ICHIKAWA HAKUEN I

1741 ~ 1754: born in Edo. He appears on stage for the first time in 1745, receiving the name of Matsumoto Umimaru. He takes a few years later the name of Matsumoto Kôzô.

11th lunar month of 1754: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza; Matsumoto Kôshirô II and Matsumoto Kôzô take the respective names of Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô III. The new Kôshirô performs in the kaomise drama "Miura no Ôsuke Bumon no Kotobuki".

1st lunar month of 1758: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Odawara Tôkichi in the new year program "Toki Tsukaze Irifune Soga".

11th lunar month of 1758: Kôshirô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Kôga Tarô in the kaomise drama "Kigoto no Hana Aioi Hachinoki".

1st lunar month of 1759: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Inubômaru in the new year drama "Hatsugai Wada Zakamori".

11th lunar month of 1759: Kôshirô follows his father Ichikawa Danjûrô IV to the Ichimuraza and plays the role of Fuwa Bansaku in the kaomise drama "Okunizome Shusse Butai".

1st lunar month of 1760: Kôshirô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tsuno katsura section, is jô-jô (superior - superior). He performs in the same theater in the new year program "Furiwakegami Suehiro Genji".

2nd lunar month of 1760: a fire breaks out in the district of Kanda and spreads to Sûzaki in Fukagawa. It destroys both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. It is called "Akashiya no Kaji" (The Akashiya fire), based on the name of the shop where it started. Kôshirô has to take some unintended vacation during the rebuilding of the theater.

3rd lunar month of 1760: Kôshirô plays in the rebuilded Ichimuraza the role of Iha no Jûzô in the drama "Soga Mannen Bashira", which includes the bombastic play "Kaneiri Gedatsu no Koromo" (commonly called "Gedatsu").

11th lunar month of 1760: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Mitachi no Kiyoyuki in the kaomise drama "Ume Momiji Date no Ôkido".

1st lunar month of 1761: Kôshirô performs in the same theater in the new year drama "Edo Murasaki Kongen Soga".

11th lunar month of 1761: Kôshirô follows his father to the Nakamuraza and plays the role of Washio no Saburô in the kaomise drama "Nihongahana Hôgan Biiki", which celebrates the shûmei of Ichikawa Raizô I.

2nd lunar month of 1762: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Matsuwakamaru in the drama "Soga Biiki Nihon Zakura".

11th lunar month of 1762: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the roles of Kiyohara Ayako and Taira no Munemori in the kaomise drama "Nagi no Ha Izu no Sugatami". This performance celebrates the shûmei of his new disciple Ichikawa Takejûrô, who takes the name Ichikawa Somegorô I. His father Ichikawa Danjûrô IV plays the role of the Deity Meguro no Fudô (the black eyes Fudô Myôô) in the "Fudô" scene, which is staged at the end of the program. The roles of Seitaka Dôji and Konkara Dôji, sitting close to Fudô Myôô, are played by Kôshirô and Ichikawa Somegorô I.

2nd lunar month of 1763: Kôshirô plays in the same theater 4 roles in Kanai Sanshô's new year drama "Momo Chidori Ôiso Gayoi".

11th lunar month of 1763: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Nishikido Tarô in the kaomise drama "Daijôbu Takadachi Jikki". This performance celebrates the shûmei of his disciple Ichikawa Somegorô I, who takes the name of Ichikawa Komazô II.

2nd lunar month of 1764: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Noritsune in the new year drama "Hitokidori Harutsuge Soga".

8th lunar month of 1764: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Yoshioka Kempô in the "Kenuki" scene, which is included in the "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima" drama, staged to commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the death of Ichikawa Ebizô II.

11th lunar month of 1764: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Shuten Dôji in the kaomise drama "Azuma no Hana Sôma no Dairi".

1st lunar month of 1765: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the roles of Ippongi no Gohei and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Amatsukaze Nenriki Soga". His stage partner in the role of Soga Jûrô is Ichikawa Komazô II.

5th lunar month of 1765: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the roles of the villain Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The role of En'ya Hangan is played by Ichikawa Komazô II.

11th lunar month of 1765: Kôshirô plays at the Nakamuraza the roles of Shibito Kozaemon and Ôe Otondo in the kaomise drama "Kagura Uta Amagoi Komachi", which celebrates the shûmei of Iwai Hanshirô IV.

1st lunar month of 1766: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Kanaishimaru Suketsune and the zatô Keimasa in the new year drama "Kaidô Ichi Izu no Harugoma".

5th lunar month of 1766: premiere of the play "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome", which is staged at the Nakamuraza. Kôshirô plays the roles of Dozaemon Denkichi and Beniya Chôbei. His stage partners in the roles of Yaoya Oshichi and Kichisaburô are Nakamura Matsue I and Ichikawa Benzô I.

