NAKAMURA UTAEMON VI (中村歌右衛門)
01/20/1917 - 03/31/2001

aka NAKAMURA SHIKAN VI (中村芝翫)
aka NAKAMURA FUKUSUKE VI (中村福助) (Narikomaya)

                   
Onoe Baikô VII (尾上梅幸) as Yasuke (弥助)
 
Nakamura Shikan VI (中村芝翫) as Osato (お里)

Play: Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (義経千本桜)
Performance Place: Tôkyō Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 02/1948
Print Date: 02/1948?
Artist: Ueno Tadamasa (上野忠雅)
Series: Tô Kyôgen Kabuki Nishikie (当狂言歌舞伎錦絵)
Image courtesy of a Private Collector

Nakamura Shikan VI (中村芝翫) as
Takiyasha-hime ( 瀧夜又姫)
 
Ichikawa Ebizô IX (市川海老蔵) as
Ôya no Tarô Mitsukuni (大宅太郎光國)
           
Play: Shinobi Yoru Koi no Kusemono (忍夜戀曲者)
Performance Place: Mitsukoshi Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 07/1948
Print Date: 07/1948?
Artist: Sasajima Kihei (笹島喜平)
Series: Shichigatsu Kyôgen Mitsukoshi Gekijô
Hanga Ko-Shû (七月狂言 三越劇場 板画小集))
Personal Collection
 
 
 

Nakamura Shikan VI (中村芝翫) as
Taema-hime (絶間姫)
 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII (松本幸四郎) as
Narukami Jônin (鳴神上人)

Plays: Narukami (鳴神)
Performance Place: Misono-za, Nagoya
Performance Date: 05/1950
Print Date: 05/03/50
Artist: Ueno Tadamasa (上野忠雅)
Medium: Woodblock printed program (back cover)
Personal Collection
 
 
  

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子)

Play: Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji (京鹿子娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/1951 - 05/1951
Print Date: 07/1951
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Series: Shinpan Butai no Sugata-e
[New Version of Figures on the Stage]
(新版舞台之姿絵)
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子)

Play: Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji (京鹿子娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/1951 - 05/1951
Print Date: 1952
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note: To the extent that a keyblock was used for
this print, it is a different keyblock that that used
for the 1951 version.
 
 
 
 
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子)

Play: Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji (京鹿子娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/1951
Print Date: 10/1988
Series: Shinpan Butai no Sugata-e
[New Version of Figures on the Stage]
(新版舞台之姿絵)
Personal Collection

Note: This is a later printing in a smaller sizemade
under the auspices of the Kushigatachô Chamber
of Commerce and Industry.
 
 
  

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子)

Play: Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji (京鹿子娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/1951 - 05/1951
Print Date: 1952
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Shôwa Butai Sugata (昭和舞台姿 その一) (#4)
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: Utaemon VI first performed the role of Hanako in
connection with his shûmei at the Kabuki-za  in April and
May of 1951.  (He had, however, played the role previously
under the names of Nakamura Shikan VI and  Nakamura Fukusuke VI.)
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Yukihime (雪姫)

Play: Kinkakuji (金閣寺), Act IV of
Gion Sairei Shinkôki (祇園祭礼信仰記)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/1951
Print Date: 1951
Artist: Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水)
Image courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Yatsuhashi (八ツ橋)

Play: Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame (籠釣瓶花街酔醒)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/1953
Print Date: 1954
Artist: Ota Gatô (太田雅光)
Series: Gendai Butai Geika (現代舞台芸花) (#2)
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子)

Play: Musume Dôjôji (娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/1953
Print Date: c. 1970s
Artist: Hasegawa Noboru (長谷川昇)
Personal Collection (#46/100)

Note: Utaemon VI also performed Musume Dôjôji in Tokyo at the
Shinbashi Enbujô in March 1953 and at the Kabuki-za in April-May 1951, so it is
conceivable that the original painting underlying this print was based on one
of those performances.
 
 
 

                 
[Hell Screen] Jigoku Hen (地獄変)
 
Play: Jigoku Hen (地獄変)
Performance Place: Kabukii-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 12/05/53
Print Date:
Personal Collection
 
Note: The cast of this production included Nakamura Kanzaburō XVII
(中村勘三郎) as Eshi Yoshihide (絵師良秀), Matsumoto Kōshirō VIII
(松本幸四郎) as Horikawa Daijin (堀河大臣), Nakamura Utaemon VI
(中村歌右衛門)  as  Yoshihide Musume Ro 艸 (良秀娘露艸) and as
Tsuyukusa (露草), Nakamura Shikaku II (中村 芝鶴) as ? (    ), Nakamura
Matagorō II (中村又五郎) as Deshi Hanada Waka, Morita Kan'ya XIV
(守田 勘弥) as Deshi Fudeo (弟子筆雄), and Sawamura Sōjūrō VIII
(沢村宗十郎) as Midai Aoi no Kata (御台葵の方).
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Ôgiya Yûgiri (扇屋夕霧)

