Bandō Kakitsu I

was a Japanese kabuki actor of the Uzaemon acting lineage, also commonly known as . He was an influential actor during the Kaei through Meiji eras 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 (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 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. His father suddenly grew ill and died on August 20, 1851.

Career In August 1868, Kakitsu took the name Ichimura Uzaemon XIV in a traditional actor naming ceremony called a shūmei. He became the zamoto (manager, troupe head) of the Ichimura-za.

In November 1868, he produced the play Kanadehon Chūshingura, 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.

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

Notable Roles Year Theater Play Roles Notes 1868 Ichimura-za Kanadehon Chūshingura En'ya Hangan, Ōboshi Rikiya and Ashikaga Tadayoshi Also the producer, acted in the theater he managed 1871 Nakamura-za Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura 1873 Murayama-za Taiko no Oto Chiyū Sanryaku Sakurai, Takigawa and Ukyō 1873 Nakamura-za Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijō Chūshichi The play is also commonly referred to as Kamiyui Shinza 1873 Murayama-za Hana Momiji Nori no Ongaku 1881 Shintomi-za Kumo ni Magō Ueno no Hatsuhana Lord Matsue The play is also commonly referred to as Kōchiyama 1881 Shintomi-za Tsuchigumo Minamoto no Raikō 1886 Chitose-za Mekura Nagaya Ume-ga-Kagatobi Minosuke The play is also commonly referred to as Kagatobi 1893 Ichimura-za Yamabiraki Meguro Shinfuji This was his final stage appearance