7th lunar month of 1766: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Ippei in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

11th lunar month of 1766: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of the rebel Abe no Munetô in the kaomise drama "Kogane no Hana Kaijin Arasmusha", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Kirishima Gizaemon I. His stage partners in the roles of Abe no Sadatô and Hachiman Tarô are Kirishima Gizaemon I and Bandô Hikosaburô II.

1st lunar month of 1767: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the roles of Hokuromaru, disguised as the priest Seigen, and Hachiman no Saburô in the new year drama "Hatsu Akinai Ômise Soga".

7th lunar month of 1767: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Igami no Gonta in the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".

11th lunar month of 1767: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Sagami Jirô in the kaomise drama "Taiheiki Shizu no Furisode".

1st lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue and Dozaemon Denkichi in the new year drama "Fude Hajime Soga no Tamazusa". His stage partners in the roles of Yaoya Oshichi and Kichisaburô are Segawa Kikunojô II and Bandô Hikosaburô II.

7th lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Gokuin Sen'emon in the drama "Otokodate Itsutsu Karigane" [casting]. He also plays the role of Matsuômaru in "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

8th lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of the thief Nisuke in the drama "Tenjiku Tokubei Kokyô no Torikaji".

11th lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Hokkyô's daughter Asagao in the kaomise drama "Ima o Sakari Suehiro Genji" [print], which celebrates the arrival in Edo of Nakamura Utaemon I.

1st lunar month of 1769: Kôshirô plays for the first time the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the same theater the role of Kagekiyo in the new year drama "Soga Moyô Aigo no Wakamatsu". The roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Kudô Saemon Suketsune (Soga brothers' enemy) are played by Ichikawa Yaozô II and Nakamura Utaemon I.

11th lunar month of 1769: Kôshirô plays at the Nakamuraza the roles of Akita Jônosuke and the dragon-king (Ryûô) in the kaomise drama "Kawaranu Hanasakae Hachinoki".

1st lunar month of 1770: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Kyô no Jirô, disguised a the moxa peddler Toraya Seibei, in the "Uirô Uri" scene performed with the new year drama "Kagamigaike Omokage Soga" [print].

6th lunar month of 1770: Kôshirô plays in the same theater the role of Kikuchi Hyôgo in Sakurada Jisuke I's drama "Katakiuchi Chûkô Kagami".

11th lunar month of 1770: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza. Matsumoto Kôshirô III receives the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô V and his father Ichikawa Danjûrô IV takes back his previous name of Matsumoto Kôshirô II. The new Danjûrô plays the leading role of the "Shibaraku" scene, included in the kaomise drama "Nue no Mori Ichiyô no Mato", which also celebrates the arrival of Ichikawa Danzô III and Yamashita Kinsaku II at the Nakamuraza and the shûmei of the actors Nakamura Shichisaburô II, Ichikawa Benzô I and Nakamura Shichinosuke I,who respectively take the names of Nakamura Shôchô, Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Nakamura Shichisaburô III and Bandô Sampachi II.

1st lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year drama "Sakaichô Soga no Nendaiki". The roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Kudô Saemon Suketsune (Soga brothers' enemy) are played by Ichikawa Komazô II and Nakamura Nakazô I.

3rd lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Sukeroku in the play "Sukeroku", staged under the title "Kongen Edo Murasaki". His partners in the roles of the courtesan Agemaki and the villain Ikyû are Iwai Hanshirô IV and Nakamura Nakazô I.

4th lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Momoi Wakasanosuke, Ishidô Umanojô and Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The role of En'ya Hangan is played by Ichikawa Yaozô II.

7th lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Tomonari in the drama "Tamura Maro Nanae Gasane".

11th lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô, who decided to move to the Moritaza in the company of Yamashita Kinsaku II and let his father Matsumoto Kôshirô II at the Nakamuraza, becomes zagashira and plays several roles, including the aragoto role of Arajishi Otokonosuke in the "Shibaraku" scene and Umezu Kamon [Print], in the kaomise drama "Fukikaete Tsuki no Yoshiwara". His new stage partners are Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Nakamura Sukegorô II, Ôtani Hiroemon III, Bandô Mitsugorô I and Nakamura Jûzô II (who came from Kamigata).

1st lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of the dead Tosaemon, Kagekiyo and Soga Jûrô Sukenari in the new year drama "Hatsu Akebono Niwatori Soga". The roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Soga Gorô Tokimune are played by Nakamura Tomijûrô I and Nakamura Jûzô II.

4th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Sanai and Keimasa in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

7th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô plays in the same theater 2 roles in the drama "Keisei Momiji no Uchikake".

8th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the ghost of Seigen in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Sono Utsushie Matsu ni Kaide". His stage partners in the roles of the courtesan Takao (and the ghost of Takao) and Lord Ashikaga Yorikane are Nakamura Noshio I and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

11th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô plays at the Moritaza the roles of Minamoto no Tametomo, Kudô Kanaishimaru Suketsune and the Zen priest Bukan in the kaomise drama "Izu Goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu", which celebrates the shûmei of Sawamura Chôjûrô IV.

