Born in Tôkyô in Asakusa the 28th of November 1886. He started his career in June 1892 as a disciple of Nakamura Tokizô I, performing as a koyaku in tabi shibai. He made his debut in Tôkyô in April 1894 at the Hongôza, where he perfomed in "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki". He joined Nakamura Kichiemon I, became nadai and received the name of Nakamura Kichinojô I in September 1918 at the Ichimuraza. He played the role of the priest Zangetsu for the first revival since 1817 of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which was entitled "Kiyomizudera Azuma Bunshô" and was staged at the Hongôza in October 1927 [more details]. He appeared on stage for the last time, in June 1957 at the Shinbashi Enbujô, where he played the roles of Gokan'ô, a kanjo and the bantô Chôkurô in "Osono Rokusa", "Mikasayama Goten" and "Hôkaibô". He died the 8th of January 1958. He was an outstanding supporting actor, nicknamed the grand bantô (Ôbantô in Japanese) as he excelled in bantô roles. He was a mainstay in the Nakamura Kichiemon Gekidan troupe (the troupe led by his master Nakamura Kichiemon I) and his best roles were Sagisaka Bannai ("Kanadehon Chûshingura"), Chôkurô ("Sumidagawa Hana no Goshozome"), Hirayama no Mushadokoro ("Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"), Mareyo ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami") and Kamaya Buhê ("Shôchikubai Yushima no Kakegaku").

The actor Nakamura Kichinojô II held this name from September 1994 to January 2014.

The actor Nakamura Kichinojô III is the current holder of the name since September 2016.