The Kabuki Actor

"Kabuki, as dramatic art, gives expression to the complexities of human nature and society"1, but it is the actor rather than the play itself that is "the absolute focus"2 of the performance and the audience's attention.

1 “Actor, Role, and Character: Their Multiple Interrelationships in Kabuki” by Barbara E. Thornbury appearing in A Kabuki Reader: History and Performance, Samuel L. Leiter, ed., M.E. Sharpe, 2002, p. 236.

2 “Kabuki: Signs, Symbols, and the Hieroglyphic Actor” by Leonard C. Pronko appearing in A Kabuki Reader: History and Performance, Samuel L. Leiter, ed., M.E. Sharpe, 2002. p. 241.

A Tough Act

Source: The Kabuki Theatre of Japan, A.O. Scott, George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1955, p. 157.

The kabuki theater "forces the most rigid discipline upon the actor who will face hard work, hard criticism and hard living in the pursuit of his career."   The aspiring actor must undergo long years of training and, to succeed, will have "to recreate a stage character in a traditional form, but yet have a subtle enough personality to give it life and spirit and not make it mere flat repetition."  If "he attains a mastery of his craft and is accepted by the hierarchy of the profession he must then stand trial before his audience in a way that no other actors do…"  

The profession of the kabuki actor is hereditary and, with very few exceptions, kabuki players are connected by blood ties to the theater in some form or another.  Most actors are descended either directly or by marriage from acting families with long lineages. 

A Tough Audience

"Going to the theatre was [like] going to a ball game except that one rooted for an actor rather than an athlete or team."1 The kabuki audience "knew the rules thoroughly" and focused on the technique of the actor and his interpretation and then applied "a mental criticism to his performance in the light of the masters who have held the name before him."2 

1 The Kabuki Theatre of Japan, A.O. Scott, George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1955, p. 157.

2 A Kabuki Reader: History and Performance, Samuel L. Leiter, ed., M.E. Sharpe, 2002, p. xxiii

The Naming Convention

The Kabuki Theatre of Japan, A.O. Scott, George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1955, p. 157, 159.

"Once an actor has achieved professional standing he is known to the public by a stage name in itself hereditary, which has been passed on from generation to generation, and it is this which condemns him to a test peculiar in its severity before he can hope to attain a minimum of appreciation."

"An actor’s name...consist[s] of three parts, for example Nakamura Utaemon VI. The first name is the theatrical family to which the actor belongs and to which he generally owes his training and professional debut, although sometimes an actor has been adopted into another theatrical family, whose name he assumes, later in his career.  The second name, Utaemon, indicates personal status as an actor. Such a title can only be assumed after the death of a previous holder, under a succession system which jealously guards the reputation of actors’ titles. The Roman numeral at the end of the name shows the generation so that the present Nakamura Utaemon is the sixth actor to bear the title since it was initiated." 

The Actors in the Collection's Kabuki Theater and Portrait Prints

Arashi Kangorō 嵐冠五郎 (active c. 1863)

Source: website Kabuki 21 https://www.kabuki21.com/akangoro.php

Possibly Arashi Kangorō II. (d. 1868).
Date of birth unknown. Disciple of Arashi Kanjūrō I, he was recorded as a koyaku actor performing at the Moritaza in the 11th lunar month of 1808. His first stage name was Arashi Mankichi II. He took the name of Arashi Kanzō in the 11th lunar month of 1816 at the Nakamuraza. His rank in the 1817 Edo hyōbanki, tachiyaku section, was jō (superior) [visual]. Arashi Kanzō and his master Arashi Kanjūrō I respectively took the names of Arashi Izaburō II and Arashi Kankurō III in the 11th lunar month of 1841 at the Kawarasakiza. Then, he took the name of Arashi Kangorō II in the 8th lunar month of 1842. His rank in the 1860 Edo hyōbanki, jitsuaku section, was jō-jō (superior - superior) [visual]. He was active up to the end of the Edo period. He died in 1868.

Azuma Tōzō 7 東藤蔵 七代目 (1904 to October 1930)

Source: https://www.kabuki21.com/atozo.php#t1

A koshibai actor, who was born in 1903 and died in October 1930, held the name of Azuma Tōzō. Sometimes seen listed as Azuma Tōzō generation "5.7".

Bandō Hikosaburō V 坂東彦三郎 五代目 (1832 ~ 13 October 1877)

Sources: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/hikosaburo5.php and Global Performing Arts Database http://www.glopad.org/pi/en/record/person/1002011

Stage names: Bandō Hikosaburō V, Bandō Takesaburō I, Bandō Tsurunosuke I

Other name: Bandō Shinsui V

Nickname: Meijin Hikosaburō (Hikosaburō the expert)

Hikosaburō V came from a family of carpenters living in the Asakusa area of Edo.  He was adopted by the actor Bandō Hikosaburō IV (1800-1873) in 1840 and took the name Bandō Tsurunosuke.He first appeared on stage at Nakamura-za Theatre in November 1842. He changed his name into Bandō Takesaburō at Kawarazaki-za Theatre in January 1846. Then he took the name Bandō Hikosaburō V at Ichimura-za Theatre in March 1856.

Bandō Hikosaburō V was an outstanding actor, able to play tachiyaku, onnagata or katakiyaku roles, in both jidaimono and sewamono. His forte were the great Gidayū Kyōgen roles.  He was a star of the first half of the Meiji era and had a strong artistic influence on Onoe Kikugorō V, the future star of the second half of the Meiji era. He unfortunately died too early, at the age of 45.

His rivalry with Nakamura Shikan IV was one of the hottest in Kabuki history: "So nearly matched in ability were Shikan and Hikosaburō, with but two years' difference in their ages, that they were pitted against each other, and their patrons often indulged in fights over them. During a performance, when these actors were playing together, they came through the audience by way of the two hanamichi, the one to the right of the stage a mere footpath, that to the left a platform that was in reality a continuation of the stage proper. They quarreled as to who should take the main hanamichi, and the dispute waxed so hot that they finally drew lots to settle the matter." (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")

Bandō Kakitsu I 坂東家橘 初代（ばんどう かきつ）(1847–March 18, 1893)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kakitsu1.php

Stage names: Bandō Kakitsu I, Ichimura Kakitsu V, Ichimura Uzaemon XIV, Ichimura Takematsu III

Bandō Kakitsu I was a Meiji tachiyaku, who excelled in wagotoshi roles. He was also the last zamoto of the Ichimuraza.