1st lunar month of 1773: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Iro Makie Soga no Sakazuki". The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Nakamura Noshio I and Bandô Mitsugorô I. Danjûrô performs also the leading role of the play "Uirô Uri" ("The moxa peddler").

7th lunar month of 1773: Danjûrô performs in the same theater in the drama "Miya Bashira Iwao no Butai".

9th lunar month of 1773: last performance at the Moritaza for Danjûrô. He plays the roles of Kumedera Danjô and Narukami in the drama "Momiji no Nishiki Narukami Zakura" ("Narukami"). His stage partner in the role of Princess Taema is Yamashita Kinsaku II. The "Narukami" performance is not well received by the audience.

11th lunar month of 1773: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Gohiiki Kanjinchô", performed as a kaomise drama. Danjûrô plays the roles of Kumai Tarô, Kashima no Kotofure, Kisanta, the Deity Fudô Myôô and Togashi Saemon [casting]. This 46-days long performance, which is also the shûmei of Nakamura Rikô I, is a tremendous success.

1st lunar month of 1774: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent). He also plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Kyô no Jirô and Danjûrô Shichinosuke (?) in the new year sogamono "Oatsuraezome Soga Hinagata". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari (Kudô's enemies) are Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV.

5th lunar month of 1774: big crisis at the Nakamuraza; several high-ranking actors, including Danjûrô, Ichikawa Ebizô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV leave the theater.

11th lunar month of 1774: Danjûrô joins the Moritaza and plays the roles of Kataoka Hachirô (in the "Shibaraku" scene), the hag Danguri no Osan, Suzuki Saburô and the bonze Sôjôbô in the kaomise drama "Ichi no Tomi Tsuki no Kaomise".

1st lunar month of 1775: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Danzaburô (Gorô's retainer) and Tamba Suketarô in the new year drama "Shida Yuzuriha Hôrai Soga". The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Bandô Matatarô IV and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

5th lunar month of 1775: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Fujiwara no Shihei, Terukuni and Kan Shôjô, transformed into the God of Thunder, in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". The role of Shihei's retainer Matsuômaru is played by Matsumoto Kôshirô IV.

8th lunar month of 1775: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Otokonosuke, Fuwa Banzaemon and Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Keisei Tsuki no Miyako".

11th lunar month of 1775: the departure of Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Iwai Hanshirô IV to the Ichimuraza is a hard blow for the Moritaza. Danjûrô stays and plays the roles of Ashigarayama no Yamamba, Kôjumaru and Koremitsu in the kaomise drama "Kikujidô Shuen no Iwaya". He also plays the wicked court noble role in "Shibaraku" (the superhero is played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II).

1st lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Sono Kyôdai Fuji no Sugatami".

2nd lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Dozaemon Denkichi in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Sono Kyôdai Fuji no Sugatami". His stage partners in the roles of Yaoya Oshichi and Kichisaburô are Yoshizawa Iroha I and Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

3rd lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka and Shigetada in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki". The roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue, Chidori and Enju are played by Bandô Mitsugorô I, Yoshizawa Iroha I and Sawamura Chôjûrô IV.

5th lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of An no Heibei and Iba Jûzô in the drama "Maki Kaesu Mikari Soga" [casting]. He also plays a lawn-mower role in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Ayame Fukuhana no Itazura", sharing the stage with Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Ôtani Hiroji III and Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

7th lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ashiya Dôman in the drama "Kikyôzome Onna Urakata", whose plot and characters are similar to "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".

10th lunar month of 1776: his son Momotarô dies at the age of 8.

11th lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô moves to the Ichimuraza and plays the roles of Iwawaka Gorô (in the "Shibaraku" scene), the hag Higaki and Godai no Saburô in the kaomise drama "Sugata no Hana Yuki no Kuronushi". This is also the premiere at the Ichimuraza of Sakurada Jisuke I's Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Momo Yogiku Iro no Yo no Naka"; Danjûrô plays the role of the old woman Higaki (in reality the ghost of Higaki) [casting].

1st lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kyô no Jirô, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo (in the "Uirô Uri" scene) in the new year program "Tsukisenu Haru Hagoromo Soga. The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune, Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Akoya are played by Ichikawa Yaozô II, Ichimura Uzaemon IX and Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III. For the first time in Kabuki history, chiwata threads are used in the bloody murder of the priest Dainichibô by Akoya. This new technique is very well received by the audience.

4th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kumedera Danjô in the drama "Homare no Shisha Kenuki Danshô", commonly called "Kenuki".

5th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of the rebel Abe no Sadatô and the Kurozuka ogress in the drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara". The roles of Sodehagi and Hachiman Tarô are played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Yaozô II.

