Utaemon Ichikawa
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.
Acting
Movie
The 47 Ronin
as Tsunatoyo Tokugawa
1941
Movie
Road of Chivalry
1960
Movie
Seven from Edo
as Katsukawa
1958
Movie
A Spectacular Showdown
as Sasagawa no Shigezo
1959
Movie
Samurai Hawk
1961
Movie
The 47 Masterless Samurai
1959
Movie
Runway to Hell
as Sôshun Kôchiyama
1960
Movie
Lord Mito
1957
Movie
The Acrobats of Death
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1959
Movie
The Ako Retainers
1961
Movie
Lord of Steel Heart
as Matabei Goto
1961
Movie
Bloody Battle at Dawn
1959
Movie
Skull
as Reinosuke Ushio
1927
Movie
Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute
as Saotome Mondonosuke
1958
Movie
A Color Print of Edo
1939
Movie
Kisaragi Sword
as Tsukinosuke Ryûtan
1962
Movie
Fencing Master
1950
Movie
Shimizu Port of Chivalry
as Boss Omaeda
1957
Movie
Lord Mito: All Star Version
1960
Movie
Drenched Swallow Gonpachi
1958
Movie
Five Men of Edo
as Jurozaemon Mizuno
1951
Movie
Rebellion
as Satahiko
1957
Movie
Drunken Sword
1962
Movie
No Stronger Swords
1959