Seishi Nagatsuka

Nagatsuka

Heritage and Innovation

Ichikawa Ennosuke IV

(Ichikawa Kamejiro )

When I suggested to Kame-chan, 'How about trying a jump?' he effortlessly leaped into the air, undeterred by the heavy wig and kimono. And just as I clicked the shutter, he seemed to know the exact moment, tossing his head back so his mane spread out in mid-air. After taking one or two shots, he quickly went back to the stage.

Many actors need to focus intensely before a performance, to the point where the atmosphere can become quite tense, but not him. He had already prepared everything within himself, and even before his cue, there was no tension in his demeanor.

I could tell he was an actor without any hesitation in his craft.

(From an interview with SBS in 2023.)

About

Born in 1942, Seishi Nagatsuka is a renowned photographer, known for his work on numerous advertising campaigns, particularly in the automotive industry, where he is recognized as one of Japan's leading photographers. He has received numerous awards throughout his career.

In 2002, he began photographing Ichikawa Kamejiro, a kabuki actor, focusing exclusively on his roles within the world of kabuki. Kamejiro, who would later be known as Ichikawa Ennosuke IV, had started to carve out his own unique path within the traditional kabuki scene. Over the next decade, Nagatsuka captured nearly every one of Kamejiro’s performances, earning his complete trust.

In the late 1990s, Nagatsuka moved from Tokyo to the foothills of Mount Fuji, where he built a warm and inviting home using highly skilled, professional-level craftsmanship. The house features a vast open studio and blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings. He now enjoys a life surrounded by nature, living with his beloved wife and their cherished dog.