Bandō Kamezō I 坂東亀蔵 初代 (1800-1873)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kamezo1.php

Stage names: Bandō Kamezō I, Bandō Hikosaburō IV, Ichimura Kamesaburō, Ichimura Takesaburō

Other name: Bandō Shinsui IV

The actor Bandō Kamezō I's haimyō was Shinsui and, although he never officially held the name of Bandō Shinsui IV, he was considered as the fourth actor of this line.

Bandō Kamezō I was a talented and popular tachiyaku, an outstanding dancer, who excelled in nimaime (at the beginning of his career), budōgoto and jitsugotoshi roles, then in jitsuaku and oyajigata roles in his latter years.

Bandō Kichiya I 坂東吉弥 初代 (1846 ~ 11 September 1873)) (See Bandō Mitsugorō VI)

The actor Bandō Mitsugorō VI held the name of Bandō Kichiya I from the 5th lunar month of 1850 to the 4th lunar month of 1856.

Bandō Mitsugorō IV 坂東三津五郎 四代目 (1802-1863)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/mitsugoro.php

Stage names: Morita Kan'ya XI, Bandō Mitsugorō IV, Bandō Minosuke II

Other name: Morita Zekō

The actor Morita Kan'ya XI (1802-1863) held the name of Bandō Mitsugorō IV from March 1832 to October 1850.

Morita Kan'ya XI was both a tachiyaku (actor specialized in male roles) and the zamoto (kabuki performance promoter) of the Moritaza (from 1856 to 1863). He was tall, handsome and, as an actor, excelled in sewamono (domestic dramas dealing with the lives of commoners). He was also a talented jitsuaku (evil villian) and an outstanding dancer.

In his Mitsugorō years, he was both a stage partner and a rival (for the title of Edo's best tachiyaku) of Nakamura Shikan II, imitating the glorious rivalry of Bandô Mitsugorō III and Nakamura Utaemon III.

Bandō Mitsugorō VI 坂東三津五郎 六代目 (1846 ~ 11 September 1873)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/mitsugoro6.php

Stage names: Bandō Mitsugorō VI, Bandō Kichiya I

Nicknames: Aba Mitsu ("pockmarked Mitsu"); Kichiya Mitsugorō

Connections: Father: Bandō Shūka I; Adopted son: Bandō Shūka II

In the 5th lunar month of 1850 he makes his first appearance on stage at the Nakamuraza, where he receives the name of Bandō Kichiya I and plays the role of Kuzu-no-Ha's child in the classic "Ashiya Dōman Ôuchi Kagami".

In the 2nd lunar month of 1851 he plays the role of the kamuro (young girl attendant for high-ranking courtesan) Katsumi in the premiere at the Ichimuraza of Sakurada Jisuke III's Kiyomoto-based dance "Akegarasu Hana no Nureginu", commonly called "Urazato Tokijirō".

3rd lunar month of 1855: his father Bandō Shūka I dies.

Bandô Mitsugorō VI was a talented and promising wakaonnagata and the worthy heir of his outstanding father Bandô Shūka I. Unfortunately he died young at the age of 27 in 1873.

Bandō Mitsugorō VI was in fact Bandō Mitsugorō V during his career but the Kabuki world decided to give posthumously this prestigious name to his father, who became the fifth of the line and his son the sixth.

Bandō Sanpachi V 坂東三八 五代目 (1838-1891)

Source: https://www.kabuki21.com/sampachi.php and wikipedia https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9D%82%E6%9D%B1%E4%B8%89%E5%85%AB

The actor Bandō Kitsujūrō II held the name of Bandō Sanpachi V from the 3rd lunar month of 1860 to July 1879.

Bandō Shinsui IV 坂東薪水 四代目 (1800-1873) (See Bandō Kamezō I)

The actor Bandō Kamezō I's haimyō was Shinsui and, although he never officially held the name of Bandō Shinsui IV, he was considered as the fourth actor of this line.

Bandō Shūchō II 坂東秀調 二代目 (1848-1901)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/shucho2.php

The actor Bandō Shūchō II held this name from February 1884 to September 1901.

Stage names: Bandō Shūchō II, Bandō Shūchō, Ichikawa Yonejūrō III, Ichikawa Yonemaru

Other name: Yoshimatsu

Real name: Mizuta Yoshijirō

Nickname: Sakasa Hyōtan ("the upside-down gourd")

Bandō Shūchō II was not a good-looking actor and his diction was not great but he nevertheless succeeded in making a great career as an onnagata. He excelled in the roles of sewamono house wives. His stage partners were the best Meiji tachiyaku like Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, Onoe Kikugorō V or Ichikawa Sadanji I.

Bandō Shūka I 坂東しうか 初代 (1813 ~ 6 March 1855)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://kabuki21.com/shuka1.php

Stage names: Bandō Shūka I, Bandō Tamasaburō I

Others names:  Bandō Mitsugorō V, Bandō Tamanosuke

Connections:  Adoptive father: Bandō Mitsugorō III , Son: Bandō Mitsugorō VI , Adopted son: Bandō Minosuke IV , Disciples: Bandō Kashiku, Bandō Matahachi (?)

He is adopted by Bandō Mitsugorō III and given the name Bandō Tamanosuke.  In November 1824, he appears on stage for the first time, taking the name of Bandō Tamasaburō I at the Ichimuraza. In November 1839, he takes the name of Bandō Shūka I at the Ichimuraza. He was posthumously given the name Bandō Mitsugorō V

Bandō Shūka I was an outstanding onnagata, who developed excellent diction and personal acting techniques. His forte were courageous and wild-spirited female roles. His fame in Edo between 1840 and 1854 was as high as his tachiyaku stage partner Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII.

Bandō Shūka I's best roles: Okaru ("Kanadehon Chūshingura"), Yae ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"), Agemaki ("Sukeroku"), Shizuka Gozen ("Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura"), Onna Narukami, Ohan ("Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami").

