Island

Runway to Hell

No Stronger Swords

A Color Print of Edo

A Chivalrous Spirit

Rebellion

Tsukigata Hanpeita

The 47 Ronin

Drenched Swallow Gonpachi

A Spectacular Showdown

Samurai Hawk

Skull

The Mysterious Cape

Drunken Sword

The Ako Retainers

The Cave of the Vampire Bats

Ninja Assassins

Road of Chivalry

Bored Hatamoto: The Daimonji Conspiracy

Eight Views of Samurai

Five Men of Edo

Goblin Courier

The Acrobats of Death

Fencing Master