| IWAI HANSHIRÔ IV |
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Stage names:
Nicknames: Shirogane no Tayû [1] Guilds: Yamatoya, Zôshigaya Line number: YODAIME (IV) Poetry name: Tojaku Existence: 1747 ~ 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of 1800 [4] Connections: Master: Matsumoto Kôshirô II (Ichikawa Ebizô III) Son: Iwai Hanshirô V Grandsons: Iwai Hanshirô VI, Iwai Hanshirô VII Great-grandson: Iwai Hanshirô VIII Disciple: Iwai Kiyotarô II Career: 1747 ~ 1753: born in Edo. His father was the puppeteer Tatsumatsu Jûzaburô. He became a disciple of Matsumoto Kôshirô II, who gave him the name of Matsumoto Chômatsu and he made his first appearance on stage in the 7th lunar month of 1753. 26th day of the 11th lunar month of 1759 [5]: Iwai Hanshirô III, the father-in-law of Chômatsu's master, died. 1st lunar month of 1762: Matsumoto Chômatsu took the name of Matsumoto Shichizô II and started to perform onnagata roles. 5th lunar month of 1764: Shichizô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Princess Kariya in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". 1765: Matsumoto Kôshirô II, whose wife Omatsu was the adopted daughter of Iwai Hanshirô III, supported him to get the approval of the Kabuki world to appoint his talented disciple as the heir of the Iwai clan. 11th lunar month of 1765: Matsumoto Shichizô II took the name of Iwai Hanshirô IV [6] at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Lady Komachi in the drama in the kaomise drama "Kagura Uta Amagoi Komachi"; his main stage partners were Ichikawa Danjûrô IV, Nakamura Shichisaburô II, Ichikawa Yaozô II and Ichikawa Komazô II. 11th lunar month of 1766: Hanshirô performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Kogane no Hana Kaijin Arasmusha", which celebrated the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Kirishima Gizaemon I. 1st lunar month of 1767: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô and Princess Sakura in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsu Akinai Ômise Soga". 7th lunar month of 1767: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Osato in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura"; his stage partner in the role of Taira no Koremori, disguised as Osato's fiance Yasuke, was Bandô Hikosaburô II. 11th lunar month of 1767: Hanshirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Yura Shinzaemon's daughter Tanomo in the kaomise drama "Taiheiki Shizu no Furisode". 1st lunar month of 1768: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Ume no Oyoshi and the spirit of the Taira clan in the new year sogamono drama "Fude Hajime Soga no Tamazusa". 11th lunar month of 1768: Hanshirô performed at the Moritaza in the kaomise drama "Mutsuchidori Meika no Yumitori". 2nd lunar month of 1769: the play "Sekitori Senryô Nobori", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in the 8th lunar month of 1767 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, was adapted for Kabuki for the first time, in Edo at the Moritaza; Hanshirô played the role of Iwagawa's wife Otowa [casting]. 4th ~ 6th lunar months of 1769: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Konami and Okaru in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". 5th lunar month of 1769: Hanshirô played in the same theater the difficult role of Sodehagi in the drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara"; his stage partners were Sakata Sajûrô I (Abe no Sadatô) and Ôtani Hiroemon III (Abe no Munetô). 11th lunar month of 1769: Hanshirô performed at the Moritaza in the kaomise drama "Na ni Takashi Kumoi no Yumihari", which welcomed in Edo the actor Yamashita Kinsaku II and Kasaya Matakurô II (who also celebrates his shûmei) and celebrated the shûmei of Nakamura Shirogorô IV. 9th lunar month of 1770: Chikamatsu Hanji's 1759 puppet theater drama "Hidakagawa Iriai Zakura" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza; Hanshirô played the role of Princess Kiyo [casting]. 11th lunar month of 1770: Hanshirô performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Nue no Mori Ichiyô no Mato", which celebrated the shûmei of Matsumoto Kôshirô II, Ichikawa Danjûrô V, Nakamura Shôchô, Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Nakamura Shichisaburô III and Bandô Sanpachi II. 1st lunar month of 1771: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) and Murasakiya Ohan in the new year sogamono drama "Sakaichô Soga no Nendaiki"; the role of Soga Jûrô Sukenari was played by Ichikawa Komazô II. 3rd lunar month of 1771: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Agemaki in the play "Sukeroku", staged under the title "Kongen Edo Murasaki". His partners in the roles of Sukeroku and the villain Ikyû were Ichikawa Danjûrô V and Nakamura Nakazô I. He also played the role of the courtesan Tenmaya Ohatsu in the Miyakoji-based dance-drama "Oborozuki Tsui no Someginu", which put in the same michiyuki the couples of lovers Tokubê/Ohatsu ("Sonezaki Shinjû"), Ochiyo/Hanbei ("Shinjû Yoi Gôshin") and Osome/Hisamatsu (osome-hisamatsumono); the role of Ohatsu's lover Hiranoya Tokubê was played by Ichikawa Yaozô II. 4th lunar month of 1771: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Hayano Kanpei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of Okaru was played by Nakamura Matsue I. 7th lunar month of 1771: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Osugi and Princess Sakurako in the drama "Tamura Maro Nanae Gasane". 