Summer 1777: the book "Yakusha Sensakuron" ("About actors prying") is published in Edo. It gives some private information on actors. Edo readers learn that Danjûrô lives in the district of Sumiyoshi Sakai-chô and his annual salary is 800 ryô.

7th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Tamashima Kazue in the drama "Naniwagata Imose no Irifune", whose characters belong to the "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" world.

8th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Teraoka Heiemon and En'ya Hangan in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Kô no Moronô are played by Sakata Hangorô II. The role of Okaru is played by Segawa Kikunojô III. The scene, in which Heiemon and Okaru mourn the death of Kampei, is very well received by the audience.

11th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the roles of Taira no Masakado and Kamo Hyôe Shigemitsu (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise drama "Masakado Kanmuri no Hatsuyuki". His stage partners are Matsumoto Kôshirô IV, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

2nd lunar month of 1778: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Kagekiyo, disguised as Kannon Shichibyôe, in the new year program "Kaidô Iro Yawaragi Soga. His father Ichikawa Ebizô III dies.

5th lunar month of 1778: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Dozaemon Denkichi and Noriyori in the drama "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome".

7th lunar month of 1778: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki"; Danjûrô plays the roles of Arajishi Otokonosuke, Hosokawa Katsumoto, the Shôzuka hag, Saichi and Fuwa Banzaemon [casting].

8th lunar month of 1778: the "Kôshirô Impeachment affair" shakes the Kabuki world. The growing influence of Danjûrô in the patrons organizations or the shibai jaya circles created some enmities and a group of people plotted in the shadows to get him accused of misappropriation of funds. Danjûrô is ordered to leave the stage for a while, give his name to Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and take the name of Ichikawa Ebizô. The widow of late Ichikawa Yaozô II, who is also the lover of Danjûrô, leads him to think that both Iwai Hanshirô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV are responsible for this dirty and complicated plot. Danjûrô lets his anger explode twice on stage in front of the audience: the 27th of the 8th lunar month he accuses Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and the 28th it is the turn of Iwai Hanshirô IV. As a consequence, Danjûrô decides to leave the Nakamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1778: Danjûrô moves to the Moritaza and plays the roles of Arakawa Tarô (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene), Hachiman Tarô, Ôkami no Tani no Kantetsu and Miura Heitayû in the kaomise program "Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori. This kaomise, with the 3 high-ranking tachiyaku Nakamura Nakazô I, Ichikawa Danzô IV and Danjûrô at the top of the bill, is a huge success.

1st lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkantô section ("global leader"), is jô-jô-kichi (grand - superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year program "Edo Meisho Midori Soga.

2nd lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Iwanaga Saemon in the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki". The roles of Akoya and Shigetada are played by Onoe Matsusuke I and Nakamura Nakazô I.

7th lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Issun Tokubei in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami". The roles of Danshichi Kurobei and Tsuribune Sabu are played by Nakamura Nakazô I and Ichikawa Danzô IV.

8th lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kakogawa Honzô, Hayano Kampei and Ôwashi Bungo in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The role of Okaru is played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II. Danjûrô's performance is well received by the audience.

Autumn 1779: Matsumoto Kôshirô IV decides to leave the Nakamuraza to join the Ichimuraza. Danjûrô seizes this opportunity to become zagashira at the Nakamuraza for the new season.

11th lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the roles of Shinozuka Iga-no-Kami (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene), Ashikaga Takauji and Yakushiji Jirozaemon in the kaomise program "Kaeribana Eiyû Taiheiki". The performance is a tremendous success.

1st lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year program "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

2nd lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Gokuin Sen'emon in "Gonin Otoko", the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga". His stage partners are Ichikawa Monnosuke II (Karigane Bunshichi), Sakata Hangorô II (Hotei Ichiemon), Bandô Mitsugorô I (An no Heibei) and Nakamura Sukegorô II (Kaminari Shôkurô).

3rd lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kikuoka Kôzaemon and Kumagai Nyûdô Rennyô in the final act (ôzume) of the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga".

9th lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kakogawa Honzô and En'ya Hangan in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Kô no Moronô are played by Onoe Kikugorô I (who also plays the role of Honzô's wife Tonase) and Onoe Matsusuke I. The Nakamuraza welcomed Onoe Kikugorô I, who left the Ichimuraza because of a terrible quarrel with Matsumoto Kôshirô IV

10th lunar month of 1780: pilgrimage at the Naritasan shrine to pray the Deity Fudô Myôô.

11th lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kazusa Gorobei, Ise no Heita, Tezuka Tarô Mitsumori and Taira no Munekiyo in the kaomise program "Kite Kaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka"; the role of Minamoto no Tametomo is played by Nakamura Nakazô I.

1st ~ 3rd lunar months of 1781: the Nakamuraza has to delay his new year program because of several financial issues.