Play: Kuruwa Bunshô (廓文章)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/02/54
Print Date: 12/1956
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子)

Play: Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji
(京鹿子娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Shinbashi Enbujô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/03/55
Print Date:  11/1955
Artist: Ohashi Gekkô (大橋月皎)
Personal Collection
 
Note: Utaemon VI performed this role at his
shûmei at the Kabuki-za in April and May 1951. 
He also performed the role at the Shinbashi
Enbujô in March 1953, and at the Kabuki-za in
November 1953.  It is possible that this print
reflects one of those performances.
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Koshô Yayoi (小姓彌生; 小姓弥生)

Play:  [Shunkyô] Kagami Jishi ([春興]鏡獅子)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/56
Print Date: 03/1957
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection
 
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Ama (蜑)

Play: Shiokumi (汐汲)
Performance Place: Shinbashi Enbujô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 08/03/57
Print Date: 08/1957 or later
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note: A similar but more detailed version of this
design is shown in the 2002 and 1991 Shunsen
catalogs (and appears to be a painting, not hanga-
genga).
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Yodo no Kata (淀方; 淀の方)
 
Play:  Hototogisu Kojô no Rakugetsu
(沓手鳥孤城落月)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/01/59
Print Date: 1959
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Hand-colored keyblock print (版画源画)
Personal Collection

Note: A similar but  more detailed version of this
design is shown in the 2002 and 1991 Shunsen
catalogs (and appears to be a painting).
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Hyôgo-ya Yatsuhashi (兵庫屋八ツ橋)

Play: Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame (籠釣瓶花街酔醒)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/1961
Print Date: 04/1961?
Artist: Mitsui Atsuo (三井淳生)
Personal Collection

Note: Utaemon VI's troupe who performed at the Kabuki-za in April
1961 also performed at the Vakhtangov Theatre, Moscow, between
July 3-16, 1961.  This particular copy was given as a present to the
U.S.S.R. Minister of Education at some point during the tour. 
However, seeing as all of Mitsui Atsuo's other actor prints were
made in 1957, it is conceivable that this print could have originally
been made circa February 1956 or January 1958 in connection with
Utaemon VI's performances of Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame at the
Kabuki-za.  It is also possible that this design was reissued in 1961
in connection with the 1961 revival.  See also the entries for 1966
and 1981 for variant print designs.
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Hyôgo-ya Yatsuhashi (兵庫屋八ツ橋)

Play: Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame (籠釣瓶花街酔醒)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 04/04/66?
Artist: Mitsui Atsuo (三井淳生)
Personal Collection (#11/45)
 
Note: See the entries for 1961 and 1981 showing variant prints.
This color variant bears an hand-inscribed date of April 4, 1966,
and I have seen other copies with the same date.  It is possible
that it was reissued in connection with a revival of Kagotsurube
Sato no Eizame at the Kabuki-za in May 1964 that starred
Utaemon VI.  However, as certain other Atsuo designs were also
reissued in the mid-1960s, its publication likely was part of a
general undertaking to reissue Atsuo's prints.

                 
Jitsukawa Enjaku III (實川延若) as Ôboshi Rikiya (大星力弥)

Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Tonase, wife of Honzô (本蔵妻戸無瀬)

Play: Yamashina Kankyo (山科閑居), Act IX of
Kanadehon Chûshingura (山科閑居)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/1978
Print Date: 07/1978
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Personal Collection

Note: A trial work, not publicly sold.  The first ten printed were destroyed,
and then a second ten were printed.
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Hanako (花子)

Play: Kyôkanoko Musume Dôjôji (京鹿子娘道成寺)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/1978
Print Date: ?
Artist: Menjo? Sachiko (毛受幸子)
Publication: Nigao-e Kabuki Ehon
(似顔絵歌舞伎絵本)
Medium: Lithographic reproduction of artwork
Personal Collection

Note: Utaemon VI performed this role in Tokyo fifteen times
between April 1951 and April 1978.  It is possible that this
print reflects one of those prior performances
 .