11th lunar month of 1771: Hanshirô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Funawaka Gorô's wife and the pearl-diving girl Murasame in the kaomise drama "Kuni no Hana Ono no Itsumoji"; his stage partners in the roles of Murasame's lover Ariwara no Yukihira and Murasame's sister Matsukaze (also in love with Yukihira) were Ichikawa Komazô II and Nakamura Nakazô I. 1st lunar month of 1772: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Tsukisayo in Nakamura Jûsuke II's new year drama "Haru ha Soga Akebono Zôshi". 8th lunar month of 1772: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Ohaya in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki". 11th lunar month of 1772: Hanshirô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of the spirit of a giant carp, disguised as the courtesan Shirotae, and Shioume Yoshigorohachi's wife in the kaomise drama "Ôyoroi Ebidô Shinozuka", which celebrated the shûmei of Ichikawa Ebizô III, Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Ichikawa Komazô III; the role of Shioume Yoshigorohachi was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô IV. 1st lunar month of 1773: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of the courtesan Sugawara, Princess Sakura and Misajiro's wife Ohatsu in the new year drama "Wada Sakamori Eiga Kagami"; the role of the priest Seigen, Princess Sakura's lover, was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô IV. 5th lunar month of 1773: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the Hirato woman diver Koyumi in the drama "Dainippon Ise no Kamikaze". 8th lunar month of 1773: Hanshirô was the leading star of "Mitsu Ôgi Kumoi no Tsuki", a Nagauta program made up of seven dances with quick costum-changes (hayagawari): "Hanaguruma" (the azalea), "Hanagasa Odori" (the umbrella dance), "Kairaishi" (the puppeteer), "Miko" (a maiden in the service of a shrine), "Musume Odori" (the daughter dance), "Kiri Kamuro" (the attendant of a high-ranking courtesan) and "Neko" (the cat). 9th lunar month of 1773: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Tonami and Yae in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; the roles of Takebe Genzô (Tonami's husband) and Sakuramaru (Yae's husband) were played by Ichikawa Yaozô II and Ichikawa Monnosuke II. 11th lunar month of 1773: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Gohiiki Kanjinchô", performed as a kaomise drama. Hanshirô played the roles of Princess Shinobu and Motoyoshi Shirô's wife [casting]. This 46-days long performance, which was also the shûmei of Nakamura Rikô I, was a tremendous success. 1st lunar month of 1774: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Tametomo's daughter Chidori-no-Mae and Kisegawa no Kametsuru in the new year sogamono drama "Oatsuraezome Soga Hinagata"; the role of Minamoto no Tametomo was played by Ichikawa Ebizô III. 3rd lunar month of 1774: Hanshirô and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV performed together the roles of Onatsu and Seijûrô in the same theater in the michiyuki "Nushiyatare Koi no Yamabuki". 5th lunar month of 1774: big crisis at the Nakamuraza; several high-ranking actors, including Hanshirô, Ichikawa Ebizô III, Ichikawa Danjûrô V and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV left the theater. 11th lunar month of 1774: Hanshirô joined the Moritaza and played the roles of Shizuka Gozen and Ogata's wife in the kaomise drama "Ichi no Tomi Tsuki no Kaomise", which welcomed in Edo the Kamigata actor Nakamura Shingorô II [6]; the roles of Minamoto Yoshitsune and Satô Tadanobu were played by Bandô Mitsugorô I and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV. 1st lunar month of 1775: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Senju-no-Mae and the courtesan Usugumo in the new year sogamono drama "Shida Yuzuriha Hôrai Soga". 5th lunar month of 1775: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Sakuramaru, Tonami and Haru in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". 8th lunar month of 1775: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Izumo no Okuni and Yamana Sanza's sister Fumizuki in the drama "Keisei Tsuki no Miyako". 9th lunar month of 1775: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the pearl-diving Murasame in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Oki Miyage Inaba no Yamamatsu"; his stage partners in the roles of Murasame's lover Ariwara no Yukihira and Murasame's sister Matsukaze (also in love with Yukihira) were Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Nakamura Noshio I. 11th lunar month of 1775: Hanshirô moved to the Ichimuraza and performed in the kaomise drama "Oyafune Taiheiki". 