Bandō Shūka II  坂東しうか 二代目 (? - 1891)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/shuka.php

Born in Kamigata at an unknown date. He was the second son of Nakamura Karoku I and he started his career in 1851, performing under the name of Nakamura Tanetarō I. He took the name of Nakamura Moshio II in 1865. He went to Edo in 1873 and took the name of Nakamura Karoku II in March. A few months later, he was adopted by Bandō Mitsugorō VI, who helped him taking the name of Bandō Shūka II in May 1874. A few years later, he left the Bandō clan and went back to Kamigata. He worked hard as an onnagata actor but his popularity did not really grow. He died in Ōsaka the 5th May 1891.

Bandō Takematsu 坂東竹松（ばんどう たけまつ）(see Ichimura Uzaemon XV)

Ichimura Uzaemon XV held the stage name Bandō Takematsu (c. 1881-1885).

Bandō Takesaburō I  坂東竹三郎 初代 (1832~ 13 October 1877) (See Bandō Hikosaburō V)

Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII 市川団十郎 八代目 (5 October 1823 ~ 8 August 1854)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/danjuro8.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII, Ichikawa Ebizō VI, Ichikawa Shinnosuke II

Other name: Ichikawa Hakuen (III)

Connection: Great-great-great-great-grandfather: Ichikawa Danjūrō I, Great-great-great-grandfather: Ichikawa Ebizō II (Danjūrō II), Great-great-grandfather: Ichikawa Ebizō III (Danjūrō IV), Great-Grandfather: Ichikawa Hakuen I (Danjūrō V)

Father: Ichikawa Danjūrō VII

Brothers: Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, Ichikawa Ebizō VII, Ichikawa Ebizō VIII, Ichikawa Komazō VI, Ichikawa Enzō I, Ichikawa Kūzō

"Like his father, Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII excelled in the aragoto ('rough-stuff') roles for which the Ichikawa lineage was famous. But as well as audacious young heroes, he was also extremely successful in the various roles of young lover (nimaime). Together with his good looks, this made him especially popular with female fans. When he played Sukeroku, in which he had to immerse himself in a barrel of water, the water was subsequently sold at exorbitant cost to avid admirers. Even when he had to appear as Yosaburō with a scarred face, pastry shops sold beanpaste buns with cracked outer skins called 'Yosaburō buns, which were devoured by the actor's fans. Despite his success, or even because of it, he was plagued by personal problems, perhaps exacerbated by his early achievements and the jealousy this caused among older actors. In 1854 [August 8], during a tour of performances in Ōsaka with his father, he was found in his inn with his wrists slashed. He was suffering from massive debts, caused by his lifestyle, which emulated the excesses of his father." (from the The Fitzwilliam Museum Website). 

Ichikawa Danshirō III 市川段四郎 三代目 [also 市川團四郎, 市川団四郎] (October 5, 1908 – November 18, 1963)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/danshiro3.php

Real name: Kinoshi Masanori

The actor Ichikawa Danshirō III held this name from July 1930 to November 1963. Ichikawa Danshirō III was a tachiyaku actor, who did not reach the levels of fame of his father Ichikawa En'ō or his elder son Ichikawa Ennosuke III but was a steady mainstay of the Omodakaya guild. His best roles were Tarōgo ("Kurozuka"), Hayami no Tōta ("Yoshinoyama") and Iwanaga Saemon ("Akoya"). 

Ichikawa Ebijūrō V  市川鰕十郎 五代目 (?-1885)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/ebijuro.php

Date of birth not clarified. He started his career as a disciple of Nakamura Utaemon IV, who gave him the name of Nakamura Komasaburō. He made his training in miyaji shibai and hama shibai. He was adopted by Ichikawa Kodanji IV and received the name of Ichikawa Yonejūrō II. He quarreled with his adoptive father at the beginning of the Keiō era and had to leave the Ichikawa clan. He took the name of Nakamura Baijaku in 1866. He went to Kamigata in 1868 and received the patronage of Onoe Tamizō II, who gave him the permission to take the name of Ichikawa Ebijūrō V. He held this name up to his death in June 1885. He was a supporting katakiyaku actor.

Ichikawa Ebizō V 市川海老蔵 五代目 (1791-1859)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/ebizo5.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Hakuen II, Ichikawa Ebizō V, Ichikawa Danjūrō VII, Ichikawa Shinnosuke I

Other names: Ichikawa Jukai I, Matsumoto Kōshirō, Hatagaya Jūzō, Naritaya Shichizaemon (II), Ichikawa Sanshō IV

Ichikawa Ebizō V was an outstanding tachiyaku (male hero role) and the most popular actor of the nineteenth century.  As Ichikawa Danjūrō VII he established the Kabuki Jūhachiban, a collection of the eighteen greatest plays in the repertoire.

Born in Edo in 1791, to the daughter of the famous Ichikawa Danjūrō V, his father owned a shibai jaya (a teashop inside the theatre), and is said to have been a musician and low-ranking samurai. He appeared onstage for the first time at the age of 3, as Ichikawa Shinnosuke, and took the name Ebizō V at the age of six. In 1807 he took the name of Ichikawa Danjūrō VII.  In 1832 he took back the name Ichikawa Ebizō V and his son Ichikawa Ebizō VI, who is only 9 years old, becomes Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII.

During the 1st lunar month of 1859: Ebizō plays at the Nakamuraza but he suddenly falls ill and needs to rest a few weeks.  He dies on the 23rd day in the 3rd lunar month of 1859.

Ichikawa Enjō 市川莚女 (1868-1944)

Source: wikipedia Japan https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B8%82%E5%B7%9D%E7%AD%B5%E5%A5%B3

明治5年 (1872) 十代目片岡仁左衛門に入り片岡久我松。のち三代目澤村田之助門下で澤村小田之。のち養子となり沢村曙山。養父の死後は二代目市川左團次門人となり市川延女と名乗る。九代目市川團十郎の一座で専ら腰元を演じたり、小芝居の宮戸座に出演したりしていた。のち関西に移籍し初代中村鴈治郎一座で老女形として活躍。

『仮名手本忠臣蔵・六段目』のおかや、『双蝶々曲輪日記・引窓』のお幸などを得意とした。また昭和10年 (1935) 10月の明治座、『競伊勢物語』で初代中村吉右衛門の紀有常に相方で小よしを演じて評判を呼んだ。品格に欠けるが老巧な芸であった。

Ichikawa Ennosuke II 市川猿之助 二代目 (21 May 1888 ~ 12 June 1963)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/eno1.php and The Kabuki Theatre of Japan by A. C. Scott, George Allen and Unwin Ltd, 1955 p. 184-185.

