Nakamura Utaemon VI

was a Japanese kabuki performer and an artistic director of the Kabuki-za in Tokyo. He was a prominent member of a family of kabuki actors from the Keihanshin region.

Nakamura Utaemon was a stage name with significant cultural and historical connotations. The name Utaemon indicates personal status as an actor. Such a title can only be assumed after the death of a previous holder, under restrictive succession conventions.

He was considered the greatest onnagata of the post-War period, and was heralded as a "a divine messenger given to kabuki from heaven" during his naming ceremony.

Life and career Utaemon VI was the son of Nakamura Utaemon V. The actor's name was Fujio Kawamura when he was born in the sixth generation of a line of famous Kabuki actors.

Lineage of Utaemon stage names Nakamura Utaemon I (1714–1791) Nakamura Utaemon II (1752–1798) Nakamura Utaemon III (1778–1838) Nakamura Utaemon VI (1917–2001)

In a long career, he acted in many kabuki plays; but he was best known for his oyama roles.

Living National Treasure In 1968, the government of Japan designated him a Living National Treasure, which was a title acknowledging him as a "bearer of important intangible cultural assets."

2006 – ; OCLC 70233503 1993 – OCLC 054923943 1989 – OCLC 029849646 1984 – OCLC 054925804

Honors Japan Art Academy, 1963 Order of Culture, 1979 Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1996