3rd lunar month of 1776: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Agemaki in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Hatsuzakura"; his stage partner in the role of Sukeroku was Ichikawa Yaozô II (replaced because of illness by Ichimura Uzaemon IX). The performance was a huge success and was extended up to the 6th lunar month. 7th lunar month of 1776: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Yae and Midai Umezono no Gozen in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". 11th lunar month of 1776: Hanshirô moved to the Moritaza and performed in the kaomise drama "Hikitsurete Yagoe Taiheiki"; his yearly salary was 500 ryô. 1st lunar month of 1777: Hanshirô performed in the same theater in the new year sogamono drama "Edo Jitate Kosode Soga". 4th lunar month of 1777: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Gonta's wife Kosen and Shizuka Gozen in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". 7th lunar month of 1777: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Itoya Oito and Sagami Jirô's sister Oyuki in the drama "Hônô Nitta Daimyôjin". 11th lunar month of 1777: Hanshirô moved to the Nakamuraza and played the roles of Sanuki-no-Mae and the courtesan Onomichi in the kaomise drama "Masakado Kanmuri no Hatsuyuki"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Danjûrô V, Matsumoto Kôshirô IV, Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III and Bandô Mitsugorô I. 25th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1778 [7]: his master Ichikawa Ebizô III died in Edo. 5th lunar month of 1778: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Yaoya Oshichi in the drama "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome". 7th lunar month of 1778: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki"; Hanshirô played the roles of Takao's sister Kasane, Narutaki and Kasaya Sankatsu [casting]. 11th lunar month of 1778: Hanshirô played at the Nakamuraza 2 roles in the kaomise drama "Motomishi Yuki Sakae Hachinoki", which celebrated the shûmei of Yoshizawa Ayame IV and the first stage appearance of Bandô Mitahachi I. 3rd lunar month of 1779: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Agemaki in the play "Sukeroku Sato no Yozakura"; the roles of Sukeroku, Shinbê and the villain Ikyû were played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Ôtani Hiroemon III. 11th lunar month of 1779: Hanshirô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Kôtô-no-Naishi and a countryside maiden in the kaomise drama "Kaeribana Eiyû Taiheiki", which celebrated the shûmei of Yamashita Mangiku I. 1st lunar month of 1780: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Fuji Minbu's sister in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga"; the role of Fuji Minbu was played by Bandô Mitsugorô I. 2nd lunar month of 1780: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Shinobu in "Gonin Otoko", the second part (nibanme) of the new year sogamono drama "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga"; the role of Shinobu's elder sister, the courtesan Miyagino, was played by Yamashita Kinsaku II. 9th lunar month of 1780: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Okaru in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of Hayano Kanpei was played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II. The Nakamuraza welcomed Onoe Kikugorô I, who left the Ichimuraza because of some management troubles in the 5th lunar month. This was his last performance in Edo before going back to Ôsaka. 11th lunar month of 1780: Hanshirô performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Kite Kaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka". 5th lunar month of 1781: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Narihira and Shigenoi in the dramas "Yamatogana Ariwara Keizu" and "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna". 9th lunar month of 1781: Hanshirô performed in the same theater in the company of Nakamura Nakazô I in "Iromi Kusa Yotsu no Somewake", a memorial performance for the 22nd anniversary (23rd memorial service) of the passing away of Iwai Hanshirô III. 11th lunar month of 1781: Hanshirô moved to the Ichimuraza and performed in the kaomise drama "Mukashi Otoko Yuki no Hinagata". 5th lunar month of 1782: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Agemaki in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the role of Sukeroku was played by Ichimura Uzaemon IX. 11th lunar month of 1782: Hanshirô moved to the Nakamuraza and performed in the kaomise drama "Godai Genji Mitsugi no Furisode"; his main stage partners were Ichikawa Danjûrô V, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Segawa Kikunojô III, Ichikawa Danzô IV and Onoe Matsusuke I. 1st lunar month of 1783: Hanshirô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual]. He played in the same theater the role of Princess Sakura in the new year sogamono drama "Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga"; the role of the priest Seigen was played by Sawamura Sôjûrô III. 3rd lunar month of 1783: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Oshun, Hitomaru and Sonoo-no-Mae in the drama "Hanakawado Migawari no Dan". 5th lunar month of 1783: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Kaoyo Gozen, Osono and Oishi in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". 