Stage names: Ichikawa En'ō, Ichikawa Ennosuke II, Ichikawa Danko I

Real name: Kinoshi Masayasu

The first son of Ichikawa Danshirō II, he made his first stage appearance in 1892 as Ichikawa Danshi.  In 1910 he succeeded to the title Ennosuke.  During the Taisho era (1912-26), he was known as a progressive actor and traveled in Europe studying Western drama.  He has performed in many new dance plays and the more modern type of Kabuki dramas.  His real forte lies in comedy.  In the traditional sense he is not a true Kabuki actor at all, although today he appears in most of the important classical plays.  A small, stocky man, he possesses tremendous vigour for his age and leads his own troupe.

Ichikawa Gonjūrō 市川権十郎 (September 15, 1848 – March 27, 1904)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/gonjuro1.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Gonjūrō, Arashi Rikaku, Arashi Rikaku III, Arashi Yoshisaburō, Arashi Kichimatsu,Arashi Kichimaru

Real name: Okada Kikusaburō

Ichikawa Gonjūrō was a tachiyaku actor, born and trained in Kamigata, who became one of the best disciples of Ichikawa Danjūrō IX. His most striking features were great vocal projection, great lines delivery and ... a terrible Kamigata accent. He was also involved in a criminal case, called "Yoarashi Okinu Satsujin" (the murder of Okinu during a night storm - It sounds like a Kabuki drama), which led him to the Tōkyō jails, where he spent three years. (See the print The True Story of Harada Okinu in this collection for more information on the criminal case.) His others notable performances include the roles of Mizuno Jūrōzaemon (Yudono no Chōbei) and Lord Ii Kamon-no-Kami Naotaka (Ōsakazuki Shusen no Tsuwamono).

Ichikawa Ichizō III 市川市蔵 三代目(1833 ~ 2 March 1865)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/ichizo3.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Ichizō III, Onoe Ichizō

Other name: Ichikawa Chōshō

Ichikawa Ichizō III was a promising 19th century tachiyaku actor. This tall actor was able to perform a wide range of roles, not only as a tachiyaku, but also as a katakiyaku or an onnagata. His field of excellence was jitsugoto. He unfortunately died too young, at the beginning of his 30s; if he had lived longer, he most likely would have taken the name of Ichikawa Ebijûrô, to honor the memory of his grandfather.

Ichikawa Kodanji V 市川小団次 五代目 (18 August 1850 ~ 6 May 1922)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kodanji5.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Kodanji V, Ichikawa Nedanji I

Real name: Suwara Kiyosuke

Ichikawa Kodanji V was a Meiji/Taishō actor, able to play both tachiyaku and onnagata roles. His forte were jitsugotoshi roles. Less brilliant than his amazing father Ichikawa Kodanji IV, he focused on classic dramas and was not involved in any of the reformist experiments which shook the Kabuki world.

Ichikawa Kuzō III 市川九蔵 三代目 (see Ichikawa Danzō VII)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/danzo7.php

Ichikawa Danzō VII held the name Ichikawa Kuzō III from 1854 to June 1897.

Ichikawa Monnosuke V 市川門之助 五代目 (1821 ~ 12 September 1878)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/monnosuke5.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Monnosuke V, Inchikawa Shinsha I, Matsumoto Shichizō III, Iwai Kumetarō, Segawa Michitarō

He starts his career as a disciple of the actor Segawa Kikunojō V, who gives him the name of Segawa Michitarō. Later on, he joins the Iwai clan, becoming a disciple of Iwai Hanshirō V and performing under the name of Iwai Kumetarō. Following his master in a Kamigata tour, he meets the young actor Matsumoto Kōshirō VI, who welcomes him as a disciple and gives him the name of Matsumoto Shichizō III.

1st lunar month of 1845: Matsumoto Shichizō III becomes disciple of Ichikawa Ebizō V and takes the name of Ichikawa Shinsha I.  2nd lunar month of 1870: Ichikawa Shinsha I takes the name of Ichikawa Monnosuke V.

August ~ September 1878: he works with his son Ichikawa Benzō for the reopening of the Ichimuraza but he suddenly falls ill and dies.

Ichikawa Monnosuke V was a talented supporting actor, who played a major role in the transmission of the art and kata of the Bunka/Bunsei era to the Meiji rising stars. He was trained as a onnagata in the two most important Edo onnagata clans (Segawa and Iwai), and had the chance to share many stages in Kamigata with the actor Nakamura Tomijūrō II. He was specialized in spouse or fukeoyama roles, in sewamono or jidaimono dramas. In his latter years, he also performed tachiyaku roles. He was highly praised by the star Ichikawa Danjūrō IX.

Ichikawa Sadanji II 市川左団次* 二代目 (19 October 1880 ~ 23 February 1940)
* also written as 左團治
Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/sadanji2.php

Stage names: Ichikawa Sadanji II, Ichikawa Enshō II, Ichikawa Koyone I, Ichikawa Botan
Real name: Ichikawa Enjirō

Ichikawa Sadanji II, whose father was Sadanji I, made his first stage appearance at the age of 3 1/2  under the name Ichikawa Botan. In September 1906, two years after his father's death, he took the name Sadanji II. He spent 9 months in Europe from December 1907 until August 1907 studying theater and dance, returning to the Japan through the United States. In 1928 he organized the first foreign tour of a Kabuki troupe, performing in Moscow and Leningrad.  He past away on February 23, 1940.

"Ichikawa Sadanji II was one of the most popular actors in Japan in the first half of the twentieth century. He was an open-minded reformist, working hard to promote new plays, and an adept of revivals of long-forgotten classical dramas."

Ichikawa Shinjūrō III 市川新十郎 三代目 (1866-1929) - a disciple of Ichikawa Danjūrō IX.

