Stage name:

Nakamura Umenosuke IV

Real name: Mitsui Teruo

Guild: Narikomaya

Line number: YODAIME (IV)

Existence: 18 February 1930 ~ 18 January 2016

Connections:

Grandfather: Nakamura Kan'emon II

Father: Nakamura Kan'emon III

Son: Nakamura Baijaku II

Career:

March 1939: he made his first appearance on stage at the Shinbashi Enbujô, receiving the name of Nakamura Umenosuke and playing the role of the sword-holder Otowaka in the dance "Kanjinchô".

December 1972: Umenosuke played for the first time the role of Sakanaya Sôgorô in the drama "Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa", which was performed during a Zenshinza tour.

December 1973: Umenosuke played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the prestigious role of Musashibô Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô".

June 1976: Umenosuke played at the National Theatre the role of Tamiya Iemon in Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan"; the role of Oiwa was played by Kawarasaki Kunitarô V.

1977: Umenosuke played the leading role of the NHK taiga (literally "big river") drama "Kajin".

December 1978: Umenosuke played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Sae Daigakunosuke in Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji".

December 1980: Umenosuke played for the first time the role of Sukeemon in the drama "Ohama Goten", which was staged at the Kabukiza.

December 1981: Umenosuke played at the National Theatre the role of Gantetsu in Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Oroku to Gantetsu"; the role of Oroku was played by Kawarasaki Kunitarô V.

August 1983: Umenosuke played at the National Theatre the role of Gonsuke in Katsu Hyôzô I's drama "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure"; his stage partners were Kawarasaki Kunitarô V and Arashi Keishi in the roles of Oshun and Shirafuji Genta.

April 1992: Umenosuke received the Matsuo Artistic Prize (Matsuo Geinô Shô) for his performance in the roles of Yashû no Tomizô and Sôgorô in Kawatake Shinshichi II's dramas "Shisen Ryô Koban no Ume-no-Ha" and "Sakanaya Sôgorô".

October 1993: Umenosuke received the 48th Artistic Prize of the Japanese Government Cultural Agency (bunkachô geijutsusai shô) for his performance in the role of Mohê in the drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri".

May 2013: Umenosuke appeared on stage for the last time, in Tôkyô at the National Theatre, where he played the role of the guard Jinnai in the drama "Ohama Goten Tsunatoyo-kyô".

18 January 2016: Umenosuke passed away.

Comments:

Nakamura Umenosuke IV was a talented and popular tachiyaku and leader of the second generation of actors of the Zenshinza troupe.

Nakamura Umenosuke IV's best roles were Shunkan ("Heike Nyogo no Shima"), Sakanaya Sôgorô ("Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa"), Mohê ("Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri"), Kumedera Danjô ("Kenuki") and Tominomori Sukeemon ("Ohama Goten").

The Nakamura Umenosuke line of actors