5th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Yamagaya Sashirô in the drama "Shôbu Zake Muko no Otogi". He also plays the role of Soga Gorô in the bombastic scene "Bunjin Ya no Ne Gorô" and the roles of Yuruki Saemon, the yakko Ippei and Sagisaka Sanai in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

7th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Tsukimoto Mushanosuke in the drama "Tsuki no Yuki Ganryûjima". The role of Sasaki Ganryû is played by Nakamura Nakazô I.

8th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kinezô, Koyama Hangan and Sakanaya Hinode Gorozô in the drama "Shida Chôja Bashira".

9th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô performs in the same theater in the company of Iwai Hanshirô IV and Nakamura Nakazô I in "Iromi Kusa Yotsu no Somewake", a memorial performance for the 22nd anniversary of the death of Iwai Hanshirô III.

11th lunar month of 1781: premiere of the dance-drama "Waga Sekogakoi no Aizuchi" (commonly called "Kumo no Hyôshimai") at the Nakamuraza, which is performed within the kaomise program "Shitennô Tonoi no Kisewata". The roles of the spirit of the spider, Minamoto no Raikô, Sadamitsu and Sakata Kintoki are played by Segawa Kikunojô III, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Onoe Matsusuke I and Danjûrô [print].

1st lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki is tôji-muri-hiiki (the favorite unequaled in those days). He plays in the same theater the role of Kyô no Jirô in the new year program "Nanakusa Yosooi Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo, disguised as the mugwort seller Mimasuya Jûbei, in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program. The role of Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) is played by Segawa Otome.

5th lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Kuruwa no Natori Gusa". The roles of Agemaki, Ikyû and Shimbei are played by Nakamura Rikô I, Nakamura Nakazô I and Sawamura Sôjûrô III.

7th lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Akamatsu Hikogorô, the tôfu maker Sajibei and Dote no Dôtetsu in the drama "Datezome Shikata Kôshaku", whose plot and characters belong to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world. Danjûrô performs in duo with Segawa Kikunojô III in the roles of Dote no Dôtetsu and the ghost of the courtesan Takao in the Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Shinkyoku Takao Zange".

11th lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô plays at the Nakamuraza the roles of Miura Kunitae (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) [print] and Abe no Sadatô in the kaomise program "Godai Genji Mitsugi no Furisode". His stage partners are Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Segawa Kikunojô III, Ichikawa Danzô IV and Onoe Matsusuke I. His adopted son Ichikawa Tokuzô takes the name of Ichikawa Ebizô IV.

1st lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga". The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Sawamura Sôjûrô III.

2nd lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the ghost of the priest Seigen in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Sono Omokage Matsu ni Sakura". The ghost of the courtesan Yatsuhashi is played by Segawa Kikunojô III.

3rd lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Kurizu Rokurô in the drama "Hanakawado Migawari no Dan".

5th lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ôboshi Yuranosuke in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The role of En'ya Hangan is played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

8th lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Hashimoto Jibuemon in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

9th lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Shibata Sazen in the drama "Buke no Hana Musume no Adauchi".

11th lunar month of 1783: the Nakamuraza is damaged in a fire. No kaomise program.

1st lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kumagai Tarô (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene), Gempachibei and Ise no Saburô in the new year drama kaomise "Fude Hajime Kanjinchô". The performance of a "Shibaraku" scene in a new year program is quite an unusual event.

2nd lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in the drama "Kagekiyo Rô Yaburi", staged to commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of late Ichikawa Ebizô III.

3rd lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the drama "Soga Musume Chôja". The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Ichikawa Yaozô III. From the 22nd of this month, he plays the roles of Oniô Shinzaemon and Ikyû in the drama "Sukeroku Kuruwa no Natori Gusa", sharing the stage with Ichikawa Yaozô III (Sukeroku) and Nakamura Rikô I (Agemaki).

7th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of the monk warrior Benkei, Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan and Igami no Gonta in the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".

8th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Muraoka Hayato in Chikamatsu Monzaemon I masterpiece's "Shinjû Ten no Amijima". From the 17th of this month, he plays the roles of Kakogawa Honzô and Amakawaya Gihei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

9th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ashiya Dôman in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami", which celebrates the departure of Iwai Hanshirô IV to Ôsaka.

11th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô plays at the Nakamuraza the roles of Matano Gorô, Soga Tarô and the bonze Hakone Jigokudani no Seiemon in the kaomise program "Ôakinai Hiru-ga-Kojima".

1st lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Hachiman Saburô in the new year drama "Hatsuhana Mimasu Soga". He also plays the role of Rokubei in the Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Shinobu Koi Yanagi ni Katsurao".

2nd lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Aburaya Kuheiji and Kagekiyo in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Hatsuhana Mimasu Soga", which combines the world of "Sonezaki Shinjû" and "Kagekiyo". The roles of Tokubei and Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) are played by Ichikawa Yaozô III and Mimasu Tokujirô I.