Ichikawa Shinsha I 市川新車 初代 (see Ichikawa Monnosuke V)

The actor Ichikawa Monnosuke V held the name of Ichimura Shinsha I from the first lunar month of 1870 to Spring 1863 to the second lunar month of 1870.

Ichikawa Yonezō 市川米蔵 (dates of existence unknown)

Ichimura Kakitsu IV 市村家橘 四代目 (see Onoe Kikugorō V)

The actor Onoe Kikugorō V held the name of Ichimura Kakitsu IV from Spring 1863 to July 1868.

Ichimura Uzaemon XIII 市村羽左衛門 十三代目  (see Onoe Kikugorō V)

The actor Onoe Kikugorō V held the name of Ichimura Uzaemon XIII from January 1851 to Spring 1863.

Ichimura Uzaemon XIV 市村羽左衛門 十四代目 (1847-March 18, 1893) (see Bandō Kakitsu I)

The actor Bandō Kakitsu I held the name of Ichimura Uzaemon XIV from Spring 1863 to July 1870, then from January 1871 to August 1871.

Ichimura Uzaemon XV 市村羽左衛門 十五代目 (1874-May 6, 1945)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/uzaemon15.php

Stage names: Kataoka Nizaemon X, Kataoka Gadō III, Kataoka Matsuwaka, Kataoka Tsuchinosuke I 

Other name: Kataoka Roen III 

Real name: Kataoka Tsuchinosuke

Ichimura Uzaemon XV was one of the best tachiyaku of the first half of the twentieth century. He had a great physical appearance, a strong presence on stage and an amazing voice. He was the nimaime or the sabakiyaku par excellence. He kept on playing young lover roles even in his latter years and never performed any old man role. His duo with Onoe Baikô VI was one of the most famous goruden kombi in Kabuki history. When his best stage partner died in 1934, he successfully performed in duo with Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

Iwai Kumesaburō III 岩井粂三郎 三代目 (see Iwai Hanshirō VIII)

The actor Iwai Hanshirō VIII held this name from November 1832 to February 1864.

Iwai Matsunosuke IV 岩井松之助 四代目 (1857 ~ 11 March 1906)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/matsunosuke4.php

Stage names: Iwai Matsunosuke IV, Iwai Chōji

Real name: Arai Hisajirō

Took the name Iwai Matsunosuke IV in October 1879.  He was expelled for tow years, 1880-1882, from the Iwai clan after a quarrel with his master Iwai Hanshirō VIII.  After his master dies in 1882 he rejoined the Iwai clan.

Iwai Matsunosuke IV was a promising onnagata actor, who was able to perform a wide range of female roles in sewamono dramas, like courtesans, spouses or maiden. He replaced actors like Bandō Mitsugorō VI and was a stage partner of Onoe Kikugorō V but he unfortunately wasted his talents, became alcoholic and debt-ridden, was definitively expelled from the Iwai clan around 1901 and fell at the end of his career from ōshibai (major licensed Kabuki theaters in Edo) to koshibai (unlicensed theaters).

Iwai Shijaku II 岩井紫若 二代目 (see Iwai Hanshirō VIII)

The actor Iwai Hanshirō VIII took the name Iwai Shijaku II in February 1864 and held it until February 1872.

Iwai Shijaku IV 岩井紫若 四代目 (1854 - March 13, 1889)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/shijaku.php

Born in Ōsaka in 1854. He started his career as a disciple of Jitsukawa Yaozô I, who gave him the name of Jitsukawa Yaoe. He went to Tôkyô in 1878 and was quickly adopted by Iwai Hanshirô VIII. He took the name of Iwai Shijaku III in July 1878 at the Miyakoza, playing in the drama "Koi no Yami Ame no Furudera". He was an onnagata actor, who was appreciated more in sewamono than in jidaimono. Just like the previous holder of the name, he died too young, at the age of 35, the 13th of March 1889.

Kataoka Gadō III 片岡我童  三代目 (March 13, 1851 – April 16, 1895)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/nizaemon10.php

Stage names: Kataoka Nizaemon X, Kataoka Gadō III, Kataoka Matsuwaka, Kataoka Tsuchinosuke I

Other name: Kataoka Roen III

Real name: Kataoka Tsuchinosuke

The actor Kataoka Nizaemon X  held the name of Kataoka Gadō III from January 1872 to December 1894. Kataoka Nizaemon X was a talented actor able to perform a wide range of roles, as tachiyaku, katakiyaku or onnagata. His field of excellence was wagoto. He was endowed with a great voice and both his vocal projection and the way he delivered his lines were outstanding. He was not a stable man and his quarrels with his brother Kataoka Gatō III (who refused to take part in his shūmei) and the Kamigata star Ichikawa Udanji I drove him insane.

Kataoka Tsuchinosuke II 片岡土之助 二代目 (see Kataoka Nizaemon XII)

The actor Kataoka Nizaemon XII held the name Kataoka Tsuchinosuke II from January 1896 to March 1901.

Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I 河原崎権十郎 初代 (see Ichikawa Danjūrō IX) 

The great actor Ichikawa Danjūrō IX held the name of Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I from September 1852 to February 1869.

Kawarazaki Kunitarō I 河原崎国太郎 初代 (1849-1867)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kkunitaro.php

Born in Edo in 1849. Son of Kawarazaki Gonnosuke VI, he started his career as a wakashugata (actors specializing in adolescent male roles )in the 2nd lunar month of 1859, at the Ichimuraza where he received the name of Kawarazaki Kunitarō I. He became wakaonnagata (onnagata specialized in young maiden or princess roles) in the 11th lunar month of 1863, playing the role of Okumi in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". He made his last stage apperance in the 2nd lunar month of 1867, at the Ichimuraza, playing the roles of the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shōshō and Ohaya in the drama "Keisei Soga Kuruwa Kagami". He died in Edo the 21st of 4th lunar month of 1867.

Kawarazaki Sanshō 河原崎三舛 (see Ichikawa Danjûrō IX)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/danjuro9.php

Ichikawa Danjūrō IX took the name Kawarazaki Sanshō in September 1873.

Nakamura Dengorō III 中村伝五郎 三代目（なかむら でんごろう）(dates unknown)

A later stage name for the actor Nakamura Sagisuke II, a disciple of Nakamura Nakazō III.

