Shoes

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Gender

Male

Birthday

1904-02-11

Place of Birth

Marugame, Kagawa, Japan

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.

Known for

Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches

Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches

The story of the battles between the 3 related families Kishu, Mito, and Owari, as each vies for the shogun’s seat in the line of succession. Highlighting the series are many fights between the young lord’s Negoro ninja helpers and their mortal enemies, the Koga ninja. History comes alive with the bloody blades of the three families at war within the highest levels of government as the search for a new shogun continues!

The Bored Samurai

The Bored Samurai

The straightforward samurai of the hatamoto class, Saotome Mondonosuke, who has a crescent-shaped scar on his forehead, is known as the "Boring Samurai" because of his idleness. Whenever any incident occurs, he appears in his flashy attire and punishes the evildoers with his fighting skills....

Sanada Yukimura

Sanada Yukimura

Lord Sanada along with his deadly ninja assassins Kirigakure Saizo and Sarutobi Sasuke attempt to restore the rule of the Toyotomi during the brutal period just after the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The Diary of Chuji's Travels

The Diary of Chuji's Travels

A historical drama about the days of youth of the famous yakuza boss, the protector of ordinary people Chuji Kunisada. The film was made to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Kinya Kitaoji's acting career.

Thousand Spears of Kikuchi: Sydney Special Attack Unit

Thousand Spears of Kikuchi: Sydney Special Attack Unit

A historical drama spanning three generations, centered on the Sydney Special Attack Unit. Recommended by the Ministry of Education.

Lord of Steel Heart

Lord of Steel Heart

A Tokugawa Daimyo rebels against an his lord after the battle of Sekigahara. Samurai Matabei, a famous spear fighter and warrior, is a vassal of lord Honjo. One of Honjo's most trusted under-lords is Sanzaemon. He has designs on Matabei's fief, and he plots to kill Matabei. He finally convinces Lord Honjo of Matabei's guilt. Now Matabei must fight to survive.

Drunken Sword

Drunken Sword

Tetsunosuke, an eccentric doctor and an owner of a fencing school, takes aim against corrupt authorities.

Samurai Knights

Samurai Knights

Hida no abarenbō

Hida no abarenbō

A bold and cheerful tale that broke new ground in the historical drama genre.

The Lost Public Funds

The Lost Public Funds

Four thousand gold coins were stolen from the vault of Nijo Castle in Kyoto, which were collected as a tax to the shogun. The guard of Nijo castle Asaka Keinosuke, disguised as a komuso monk, proceeds to investigate the theft, traces of thieves lead to Edo, where Asaka goes.

Runway to Hell

Runway to Hell

When Kaneko Ichinosuke aims to avenge his father who was wrongly accused of embezzlement, the samurai Kochiyama Soshun agrees to assist.

Jiruba no Tetsu

Jiruba no Tetsu

Kokusai Mitsuyudan

Kokusai Mitsuyudan

Directed by Daisuke Ito.

The March of the Restoration

The March of the Restoration

The first film produced by Daiei.

Five Men of Edo

Five Men of Edo

During the 17th Century roving bands of hatamoto were causing trouble in the new capital city of Edo and constantly fought with the townspeople at every turn. The leader of these ruthless samruai was Mizuno Jirozaemon, who despite his high rank was in deep financial distress, thus leading to a tragedy that shook the very streets of the city.Opposing him was Banzui-in Chobei, the ‘Protector of the Weak’ who was willing to put his life on the line to save the 808 districts of Edo from the 80,000 hatamoto whose violent behavior threatened to destroy the fabric of society. Starring Bando Tsumasaburo, the first great star of the silver screen along with mega-star Ichikawa Utaemon, this is a story not to be missed. Torn from the pages of history, this true story has been told many times, but never as powerfully as this!