Final answer:
Nakagami Kenji is a Japanese writer known for his novel 'The Immortal', linked with Japanese cultural identity. The Tale of Genji and its influence on art forms such as woodblock prints, manga, and anime, signify the continuous impact of storytelling in Japan, connecting to themes explored by Nakagami.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nakagami Kenji, a Japanese writer known for his novel "The Immortal," is closely linked to the discussions of Japanese national identity and culture. His works often touch upon themes of myth, history, and society, which align with the scholarly inquiry into Japan's kokutai or national community. In the realm of Japanese arts, the impact of narratives can be seen in the sustained popularity of The Tale of Genji, a classic work of Japanese literature that has inspired generations of artwork, including nineteenth-century woodblock prints that reinterpret Genji's story in modern contexts.
Japanese woodblock print artists like Katsukawa Shunsho and Utagawa Kuniyoshi have left a lasting legacy through their depictions of actors and samurai heroes. Another example is modern manga and anime creators like Eiichiro Oda and Hiromu Arakawa, who have captured imaginations worldwide with their record-breaking series. These various forms of storytelling and art have not only shaped modern entertainment but also engage with enduring cultural motifs, such as those connected to Nakagami Kenji's thematic exploration of the immortal essence in Japanese narrative tradition.