Real name: Mitsui Teruo

Guild: Narikomaya

Line number: YODAIME (IV)

Birthday: 18 February 1930

Connections:

Grandfather: Nakamura Kan'emon II

Father: Nakamura Kan'emon III

Son: Nakamura Baijaku II

Career:

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

December 1972: Umenosuke plays for the first time the role of Sakanaya Sôgorô in the drama "Shinsarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa", which is performed during a Zenshinza tour.

December 1973: Umenosuke plays at the Shimbashi Embujô the prestigious role of Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô".

June 1976: Umenosuke plays at the National Theater the role of Tamiya Iemon in Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan". The role of Oiwa is played by Kawarazaki Kunitarô V.

December 1978: Umenosuke plays at the Shimbashi Embujô the role of Sae Daigakunosuke in Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji".

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

December 1981: Umenosuke plays at the National Theater the role of Gantetsu in Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Oroku to Gantetsu". The role of Oroku is played by Kawarazaki Kunitarô V.

August 1983: Umenosuke plays at the National Theater the role of Gonsuke in Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure". His stage partners are Kawarazaki Kunitarô V and Arashi Keishi in the roles of Oshun and Shirafuji Genta.

April 1992: Umenosuke receives the Matsuo Artistic Prize (matsuo geinô shô) for his performance in the roles of Tomizô and Sôgorô in Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Shisen Ryô Koban no Ume no Ha".

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

Comments:

Nakamura Umenosuke is a talented tachiyaku and leader of the second generation of actors of the Zenshinza troupe.

Nakamura Umenosuke's best roles: Shunkan ("Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima"), Sakanaya Sôgorô ("Shinsarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa"), Mohei ("Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri"), Kumedera Danjô ("Kenuki") and Sukeemon ("Ohama Goten").