2nd ~ 4th lunar months of 1785: the great actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX appears on stage for the last time, at the Nakamuraza, performing in the program "Mitsu Ningyô Yayoi no Hinagata" in the company of Danjûrô.

8th lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Matsuômaru and Kan Shôjô, transformed into the God of Thunder, in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". The roles of Umeômaru and Sakuramaru are played by Onoe Monzaburô I and Ichikawa Yaozô III.

9th lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Takasaka Danjô in the drama "Osana Najimi Kasane Kotoba".

11th lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô moves to the Kiriza and plays several roles, including the superhero of "Shibaraku" and Mita Gengo Hirotsuna, in the kaomise program "Otokoyama Furisode Genji", which celebrates the shûmei of Bandô Mitsugorô II.

1st lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the leading role of "Uirô Uri" and the roles of Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year program "Ôkazari Kotobuki Soga". The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played Ichikawa Komazô III and Bandô Mitsugorô II. The role of Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) is played by Segawa Kikunojô III. The program opens the 17th and is extremely successful but a fire destroys the Kiriza the 21st.

3rd lunar month of 1786: the Kiriza reopens the 16th with the same new year program on the bill.

5th lunar month of 1786: Matsumoto Kôshirô IV joins the Kiriza and becomes reconciled with Danjûrô, ending a nine years long quarrel.

8th lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Fuwa Banzaemon in the drama "Muromachi Onna Bunshô". His stage partners in the roles of Nagoya Sanza and the courtesan Katsuragi are Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Segawa Kikunojô III.

9th lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kiyose no Tsubone in "Kôrai Giku Ukina no Irozashi", the second part (nibanme) of "Muromachi Onna Bunshô".

11th lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô plays at the Kiriza several roles, including the superhero role of "Shibaraku" and Minamoto no Tametomo, in the kaomise program "Mutsu no Hana Izu no Hataage", which celebrates the shûmei of Nakayama Kojûrô VI who takes back the name of Nakamura Nakazô I.

1st lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year drama "Yuki Nazuna Saiwai Soga".

3rd lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Hanewana no Yazô (in reality Awazu Rokurô Saemon), Hidari Jingorô and Miuranosuke Yoshizumi in the drama "Miyakodori Yayoi no Watashi". Danjûrô, Iwai Hanshirô IV and Ichikawa Monnosuke II perform together in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Hana ni Kitsu Negura no Irodori".

4th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Jûsaku in the second part (nibanme) of the new program "Miyakodori Yayoi no Watashi".

5th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of the yakko Edohei and Takemura Sadanoshin in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

8th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke, Ono Sadakurô and Ashikaga Naoyoshi in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

9th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Tenjiku Tokubei (Tokubei from India), a blind masseur and Harunaga in the drama "Tenjiku Tokubei Kokyô no Torikaji".

11th lunar month of 1787: second kaomise at the Kiriza for Danjûrô who plays the roles of Sano Genzaemon and Asama Saemon Norimasa [print] in the drama "Sanga no Shô Mutsu no Hanayome".

1st lunar month of 1788: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Aramonoya Sashirô and Arakawa Genjibei in the new year drama "Keisei Natori Soga".

7th lunar month of 1788: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Matsuômaru in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

8th ~ 9th lunar months of 1788: last program for the Kiriza, which has to give back its license to the Ichimuraza and close its business. Danjûrô performs in the drama "Takao no Miya Honji Kaichô".

11th lunar month of 1788: Danjûrô joins the Ichimuraza and plays the role of Fukusaku in the kaomise drama "Genji Saikô Kogane no Tachibana", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Asao Tamejûrô I.

1st lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year drama "Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga".

3rd lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Aragorô Mohei in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga".

4th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the rônin Umegawa Chûbei in the drama "Koi no Hikyaku".

5th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Shinoda Saemon and Yodo Sakonnosuke in the drama "Sanjukkoku Yobune no Hajimari".

6th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Yuranosuke in the drama "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku".

11th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô performs in the Ichimuraza kaomise program "Hana no Oedo Masakado Matsuri".

1st lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Ômi no Hachimanosuke, Tomoe Gozen and Kakurega no Mohei in the new year drama "Ureshiku Zonji Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the great play "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura", which commemorates the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of late Ichikawa Ebizô III. The role of Princess Taema is played by Iwai Hanshirô IV.

3rd lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV and Ôtani Hiroji III perform together in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Tao Yanagi Oboro no Kurokami".

4th lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Okada Kazuenosuke in the love drama "Ochiyo Hanbei".

5th lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô falls suddenly ill and has to take some rest up to the end of the season.

11th lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô moves to the Kawarazakiza and plays the roles of Kumai Tarô (the superhero a "Shibaraku" scene), Suzuki Saburô, a Komusô priest and Genjibei Hirotsuna in the kaomise program "Daidanna Kanjinchô".

