Utaemon Ichikawa
Biography
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (46)
The Lord's spy
1964
A Prisoner in Search of Daughter
as Kumokiri Nizaemon
1963
Bloody Record of the Shinsengumi
1963
Street of Wandering Men
1963
The Mysterious Cape
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1963
Tokaido Fullhouse
1963
Showdown at Lightning Pass
as Takata Matabei Yoshitsugu
1962
Drunken Sword
1962
Otoko dokyō no ayame kasa
1962
Kisaragi Sword
as Tsukinosuke Ryûtan
1962
Knightly Advice
1962
Bored Hatamoto: The Mysterious Coral Mansion
1962
Travels of Gonkuro
1961
The Man Who Challenged 8,000,000-Koku
as Yamanouchi Iganosuke
1961
The Cave of the Vampire Bats
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1961
Samurai Knights
1961
The Ako Retainers
1961
Samurai Hawk
1961
Lord of Steel Heart
as Matabei Goto
1961
Queen of the Treasure Island
as Chusuke Yamakawa
1960
The Swordsman In The Golden Valley
1960
Lord Mito: All Star Version
1960
Ninja Assassins
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1960
Ooka Seidan: Devil Image
as Ooka Tadasuke
1960
Runway to Hell
as Sôshun Kôchiyama
1960
The Samurai Markets
as Chûsuke Yamakawa
1960
Lord of Red Banner
1960
Bored Hatamoto: Island of No Return
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1960
Road of Chivalry
1960
Bloody Battle at Dawn
1959
A Spectacular Showdown
as Sasagawa no Shigezo
1959
Bored Hatamoto: The Daimonji Conspiracy
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1959
No Stronger Swords
1959
Turbulent Highways
1959
The Unleashed Lord
1959
The 47 Masterless Samurai
1959
The Acrobats of Death
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1959
The Lost Public Funds
as Asaka Keinosuke
1958
Drenched Swallow Gonpachi
1958
Epic Crash
1958
Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1958
Eight Views of Samurai
1958
Seven from Edo
as Katsukawa
1958
Aoi Secret Book
as Uotaro Toge
1958
A Chivalrous Spirit
as Nikichi
1958
The Mansion of Intrigue
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1957
