was a Japanese

kabuki is a classical form of Theatre of Japan, Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with Japanese traditional dance, traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes ...

actor of the Uzaemon acting lineage, also commonly known as . He was an influential actor during the Kaei through

Meiji era The was an Japanese era name, era of History of Japan, Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868, to July 30, 1912. The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feu ...

s of the Japanese imperial calendar. He is best known for his '' wagotoshi'' roles.

Lineage

Born into a well-known Kabuki acting family from Edo (present-day Tokyo), Kakitsu I was the grandson of Ichimura Uzaemon XI (十一代目市村羽左衛門), the eleventh ''

zamoto A ''zamoto'' (座元) is a manager of a kabuki theatre. Historically, the zamoto owned the theatre and was responsible for obtaining performance rights from the ''shōgun , officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during m ...

'' (owner) of Ichimura-za, a renowned Kabuki theater in Edo. His father, Ichimura Takenojō V (五代目市村竹之丞) was an influential ''

tachiyaku is a term used in the Japanese theatrical form kabuki to refer to young adult male roles, and to the actors who play those roles. Though not all ''tachiyaku'' roles are heroes, the term does not encompass roles such as villains or comic figures, ...

'' who was also a renowned ''zamoto'', being the twelfth owner of the Ichimura-za (a renowned Kabuki theater in Edo) and who was also known for his lavish and extravagant lifestyle.

Early life

Bandō Kakitsu I was born in 1847, the son of kabuki actor Ichimura Takenojō V. In November 1848, Kakitsu appeared on stage for the first time under the stage name Ichimura Takematsu III.Shōriya, Aragorō. "Bandô Kakitsu I." Kabuki21. 6 June 2008. 5 July 2008 . His father suddenly grew ill and died on August 20, 1851.Shōriya, Aragorō. "Ichimura Takenojô V." Kabuki21. 6 June 2008. 5 July 2008 .

Career

In August 1868, Kakitsu took the name Ichimura Uzaemon XIV in a traditional actor naming ceremony called a ''

shūmei ''Shūmei'' (, "name succession") are grand naming ceremonies held in kabuki theatre. Most often, a number of actors will participate in a single ceremony, taking on new stage names. These stage names, most often those of the actor's father, gr ...

''. He became the ''

'' (manager, troupe head) of the Ichimura-za. In November 1868, he produced the play ''

Kanadehon Chūshingura is an 11-act bunraku puppet play composed in 1748. It is one of the most popular Japanese plays, ranked with Zeami Motokiyo, Zeami's ''Matsukaze'', although the vivid action of ''Chūshingura'' differs dramatically from ''Matsukaze''. Medium Du ...

'', and played the roles of En'ya Hangan, Ōboshi Rikiya and Ashikaga Tadayoshi. September 1871 brought debt to the Ichimura-za too great for Kakitsu to handle, forcing him to leave the theater to Fukuchi Mohei, who changed the name to Murayama-za. Kakitsu returned in November 1871 to perform in the classic ''

Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura ''Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura'' (義経千本桜), or ''Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees'', is a Japanese play, one of the three most popular and famous in the kabuki repertoire. Originally written in 1747 for the bunraku, jōruri puppet the ...

''. Kakitsu appeared on stage for the last time in March 1893 in the drama '' Yamabiraki Meguro Shinfuji''. He died soon afterward.

Notable Roles

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bando, Kakitsu 1 Kabuki actors 1847 births 1893 deaths Tachibanaya Tachiyaku actors Zamoto People of the Meiji era 19th-century Japanese male actors