Nakamura Denkurō VI 中村伝九郎 六代目 (1859 ~ 1923)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/denkuro6.php

Stage names: Nakamura Denkurō VI, Nakamura Shikaku I, Onoe Baikaku, Ichikawa Yoshimaru

Real name: Sobue Yoshisaburō

Took the name Nakamura Denkurō VI in May 1919.  He was a versatile actor, able to play a broad range of roles as a tachiyaku  or an onnagata.  In later years, he excelled in katakiyaku and fukeyaku roles.

Nakamura Fukusuke I 中村福助 初代 (see Nakamura Shikan IV)

Nakamura Shikan IV held this name from March 1839 until July 1860.

Nakamura Fukusuke IV (Narikomaya) 中村福助 四代目 (see Nakamura Utaemon V)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/fukusuke.php

The actor Nakamura Utaemon V held the name of Nakamura Fukusuke IV from May 1881 to April 1901.  He made his first stage appearance in August 1876 and became one of the best onnagata actors of the first half of the twentieth century.

Nakamura Ganpachi 中村鴈八 (see Nakamura Tsuruzō II)

Nakamura Jusaburō II (also seen as Juzaburō) 中村壽三郎 二代目 (also seen as 中村寿三郎) (active c. 1873)

The son of Nakamura Kanzaburō XII, the great grandson of Ichikawa Yaozō II and the brother of Nakamura Kanzaburō XIII.  (Note: I have some confusion about whether this actor appearing in several prints is the first, second, third or fourth generation Jusaburō.)

Nakamura Kanjaku III 中村翫雀 三代目 (1841 ~ 3 February 1881)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kanjaku3.php

Born in Ōsaka in 1841, his father is a policeman. He joins a troupe of children-actors (kodomo shibai) at the age of 11, playing under the name of Arashi Kakuzō I.

Nakamura Kanjaku III was a talented Kamigata actor, who was able to play tachiyaku or onnagata roles and was equally at home in sewamono and jidaimono dramas. Wagotoshi or toshima roles were his forte.

Nakamura Nakazō III  中村仲蔵 三代目 (1809 - 1824 December 1886)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/nakazo3.php

Stage names: Nakamura Nakazō III and Nakamura Tsuruzō I

Other name: Nakamura Kanzaburō XIV

Nakamura Nakazō III was an outstanding supporting actor, excelling in katakiyaku and fukeyaku roles. He was also an excellent dancer. He transmitted his amazing knowledge of Kabuki to the rising stars Onoe Kikugorô V and Ichikawa Danjûrō IX. His most notable role was Kômori Yasu in Segawa Jokō III's drama Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi.

Nakamura Shibajaku IV 中村芝雀 四代目 (1875-1927)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/shibajaku.php and Kabuki Woogie website of Professor Samuel L. Leiter https://kabukiwoogie.blogspot.com/2016/09/entry-5-1891-meiji-24.html

The actor Nakamura Jakuemon III held the name of Nakamura Shibajaku IV from September 1891 to September 1918. However according to Samuel L. Leiter "in September, at Ōsaka’s Kado-za, Nakamura Emitarō (son of Arashi Rishō II, adopted son of Nakamura Jakuemon III*), took the name Nakamura Shibajaku IV."

Nakamura Jakuemon III was an outstanding Kamigata onnagata.

Sadly, in November 1927, Jakuemon collapsed on stage and died while appearing at the Nakaza, playing the role of Princess Michitose in the drama "Honzô Shimoyashiki."

*It may be that this is a typo and should read "adopted son of Nakamura Jakuemon II."

Nakamura Shikan IV 中村芝翫 四代目 (3 March 1831 ~ 16 January 1899)
Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/shikan4.php
Stage names: Nakamura Shikan IV, Nakamura Fukusuke I, Nakamura Komasaburō, Nakamura Tamatarō I

He starts his career at an early age and plays under the names of Nakamura Tamatarō I and Nakamura Komasaburō.  In 1838, he is adopted by Nakamura Utaemon IV and in March 1839 he takes the name of Nakamura Fukusuke I at the Nakamuraza.  In July 1860, he takes the name of Nakamura Shikan IV at the Nakamuraza,

Nakamura Shikan IV was a great Meiji actor, who achieved fame for himself all over Japan (he toured a lot). He was equally at home in sewamono and jidaimono dramas, able to play almost any kind of role as tachiyaku, katakiyaku or even onnagata. He created many kata and some of them are still sometimes revived, like the ones for the role of Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

His rivalry with Bandō Hikosaburō Vwas one of the hottest in Kabuki history: "So nearly matched in ability were Shikan and Hikosaburō, with but two years difference in their ages, that they were pitted against each other, and their patrons often indulged in fights over them. During a performance, when these actors were playing together, they came through the audience by way of the twohanamichi, the one to the right of the stage a mere footpath, that to the left a platform that was in reality a continuation of the stage proper. They quarrelled as to who should take the main hanamichi, and the dispute waxed so hot that they finally drew lots to settle the matter." (Zoë Kincaid in Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan)

Nakamura Shikan V 中村芝翫 五代目 (see Nakamura Utaemon V)

Nakamura Fukusuke IV (Nakamura Utaemon V) took the name of Nakamura Shikan V in May 1901.

Nakamura Sōjūrō 中村宗十郎 (1835 ~ 8 October 1889)
Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/nsojuro2.php
Stage names: Nakamura Sōjūrō, Mimasu Gennosuke III, Nakamura Kamezō, Arashi Kamezō
Real name: Fujii Jubei

Nakamura Sōjūrō was an outstanding and very popular wagotoshi, competing with Jitsukawa Enjaku I for the title of best Kamigata tachiyaku. It is said that Nakamura Sōjūrō and Jitsukawa Enjaku I were the equivalent in Ōsaka of Ichikawa Danjûrō IX and Onoe Kikugorō V in Edo.  Nakamura Sōjûrō also acted in a wider range of roles, from katakiyaku to onnagata (for example the difficult role of Sodehagi in "Ōshū Adachi-ga-Hara"). He was opposed to the Meiji theater reforms and temporarily left the stage to open a dry goods business. Fans' pressure was so strong that he quickly returned to the stage.

