Nakamura Utaemon I

Nakamura Utaemon I, a caricature published in Osaka in 1780

Nakamura Utaemon I (中村歌右衛門 (初代)^?, 1714–1791) was a Japanese kabuki performer. He was the progenator of a family of kabuki actors from the Keihanshin region. ^[1] He was the son of a provincial doctor. As a youth, he decided to join a troupe of actors; and this was the beginning of a long career.^[2]

Nakamura Utaemon was a stage name with significant cultural and historical connotations.^[3]

In 1782, Utaemon presented the name Utaemon II to a favored apprentice; but the name was later retrieved (or abandoned) in 1790. Then the name was bestowed on his son, who kept it.^[4] Utaemon III was the natural son of Nakamura Utaemon I.^[2]

In the conservative Kabuki world, stage names are passed from father to son in formal system which converts the kabuki stage name into a mark of accomplishment.^[5]

Lineage of Utaemon stage names

• Nakamura Utaemon I (1714–1791) ^[2]
• Nakamura Utaemon II (1752-1798) ^[4]
• Nakamura Utaemon III (1778–1838) ^[1]
• Nakamura Utaemon IV (1798–1852) ^[1]
• Nakamura Utaemon V (1865–1940) ^[1]
• Nakamura Utaemon VI (1917–2001) ^[6]

See also

• Shūmei

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric et al. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia, p. 691. at Google Books
2. ^ ^{a b c} Leiter, Samuel L. (2006). Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre, pp. 263-264. at Google Books
3. ^ Kurkup, James. "Nakamura Utaemon VI," The Independent (London). April 6, 2001.
4. ^ ^{a b} Leiter, Samuel L. (2002). A Kabuki Reader: History and Performance, p. 78 at Google Books
5. ^ Scott, Adolphe C. (1999). The Kabuki Theatre of Japan, p. 159. at Google Books
6. ^ Strom, Stephanie. Nakamura Utaemon VI, 84, International Star of Kabuki", New York Times. April 4, 2001.

References

• Leiter, Samuel L. (2006). Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. 10-ISBN 0810855275; 13-ISBN 9780810855274; OCLC 238637010
• __________. ( 2002). A Kabuki Reader: History and Performance. 10-ISBN 0765607042/13-ISBN 9780765607041; 10-ISBN 0765607050/13-ISBN 9780765607058; OCLC 182632867
• Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 10-ISBN 0-674-01753-6; 13-ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 48943301
• Scott, Adolphe Clarence. (1955). The Kabuki Theatre of Japan. London: Allen & Unwin. OCLC 622644114

Persondata
Name	Nakamura, Utaemon I
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1714
Place of birth
Date of death	1791
Place of death