2nd lunar month of 1791: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Awazu Rokurô Saemon in the new year program "Hatsu Midori Saiwai Soga".

Spring 1791: successful tour in the provinces of Kôshû and Sunshû.

11th lunar month of 1791: great shûmei at the Ichimuraza; The actors Ichikawa Danjûrô V and Ichikawa Ebizô IV respectively take the names of Ichikawa Ebizô and Ichikawa Danjûrô VI. Ebizô plays several roles, including the leading role of a "Shibaraku" scene, in the kaomise program "Kin Menuki Genke no Kakutsuba". The ideogram for "ebi" is different from the 2 usual characters used by the actors of the Ichikawa Ebizô line of actors:

New Ebizô	Classic Ebizô
鰕蔵	海老蔵

You need a Japanese Language Kit installed within your system in order to be able to read the characters

1st lunar month of 1792: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanjiku section ("all kanjiku"), is goku-jô-jô-dai-kichi-murui (extreme - superior - superior - grand - excellent - unequaled). He plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Ômi no Kotôta and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Wakamurasaki Edokko Soga". The roles of Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada, Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Bandô Hikosaburô III, Ichikawa Omezô I and Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

4th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Sasaki Ganryû in the drama "Hana Utsugi Shiraga Ganryû".

5th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Teraoka Heiemon, Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Uekiya Jûbei in the drama "Shijûshichi Somei no Hachiue", whose plot and characters belong to the "Chûshingura" world.

8th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Araki Saemon and a loathsome hag in the drama "Mukashi Mukashi Tejiro no Saru".

9th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Fukashichi in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin".

11th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô moves to the Kawarazakiza and plays the roles of Hata Rokurô Saemon, Nagasaki Kageyu Saemon, Watari Shinzaemon and Sagami Jirô in the kaomise program "Ôfuna Moriebi no Kaomise". His main stage partners are Matsumoto Kôshirô IV, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Bandô Mitsugorô II.

1st lunar month of 1793: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Iwafuji, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Banzui Chôbei in the new year drama "Gozen Gakari Sumô Soga". The roles of Onoe and Ohatsu, the enemies of the villain Lady Iwafuji, are played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Iwai Hanshirô IV. The role of Shirai Gompachi, friend of Banzui Chôbei, is played by Iwai Hanshirô IV. The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari, enemies of Kudô Suketsune, are played by Ichikawa Omezô I and Bandô Mitsugorô II. This performance, which features the first large scale tachimawari in Kabuki history, is a tremendous success.

4th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Ya no Ne Gorô and Uekiya Jûbei in the drama "Eimei Ya no Ne Gorô", which includes the bombastic "Ya-no-Ne" scene.

5th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Dozaemon Denkichi in the drama "Junshokun Yaoya Oshichi". The actors Iwai Hanshirô IV, Osagawa Tsuneyo II, Ichikawa Omezô I, Iwai Kiyotarô II and Ebizô perform together in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Hototogisu Yumeji no Koi". Ebizô also plays the role of Banzui Chôbei in the "Suzu-ga-Mori" scene. His stage partner in the role of Shirai Gompachi is Iwai Hanshirô IV. The performance is a huge success.

8th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Shunkan and Taira no Shigemori in the drama "Hime Komatsu Ne no Bi no Asobi".

11th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Ibaraki Chôbei, Mononobe Heita, Sôma Tarô and Sakatôji in the kaomise program "Nigiwai Genji Hana Saku Mon".

1st lunar month of 1794: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Akazawa Jûnai and Hakone no Tojibô in the new year drama "Gohiiki no Hana Aikyô Soga". The roles of Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) and Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada (Kagekiyo's enemy) are played by Iwai Hanshirô IV.

5th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Takemura Sadanoshin in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna" [print]. He also plays the role of Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan in the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".

7th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Nikki Danjô, Hosokawa Katsumoto and the tôfu maker Sabu in the drama "Nihon Matsu Michinoku Sodachi", whose plot and characters belong to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world.

9th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The role of En'ya Hangan is played by Bandô Hikosaburô III.

10th lunar month of 1794: due to some financial difficulties, the salaries of all the actors are drastically reduced. Ebizô's yearly salary for the coming season is set to 700 ryô after a reduction of 400 ryô.

11th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô moves to the Kiriza and plays the roles of the rebel Abe no Sadatô, an ascetic pilgrim and Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise program "Otokoyama Oedo no Ishizue", which celebrates also the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata star Yamashita Kinsaku II. The performance is a huge success.

1st lunar month of 1795: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Kajiwara Genta Kagesue in the new year drama "Nido no Kake Katsuiro Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1795: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Dozaemon Denkichi in the drama "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome.

3rd lunar month of 1795: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Ishikawa Goemon and Katô Masakiyo in the drama "Toki ha Ima Kuruwa no Hanamichi.

