Stage names:
Nakamura Fukusuke IX
Nakamura Kotarô V
Real name: Nakamura Eiichi
Guild: Narikomaya
Line number: KUDAIME (IX)
Birthday: 29 October 1960
Connections:
Great-grandfather: Nakamura Utaemon V
Grandfather: Nakamura Fukusuke V
Father: Nakamura Shikan VII
Brother: Nakamura Hashinosuke III
Brother-in-law: Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII
Son: Nakamura Kotarô VI
Career:
April 1967: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Kabukiza, receiving the name of Nakamura Kotarô V and playing in "Nozakimura".
May 1968: revival at the National Theatre of "Ura Omote Sendai Hagi"; Kotarô plays the role of Senmatsu [casting].
January 1982: revival at the National Theatre of "Zôhiki", a bombastic play in the aragoto style which belongs to the Kabuki Jûhachiban; Kotarô plays the role of Princess Yayoi [casting].
April ~ May 1983: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in the USA and in South America, performing in 18 shows in 8 cities; he plays the roles of Senzai and princess Taema in the plays "Kotobuki Shiki Sambasô" and "Narukami".
May ~ June 1985: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in Europe, performing in 18 shows in 4 cities; he plays the role of Shizuka Gozen in the play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".
April 1987: Kotarô takes part in the revival at the Meijiza of the play "Jûni Hitoe Komachi Zakura", which includes the famous Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Tsumoru Koi Yuki no seki no To" [more details].
October ~ November 1987: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in Europe, performing 36 shows in 5 cities; he plays the role of Shizuka Gozen in the classic "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".
June 1989: the drama "Kaidan Botan Dôrô" using Ônishi Nobuyuki's script is staged for the first time with a full Kabuki casting, at the Shimbashi Embujô; Kotarô plays the role of Genjirô's lover Okuni [casting].
June ~ July 1990: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in the USA, performing in 26 shows in several big cities; he plays the role of princess Taema in the play "Narukami" [casting]. Kotarô plays also several roles in the play "Osome Hisamatsu Ukina no Yomiuri", which is performed only during 2 shows in Los Angeles.
April 1992: Nakamura Fukusuke VIII and Nakamura Kotarô V take the respective names of Nakamura Baigyoku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IX at the Kabukiza; the new Fukusuke plays the roles of Hanako in the dance "Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji" and Princess Yuki in the classic "Kinkakuji".
September 1998: third edition of the Cocoon Kabuki with the production of "Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu"; Fukusuke plays the role of Koman [more details].
April 2001: Fukusuke plays for the first time the main role of the great dance "Sagi Musume", which is performed at the Kabukiza.
June 2001: 4th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki with the production of "Sannin Kichisa"; Fukusuke plays the role of Ojô Kichisa [more details].
June 2005: 6th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki (the first one without Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII) with the production of "Sakura Hime"; Fukusuke plays the role of Princess Sakura [more details].
June 2007: 8th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki with the production of "Sannin Kichisa"; Fukusuke plays the role of Ojô Kichisa [more details].
January 2009: revival at the National Theatre of "Zôhiki", a bombastic play in the aragoto style which belongs to the Kabuki Jûhachiban; Fukusuke plays the role of Princess Yayoi [casting].
Comments:
Nakamura Fukusuke IX is a popular onnagata actor and a talented stage partner for Nakamura Kankurô in (hysterical) spouses roles in sewamono dramas. It is said he is likely to be the next Nakamura Utaemon.
Photograph courtesy of Curtis Knapp
The Nakamura Kotarô line of actors
The Nakamura Fukusuke line of actors