8th lunar month of 1783: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Oteru and Oseki in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki". 9th lunar month of 1783: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Ohide and Osei in the drama "Buke no Hana Musume no Adauchi". 11th lunar month of 1783: the Nakamuraza was damaged in a fire and Hanshirô moved temporarily to the Moritaza in order to perform in the kaomise drama "Ono no Terusaki Yuki no Akebono". 1st lunar month of 1784: Hanshirô was back at the Nakamuraza and performed in the new year drama "Fude Hajime Kanjinchô". 6th lunar month of 1784: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Gonta's wife Kosen and Osato in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". 8th lunar month of 1784: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Koharu in Chikamatsu Monzaemon masterpiece's "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Kamiya Jihê was played by Sawamura Sôjûrô III [print]. From the 17th day of this month, he played the roles of Tonase and Okaru in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". 9th lunar month of 1784: last performance in Edo for Hanshirô (onagori kyôgen), who was about to go to Ôsaka. He played in the same theater the great role of Kuzu-no-Ha in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami". Fall 1784: Hanshirô and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV went together to Ôsaka. 11th lunar month of 1784: Hanshirô performed at the Naka no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Naka ni Môketa Otogo Kaomise", which was produced by Nakamura Kumetarô II. 1st lunar month of 1785: his rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual]. 5th lunar month of 1785: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji's puppet theater drama "Shinpan Utazaimon", which was staged at the Naka no Shibai; Hanshirô played the role of Omitsu [casting]. Summer 1785: tour in Akashi; Hanshirô played the role of Shizuka Gozen in "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". 11th lunar month of 1785: Hanshirô played at the Kado no Shibai the role of Osato in the kaomise drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura", which was produced by Onoe Ushinosuke I. 8th lunar month of 1786: Hanshirô played in Ôsaka at the Nishi no Shibai the roles of Okiji and Omiwa in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", which was produced by Nakamura Noshio II. Fall 1786: Hanshirô went back to Edo. 11th lunar month of 1786: Hanshirô performed at the Kiriza in the kaomise drama "Mutsu no Hana Izu no Hataage" [print]. 1st lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Tsukisayo in the new year sogamono drama "Yuki Nazuna Saiwai Soga". 3rd lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Yume no Kochô ('the dream butterfly') and Kitsunegasaki no Otama ('Otama from the Fox Peninsula') in the drama "Miyakodori Yayoi no Watashi". Hanshirô, Ichikawa Danjûrô V and Ichikawa Monnosuke II performed together in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Hana ni Kitsu Negura no Irodori". 4th lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Hatsuito in the second part (nibanme) of the new program "Miyakodori Yayoi no Watashi". 4th ~ 5th lunar months of 1787: Hanshirô performed in the same theater in an amazing seven roles Nagauta-based dance called "Nanae Ginu Azuma Hinagata". The seven roles were a kanjo, harukoma, a keisei, a zatô, a rôjo, a kusakari (a grass mower) and Shakkyô (the lion spirit at the stone bridge) [Print]. 5th lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Shigenoi in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna". 8th lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Tonase, Osono and Okaru in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". 9th lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Hanbê's wife Osai, Osai's daughter Osono and Chôsaku's wife Oiwa in the drama "Tenjiku Tokubê Kokyô no Torikaji". He also performed, with Ichikawa Komazô III, Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Yamashita Mangiku I, at the end of the program in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Iromi Gusa Honni Yoi Naka". 11th lunar month of 1787: Hanshirô played at the Kiriza the roles of Sonô, Sonome and Yaehata [print] in the kaomise drama "Sanga no Shô Mutsu no Hanayome". 1st lunar month of 1788: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô, Hisamatsu and Oume in the new year sogamono drama "Keisei Natori Soga"; the roles of Soga Gorô (Shôshô's lover) and Osome (Hisamatsu's lover) were played by Ichikawa Komazô III and Segawa Kikunojô III. 7th lunar month of 1788: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Kan Shôjô and Yae in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". 8th ~ 9th lunar months of 1788: last program for the Kiriza, which had to give back its license to the Ichimuraza and closed its business; Hanshirô performed in the drama "Rangiku Makura Jidô". 