Nakamura Tsuruzō I 中村鶴蔵 初代 (see Nakamura Nakazō III)

The actor Nakamura Nakazō III held the name of Nakamura Tsuruzō I from the 11th lunar month of 1818 to the 8th lunar month of 1865.

Nakamura Tsuruzō II 中村鶴蔵 二代目 (1831-1890)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/tsuruzo2.php

Stage Names: Nakamura Tsuruzō II Nakamura Ganpachi Anegawa Kikuzō.

Nakamura Tsuruzō II was a Meiji era supporting tachiyaku actor. He was born in 1831 and started his career in Ōsaka as a disciple of Anegawa Nakazō, who gives him the name Anegawa Kikuzō. In 1856 he returns to Edo and becomes a disciple of the actor Nakamura Tsuruzō I, who gives him the name of Nakamura Ganpachi. He takes the of Nakamura Tsuruzō II at the Moritaza in February 1867.  In March 1890 he appears on stage for the last time, playing at the Kabukiza in the drama "Sōma Heishi Nidai Monogatari." He dies in Tokypo on April 11, 1890.

Nakayama Genjūrō II 中山現十郎 二代目 (dates of birth and death unknown)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/genjuro.php

Disciple of Nakayama Genjūrō I, his first stage name was Nakayama Genji. He took the name of Nakayama Genjūrō II at unknown times and was active in Edo up to the end of the 1860s. His yagō (actor guild name) and his haimyō (literary name of a Kabuki actor) were Kawachiya and Hyōraku.

Onoe Baikō IV 尾上梅幸 四代目 (see Onoe Kikugorō IV)

Onoe Kikugorō IV held the name of Onoe Baikō IV from the 1st lunar month of 1846 to the 8th lunar month of 1855. 

Onoe Einosuke I 尾上栄之助 初代（おのえ えいのすけ）(see  Onoe Baikō VI) 

The actor Onoe Baikō VI held the name Onoe Einosuke from January 1885 until May 1891.

Onoe Eizaburō V 尾上栄三郎 五代目 (see Onoe Baikō VI) 

The actor Onoe Baikō VI held the name Onoe Eizaburō V from May 1891 until March 1903.

Onoe Kikugorō IV 尾上菊五郎 四代目 (1808 ~ 1860)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kikugoro4.php

Stage names: Onoe Kikugorō IV, Onoe Baikō IV, Onoe Eizaburō III, Onoe Kikushi, Nakamura Tatsuzō, Nakamura Kachō

Others names: Baikō Kikugorō

Father-in-law and adoptive father: Ōkawa Hashizō I (Onoe Kikugorō III)

Onoe Kikugorō IV was the only actor in this prestigious lineage to play mainly onnagata roles. His best role was the menoto Masaoka in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi".

As Onoe Baikō IV, he plays in the premiere at the Nakamuraza of Segawa Jokō III's drama "Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi" (commonly called "Kirare Yosa") in the third lunar month of 1853; Baikō plays the role of Otomi. This performance is a huge success.

Onoe Kikujirō II 尾上菊次郎  二代目 (1814 ~ 14 June 1875)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kikujiro2.php

Stage names: Onoe Baika, Onoe Kikujirō II, Nakamura Sankō II, Nakamura Karyū, Kataoka Ichimatsu

Onoe Kikujirō II was a talented waka onnagata, excelling in the roles of housewives in sewamono dramas. He co-starred with stage giants like Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII, Ichikawa Kodanji IV and Ichikawa Danjūrō IX. 

Onoe Kikusaburō V　尾上菊三郎 (no information available) 

Onoe Taganojō II  尾上多賀之丞 二代目 (1849 ~ 26 June 1899)

Source: Kabuki 21 website http://www.kabuki21.com/taganojo2.php

Stage names: Onoe Taganojō II, Onoe Kikumatsu I

Real name: Onoe Kikumatsu

Onoe Taganojō II was a good onnagata actor of the Meiji era. His forte were spouse roles in jidaimono drama. He last appears on the Tokyo stage in May 1894 becoming a traveling actor and then passing away suddenly on the 26th of June 1899 in the city of Kanazawa.

Onoe Ushinosuke II 尾上丑之助 二代目 (26 August 1885-10 July 1949) (See Onoe Kikugorō VI)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/kikugoro6.php

The son of actor  Onoe Kikugorō V, he held the name Onoe Ushinosuke II from May 1891 until assuming the name Onoe Kikugorō VI, after the death of his father.

Ōtani Tomoemon V 大谷友右衛門 五代目 (1833 ~ 1 February 1873)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/hiroji5.php

Ōtani Tomoemon V was the stage name of Ōtani Hiroji V from 1865 to August 1869, then a second time from April 1871 to February 1873. He was an overweight actor, able to play tachiyaku, katakiyaku, oyajigata or onnagata, in both jidaimono and sewamono.

Ōtani Tomoemon VI  大谷友右衛門 六代目 (June 1886 ~ 1 September 1943)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/tomoemon6.php

Stage names: Ōtani Tomoemon VI, Nakamura Tōzō V, Nakamura Komasuke, Nakamura Omocha, Nakamura Kanbei

Real name: Aoki Yaetarō

Ōtani Tomoemon VI was a talented and popular supporting tachiyaku, specialized in katakiyaku and oyajigata roles. He was a stage partner for the stars Onoe Kikugorō VI and Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

Sawamura Gennosuke IV 沢村源之助 四代目 (澤村源之助) (14 March 1859 ~ 20 April 1936)

Source: https://www.kabuki21.com/gennosuke4.php

Stage names: Sawamura Gennosuke IV, Sawamura Seijūrō II, Sawamura Seizaburō, Sawamura Seishi II

Real name: Sawamura Seizaburō

Sawamura Gennosuke IV was an outstanding onnagata actor, who was also able to play a wide range of male roles. Akuba roles were his field of excellence, like Otomi ("Kirare Otomi") or Dakki no Ohyaku ("Hyaku Monogatari"). He moved at the beginning of the 20th century from ōshibai, where he was supporting the stars Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and Onoe Kikugorō V, to kōshibai, performing as a leading actor in venues like the Asakusaza or the Miyatoza. He joined back the ōshibai in his latter years. He was considered as the last true Edo onnagata.

koshibai - Minor unlicensed Kabuki Theatres. Many Edo actors started their career and gained experience at Koshibai before being accepted in the major theatres. 