4th lunar month of 1795: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Kô no Moronô, Kakogawa Honzô, Horibe Yajibei and Amakawaya Gihei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The performance is a great success.

5th lunar month of 1795: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Otsuma (the vegetable store widow) and Yamawaki Jûzô in the drama "Yomogi Fukunoki no Tamamizu".

11th lunar month of 1795: Ebizô moves to the Kawarazakiza, where he meets up with Matsumoto Kôshirô IV again, and plays the roles of Taira no Masakado, Mita no Tsugô, Watanabe Tsuna and the councilor Tadafumi in the kaomise program "Fuku Botan Azuma Dairi".

2nd lunar month of 1796: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Yanagi Zakura Soga no Utsushie". He falls ill during the performance and has to take some rest.

11th lunar month of 1796: Ebizô moves to the Miyakoza for his final performance (isse ichidai). He plays the roles of Usui Aratarô Sadamitsu [print], an ascetic pilgrim and Sôma Tarô Yoshikado in the kaomise program "Seiwa Nidai Ôyose Genji", which celebrates also the return of Iwai Hanshirô IV to Edo and the shûmei of Ichikawa Ebizô V. Ebizô's stage partners are Kataoka Nizaemon VII, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Nakamura Nakazô II (who falls ill and dies a few days after the beginning of the performance), Ichikawa Yaozô III, Nakamura Noshio II, Iwai Kumesaburô I and Morita Kan'ya VIII.

12th lunar month of 1796: Ebizô retires at the age of 55 years, taking the name of Naritaya Shichizaemon. He settles on a small island called Ushijima ("cow island"), close to the big island of Mukôjima, living a hermit life in a small hut.

1st lunar month of 1797: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkantô section ("global leader"), is sanga no tsu murui-dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi-murui (unequaled in the three capitals - grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent).

11th lunar month of 1798: Ichikawa Danjûrô VI becomes zagashira at the Nakamuraza. His adoptive father is back on stage, using the name of Ichikawa Hakuen, to take part in the kôjô of the kaomise program "Hana to Mimasu Yoshino no Miyuki".

5th lunar month of 1799: his adopted son Ichikawa Danjûrô VI dies.

11th lunar month of 1800: Hakuen is back on stage, at the Ichimuraza, to perform in Nagawa Shimesuke I's kaomise drama "Oishigeru Nami no Une Une". It is the shûmei of his grandson Ichikawa Ebizô V, who is designated as the next holder of the Ichikawa Danjûrô name. This performance celebrates also the 100th anniversary of the haimyô Hakuen.

1st lunar month of 1801: Hakuen's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanjiku section ("all kanjiku"), is dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent).

11th lunar month of 1801: Hakuen is back on stage, at the Kawarazakiza, to perform in the kaomise program "Meika no Toku Mimasu no Tamagaki" [print].

1st lunar month of 1802: Hakuen's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanshu section ("global leader"), is murui-jô-jô-kichi (unequaled - superior - superior - excellent).

2nd lunar month of 1802: Hakuen plays in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the drama "Hatsu Monbi Yosooi Soga". His stage partners are Ichikawa Omezô I (Shigetada, Soga Gorô), Bandô Mitsugorô III (Soga Jûrô) and Osagawa Tsuneyo II (Akoya).

3rd lunar month of 1802: Hakuen appears on stage for the last time, at the Kawarazakiza, taking part in the memorial kôjô, which commemorates the 2nd anniversary (3rd memorial service) of late Iwai Hanshirô IV. Then he retires definitively.

10th lunar month of 1806: Ichikawa Hakuen dies in his small cottage on Mukôjima island.

Comments:

Ichikawa Hakuen I was one of the dominant tachiyaku of the An'ei, Tenmei and Kansei eras, excelling as jitsugotoshi, katakiyaku, aragotoshi and even onnagata. He did not attend his father's famous acting classes, preferring to follow his own way. He proved to the Kabuki world that he was worthy to hold the prestigious name of Ichikawa Danjûrô and contributed a great deal to the preservation of the best roles created by Ichikawa Danjûrô II or Ichikawa Danjûrô IV.

Ichikawa Hakuen I's best roles: Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Taira no Kagekiyo, Ôboshi Yuranosuke ("Kanadehon Chûshingura"), the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene.

Ichikawa Hakuen I drawn by Utagawa Toyokuni I for the book "Yakusha Gakuya Tsû" (1799)

Prints & Illustrations

4 faces

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1768

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1770

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1771

Print made by Katsukawa Shunshô in 1781

Print made by Katsukawa Shunjô in 1781

Print made by Katsukawa Shunshô in 1782

Print made by Katsukawa Shun'ei in 1787

Print made by Katsukawa Shunkô (1788 ~ 1791)

Print made by Tôshûsai Sharaku in 1794

Print made by Utagawa Kunimasa in 1796

Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1801

The Matsumoto Kôshirô line of actors

The Ichikawa Danjûrô line of actors