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Ama Matsukaze (海女松風)

Play: Suma no Utsushi-e (須磨の写絵)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 10/02/78
Print Date: 10/10/78
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits I (Design 3)]
Daiichi-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 3
(第一期大首絵シリーズの3)
Image courtesy of Tsuruya-koukei.com (ed. 36)
 
Note: Color variants of this print exist.
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Hannyo (斑女)

Play: Sumidagawa (隅田川)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/1981
Print Date: 01/11/81
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits II (Design 4)]
Daini-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 4
(第二期大首絵シリーズの4)
Personal Collection (#7/36)

Note: A larger version of the actor's face was used for
Reminiscences II (01/2000).
 
 
 

                 
Reminiscences II (思い出 II)

Print Date:  01/2000
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Image courtesy of Tsuruya-koukei.com

Note: This print contains larger versions of
the following actors' faces (left to right
starting at the top row):

1. Ichikawa Ennosuke III (市川猿之助) as Hanakawado Sukeroku (花川戸助六) in
Kurotegumi Kuruwa no Tatehiki (黒手組曲輪達引), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (07/02/1982).
2. Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as Hannyo (斑女) in
Sumidagawa (隅田川), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (01/1981).
3. Onoe Shôroku II (尾上松縁) as Musashibô Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶) in
Kanjinchô (勧進帳), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (11/1980).
4. Kataoka Nizaemon XIII (片岡仁左衛門) as Ôboshi Yuranosuke (大星由良之助) in
Kanadehon Chûshingura (仮名手本忠臣蔵), Kokuritsu Gekijô, Tokyo (10/04/1986).
5. Nakamura Kanzaburô XVlI (中村勘三郎) as Danjô Imôto Yashio (弾正妹八汐) in
Sendai Hagi (先代萩), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (05/01/1983)
6. Ichimura Uzaemon XVII (市村羽左衛門) as Fujioka Tôjûrô (藤岡藤十郎) in
Shisenryô (四千両), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (02/01/1983).
7. Bandô Tamasaburô V (坂東玉三郎) as Yûjo Okaru (遊女おかる) in
Gion Ichiriki Jaya (祇園一力茶屋), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (03/02/1988).
8. Jitsukawa Enjaku III (實川延若) as Hyakushô Kyûsaku (百姓久作) in
Nozakimura (野崎村), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (01/1989).
9. Onoe Kikugorô VII (尾上菊五郎) as Benten Kozô (弁天小僧) in
Benten Musume Meo no Shiranami (弁天娘女男白浪), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (01/02/1995).
10. Matsumoto Kôshirô IX (松本幸四郎) as Matsuômaru (松王丸) in
Terakoya (寺子屋), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (03/02/1997).
11. Sawamura Tanosuke VI (澤村田之助) as Mitsuhide Tsuma Satsuki (光秀妻皐月) in
Kikyô no Hataage (桔梗旗揚), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (05/03/1997).
12. Nakamura Ganjirô III (中村鴈治郎) as Kamiya Jihê (紙屋治兵衛) in
Shigure no Kotatsu (時雨の炬燵), Kabuki-za, Tokyo (01/02/1996).
 
 
 

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Hyôgo-ya Yatsuhashi (兵庫屋八ツ橋)

Play: Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame (籠釣瓶花街酔醒;
篭釣瓶花街酔醒)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 09/1981
Artist: Mitsui Atsuo (三井淳生)
Personal Collection (#55/100)
 
Note: See the entry for 1961 and 1966 showing similar prints..
This color variant bears an inscribed date of September 1981 and
is signed in gold by the actor and sealed by him in read.   It is
possible that it was reissued to commemorate a revival of
Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame at the Kabuki-za in September 1980
that starred Utaemon VI, or some intervening regional production.

                   
Edition number slip  for preceding print (#55/100)

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Hyôgo-ya Yatsuhashi (兵庫屋八ツ橋)

Play: Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame (籠釣瓶花街酔醒;
篭釣瓶花街酔醒)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 09/1981
Artist: Mitsui Atsuo (三井淳生)
Personal Collection
 
Note: This appears to be a printer's proof of the 1981 variant, as it
is not numbered, and is not signed or sealed by the actor.

                   
Nakamura Utaemon VI (村歌右衛門) as
Togakushiyama no Kijo (戸隠山の鬼女)


Play: Momijigari (紅葉狩)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/1982
Print Date: 05/1982
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits III (Design 2)]
Daisan-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 2
(第三期大首絵シリーズの2)
Personal Collection (#6/27)

Note: 1 copy from the edition of 27 was destroyed by the artist.
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Shikan VII (中村芝翫) as
Ukyô Tsuma Okinoi (右京妻沖の井)

Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Menoto Masaoka (乳人政岡)

Play: Sendai Hagi (先代萩)
[Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)]
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/01/83
Print Date: 05/1983
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits III (Design 19)]
Daisan-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 19
 (第三期大首絵シリーズの19)
Personal Collection (#20/36)

