Kabuki actor Nakamura Kichiemon, national treasure, dies at 77

Leading Kabuki actor Nakamura Kichiemon, who was recognized as a living national treasure and also known for his role in the historical drama "Onihei Hankacho," has died of heart failure, Shochiku Co., a producer of Kabuki performances, said Wednesday. He was 77.Kichiemon, who died at a Tokyo hospital at 6:43 p.m. Sunday, was the second son of Matsumoto Koshiro VIII, also known as Matsumoto Hakuo.Born Tatsujiro Namino, Kichiemon initially performed under the name Nakamura Mannosuke before assuming the stage name Kichiemon II in honor of his maternal grandfather who had adopted him.A native …READ FULL ARTICLE