ōshibai - The major licensed theaters during the Edo period (1603~1868). From Meiji, it meant the major league of Kabuki actors, performing in the big theaters, compared to the minor league of Kabuki actors (koshibai). This expression was used up to the complete disappearance of koshibai. 

Sawamura Hyakunosuke 沢村百之助 (1857 ~ 3 April 1899)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/tanosuke4.php

Stage names: Sawamura Tanosuke IV 沢村田之助 (took this name in January 1881 after the death of his adoptive father.)

Sawamura Tanosuke IV was a good onnagata of the Meiji era.

Sawamura Sōjūrō VII 沢村(澤村)宗十郞 七代目 (1875- 2 March 1949)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/sojuro7.php

Stage names: Sawamura Sōjūrō VII, Sawamura Tosshō III, Sawamura Gempei IV

Real name: Sawamura Fukuzō

Poetry name: Kōga

Crest: the syllabic ideogram "i" in a circle [in Japanese: い]

Born in 1875 in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo, he may have been the son of a priest based in the Honganji temple in Tsukiji. In 1881 he was adopted by Suketakaya Takasuke IV, who gives him the civil name of Sawamura Fukuzō. In November 1881 he makes his first stage appearance at the Hisamatsu-za, where he receives the name of Sawamura Gempei IV. In 1892, Sawamura Gempei IV take the name of Sawamura Tosshō III at the Nakaza (Ōsaka). In September 1908, Sawamura Tosshō III takes the name of Sawamura Sōjūrō VII. On March 2, Sōjūrō collapses on a Himeji theater's stage while playing the role of Kampei in the drama "Kanadehon Chūshingura".

Sawamura Sōjūrō VII was an amazing onnagata and wagotoshi, a talented dancer, who led with Onoe Kikugorō VI, Matsumoto Kōshirō VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV the Kabuki world from the end of the Meiji era to the end of the forties.

His special methods of acting gave birth to the expression "Sōjūrō Kabuki".

Sawamura Sōjūrō VII gathered his 10 best roles in a collection called kōga jisshu. The most famous ones are Ofune ("Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi"), Yaegiri ("Komochi Yamamba"), Fukuoka mitsugi ("Ise Ondo"), Dôshin ("Karukaya Dōshin Tsukushi no Iezuto") and Ranchō ("Wakaki Uchina Gusa"). Others famous roles of Sawamura Sōjūrō VII were Fujiya Izaemon ("Kuruwa Bunshō"), Bimyô ("Moritsuna Jinya") and Kakuju ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami").

"The seventh Sawamura Sōjūrō is also one of the Imperial Theatre stars. He acts so well with Baikō and Kōshirō that they form a perfect trio, and when there is a break in this stage comradeship, Tokyo will be conscious of a blank like that which was experienced when the three great actors of Meiji passed away one after the other. Sōjūrō is at his best in samurai and aristocratic roles, He also makes a fascinating woman, and his ability in the dance, while not so striking as that of Baikō and Kōshirō, is still very great." (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")

Sawamura Tosshi VI 沢村訥子 六代目 (さわむら とっし）(see Sawamura Tosshō II)

Sawamura Tosshi VII 沢村訥子 七代目 (さわむら とっし）(1860-March 26, 1926)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/tosshi7.php

Stage names: Sawamura Tosshi VII, Nakamura Sennosuke II, Ichikawa Sennosuke

Sawamura Tosshi VII was a popular kaneru yakusha, who made a great career mainly on the Koshibai stages (Asakusaza, Azumaza, Engiza, Miyatoza). He excelled in the big tachimawari scenes, a "one against all" spectacular scene present in almost all the epic dramas, gaining the nickname of "ferocious actor" (mōyū).

Sawamura Tosshō II 沢村訥升 二代目 (1838 ~ 2 February 1886)

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/takasuke4.php

Stage names: Suketakaya Takasuke IV, Sawamura Tosshō II, Sawamura Gempei II

Others names: Sawamura Sōjūrō VI, Sawamura Tosshi VI

Sawamura Tosshō II was a stage name for Suketakaya Takasuke IV.  He was the worthy heir of his father Sawamura Sōjūrō V, excelling in wagotoshi, wajitsu or onnagata roles. He shared the stage with the Meiji giants Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and Onoe Kikugorō V. He posthumously received the name of Sawamura Sōjūrō VI.

Sawamura Tosshō III 沢村訥升 三代目 (See Sawamura Sōjūrō VII)

The actor Sawamura Sōjūrō VII held the name of Sawamura Tosshō III from January 1893 to August 1908.

Seki Sanjūrō III 関三十郎 三代目 (1805 ~ 1870)

Stage names: Seki Sanjūrō III, Ichikawa Yaozō V, Ichikawa Dankichi I

Other names: Ichikawa Chūsha V, Fujima Kangorō, Nickname: Hana no Sanjūrō (Sanjūrō the nose)

Seki Sanjūrō III was an outstanding tachiyaku actor, who excelled in katakiyaku and jitsuaku roles. He looked like Matsumoto Kōshirō V, sharing the same facial feature: an amazing nose! The playwright Kawatake Mokuami considered that Seki Sanjūrō III was the best actor he ever met.

Suketakaya [Sukedakaya] Takasuke IV 助高屋高助 四代目 (see Sawamura Tosshō II)

Takasagoya* Fukusuke III 高砂屋福助 三代目 (Nakamura Fukusuke III 中村福助) (28 December 1841 ~ 8 June 1921)

* identifying the Takasagoya actor guild

Source: Kabuki 21 website https://www.kabuki21.com/fukusuke.php

Stage names: Nakamura Baigyoku II, Nakamura Fukusuke III, Mimasu Tanin V, Nakamura Tamazō, Fujioka Kikutarō

Real name: Sasaki Norikazu

The actor Nakamura Baigyoku II held the name of Nakamura Fukusuke III from March 1868 to September 1907. He was a kaneru yakusha, excelling in both jidaimono and sewamono. He co-played a lot with the Kamigata stars Jitsukawa Enjaku I and Nakamura Ganjirō I.

last revision:

4/06/2025 added alt text

7/05/2024

10/7/2017