Note: 7 copies from the edition of  were destroyed by the artist.
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門)  as
Honzô Tsuma Tonase (本蔵妻戸無瀬)

Play: Yamashina Kankyo (本蔵妻戸無瀬),
Act 9 of Kanadehon Chushingura
(仮名手本忠臣蔵; 假名手本忠臣蔵)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/01/84
Print Date: 11/1984
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits IV (Design 7)]
Daishi-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 7
(第三期大首絵シリーズの7)
Personal Collection (#36/45)
 
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Keisei Chitosedayû (傾城千歳太夫)

Play: Kuruwa Sanbasô (廓三番叟)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/1989
Print Date: 03/1989
Artist: Tsuruya Kokei (弦屋光溪)
Series: [Bust Portraits VII (Design 2)]
Dainana-ki Ôkubi-e Shirîzu no 2
(第七期大首絵シリーズの2)
Image courtesy of Tsuruya-koukei.com
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Miuraya Agemaki (三浦屋揚巻)

Play: Sukeroku (助六), presumably Sukeroku Yukari no
Edo Zakura (助六所縁江戸櫻; 助六由縁江戸桜)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 05/1997
Artist: Paul Binnie
Print Title: Utaemon - Agemaki (歌右衛門 - 揚巻)
Personal Collection (#13/100)

Note:  This print would seem to have been based on a
special gala performance or a broadcast recording of
Utaemon VI's performance.  Utaemon IV's last regular
performance as Agemaki prior to the creation of this
print that I could find was at the Minami-za, Kyoto, in
December 1985.  His other prior performances include
those at the Kabuki-za, Tokyo, in June 1985, November
1973, November 1969, April 1966, April-May 1962,
November 1958, and January 1955.
 
 

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Miuraya Agemaki (三浦屋揚巻)

Play: Sukeroku (助六), presumably Sukeroku Yukari no
Edo Zakura (助六所縁江戸櫻; 助六由縁江戸桜)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 05/1997
Artist: Paul Binnie
Print Title: Utaemon - Agemaki (歌右衛門 - 揚巻)
Personal Collection (#14/100)

Note:  See the note to previous entry.  The commercial numbered edition
usually lacks shomenzuri (burnishing) of a geometric pattern on the
pink collar.  It is, however, present on certain test proofs and on at least
this copy of the numbered edition.

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Keisei Umegawa (傾城梅川)

Nakamura Ganjirô III (中村鴈治郎) as
Kameya Chūbei (亀屋忠兵衛)

Play: Ninokuchi-mura (新口村), Act II of
Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai (恋飛脚大和往来)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Artist: Paul Binnie
Print Date:  05/1997- 01/1998
Print Title: Utaemon to Ganjirô - Ninokuchi mura
(歌右衛門 と鴈治郎 - 新口村)
Image courtesy of Binniecatalogue.com
Personal Collection (#3/100)

Note:  This print would seem to have been based on a special
gala performance or else is an imagined composite design. 
There is otherwise no known regular performance that featured
both Utaemon VI and Ganjirô III in these roles at the same time.
Utaemon VI's last regular performance as Umegawa that I could
find was at the Kabuki-za, Tokyo, in January 1985.  Ganjirô III,
however, performed the role of Chūbei during Binnie's time in
Japan in a production at the Kabuki-za in November 1994
(opposite Nakamura Matsue V).
 
 
 

               
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as 
Hannyo-no-mae (班女の前)

Play: Sumidagawa (隅田川)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Menjo? Sachiko (毛受幸子)
Publication: Nigao-e Kabuki Ehon
(似顔絵歌舞伎絵本)
Medium: Lithographic reproduction of artwork
Personal Collection
 
Note: Utaemon VI performed this role in Tokyo fourteen
times between July 1953 and October 1991.

                 
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Masaoka (政岡)

Play: Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Menjo? Sachiko (毛受幸子)
Publication: Nigao-e Kabuki Ehon
(似顔絵歌舞伎絵本)
Medium: Lithographic reproduction of artwork
Personal Collection
 
Note: Utaemon VI performed this role in Tokyo nine times
between December 1953 and December 1988.
 
 
 
 

                 
Onoe Shôroku II (尾上松緑) as 
Hidari Jingorô (左甚五郎 )
      
Nakamura Utaemon VI (中村歌右衛門) as
Kyô Ningyô (京人形)
           
Play: Kyô Ningyô (京人形)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: ?
Artist: Yamamoto Hisashi (山本ひさし)
Medium: Woodblock printed senshafuda
Personal Collection
 
Note: I have been unable to find a performance
by both of these actors in the same play at the
same time.