was a Japanese actor, kabuki performer and costume designer. He was a so-called Living National Treasure.
Nakamura Kichiemon was a formal kabuki stage name. The actor's grandfather first appeared using the name in 1897, and Nakamura Kichiemon I continued to use this name until his death. Kichiemon I was the maternal grandfather of Kichiemon II.
In the conservative Kabuki world, stage names are passed from father to son in a formal system which converts the kabuki stage name into a mark of accomplishment. In choosing to be known by the same stage name as his grandfather, the living kabuki performer honors his family relationships and tradition.
Nakamura was born as Tatsujirà  Namino in Kà Âjimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. His elder brother is Matsumoto Kà Âshirà  IX. His father was Ichikawa Somegorà  V, later known as Matsumoto Kà Âshirà  VIII, and finally as Matsumoto Hakuà  I. His mother was Seiko Fujima, Nakamura Kichiemon I's daughter and only child. According to Kichiemon II himself, his grandfather was "furious" and could not accept that his only child was a girl (because in Kabuki there are no actresses it meant that he could not give his name to his daughter), and treated her like a boy during her childhood. As a result, when she got married, Seiko promised her father that she would have at least two sons: the first would have carried his husband's traditions, while the second would have carried his name. She kept her promise and gave to adoption Kichiemon II to his grandfather. Unlike the most of Kabuki actors, who are only formally adopted when joining an acting family, he was legally adopted by his grandfather.
He attended Waseda University. His yagà  is "Harimaya" and his crest is the ageha-no-chà  butterfly of the Taira clan.
Active in kabuki and television, Kichiemon is famous in the role of Musashibà  Benkei, whom he has portrayed on stage in Kanjinchà  and Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura. He also played the title character in the NHK jidaigeki series Musashibà  Benkei. Another heroic role was à Âboshi Yuranosuke (the historical à Âishi Kuranosuke) in Kanadehon Chà «shingura, the story of the Forty-seven Ronin.
He assumed the television role of Hasegawa Heizà Â("Onihei") in the Shà Âtarà  Ikenami series Onihei Hankachà Â. It ran through nine series, from 1989 to 2001, and has recurred in short series until 2016. His father had previously played Onihei.
He died on 28 November 2021, at the age of 77.
Nakamura's published writings encompass 25 works in 34 publications in 3 languages and 543 library holdings.