11th lunar month of 1788: Hanshirô performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Genji Saikô Kogane no Tachibana", which celebrated the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Asao Tamejûrô I. 1st lunar month of 1789: his rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. He played in the same theater the roles of Okuni and Soga Gorô in the new year sogamono drama "Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga". 3rd lunar month of 1789: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Ôyodo in the second part (nibanme) of the new year sogamono drama "Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga". 4th lunar month of 1789: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role Kameya Chûbê's wife Osuwa in the drama "Koi no Hikyaku". 5th lunar month of 1789: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Shindô Genpachi's wife Mifune and Okumi in the drama "Sanjikkoku Yofune no Hajimari"; the role of Shindô Genpachi was played by Sawamura Sôjûrô III. 6th lunar month of 1789: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Jûtarô's wife, Heiemon's wife and Kudayû's widow in the drama "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku". 11th lunar month of 1789: Hanshirô performed in the Ichimuraza kaomise drama "Hana no Oedo Masakado Matsuri". 1st lunar month of 1790: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of a young geisha, Princess Yamasaki and Hangaku in the new year sogamono drama "Ureshiku Zonji Soga". 2nd lunar month of 1790: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Princess Taema in the great play "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura"; the role of the wicked priest Narukami was played by Ichikawa Danjûrô V. 3rd lunar month of 1790: Hanshirô, Ichikawa Danjûrô V, Sawamura Sôjûrô III and Ôtani Hiroji III performed together in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Tao Yanagi Oboro no Kurokami". 4th lunar month of 1790: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Ochiyo in the love drama "Ochiyo Hanbê"; the role of Hanbê was played by Sawamura Sôjûrô III. 11th lunar month of 1790: Hanshirô moved to the Nakamuraza and performed in the kaomise drama "Sayo no Nakayama Hiiki no Tsurigane", which welcomed back in Edo the actor Ichikawa Yaozô III and welcomed the Kamigata actors Tanimura Torazô and Nakamura Kumetarô II. 1st lunar month of 1791: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based dance "Taimen Hana no Harukoma", which was performed at the end of the new year sogamono drama "Haru no Sekai Nigiwai Soga"; Hanshirô played the role of a courtesan [casting]. 3rd lunar month of 1791: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of the courtesan Agemaki in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Botan"; the role of Sukeroku was played by Ichikawa Yaozô III. This play was the second part of the new year sogamono drama "Haru no Sekai Nigiwai Soga", a memorial performance for the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial service) of the passing away of Ichikawa Yaozô I. 5th lunar month of 1791: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Enju's sister Ofuku in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki". 8th lunar month of 1791: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Ise-no-Naishi in the drama "Kiku no En Mukashi no Kyô". 11th lunar month of 1791: Hanshirô moved to the Kawarasakiza and performed in the kaomise drama "Mieikô Nori no Hachinoki". He played the main role of the "Onna Shibaraku" part ("Lady wait for a moment", a parody of the bombastic play "Shibaraku"): "Hanshirô IV made the normal entry down the walkway through the audience (hanamichi), wearing the "Shibaraku" costume decorated with the large square crests of the Ichikawa family. Just as he was about to accost evil Prince Munetaka on the main stage, his fellow actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II climbed up from the front row of the audience and interrupted, calling out, "Aren't you my younger sister Onaka?" Piece by piece, the "Shibaraku" costume was removed and the makeup was washed off, to reveal a precocious young girl wearing a long hanging-sleeved kimono (furisode) beneath! This unexpected development in the hackneyed "Shibaraku" was well received" (from "The Actor's Image"). 3rd lunar month of 1792: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Yaegushi no Oroku in the drama "Keisei Kogane no Hakarime". 4th lunar month of 1792: Hanshirô performed in the same theater in an amazing seven roles dance called "Kakitsubata Nanae no Someginu". The seven sections are "Komachi" (the name of the famous poetess Ono no Komachi), "Tenaraiko" (the learning girl), "Zatô" (the blind masseur), "Urashima" (based on the legendary character Urashima Tarô), "Kiri Kamuro" (a young girl attendant for a high-ranking courtesan), "Shiokumi" (the salt-making girl) and "Shakkyô" (the Lion Spirit at the Stone Bridge). 5th lunar month of 1792: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Hayano Kanpei, Kaoyo Gozen and Oribe in the drama "Chûshin Denshikata Kôshaku", a play whose plot and characters belonged to the "Kanadehon Chûshingura" world. 8th lunar month of 1792: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Kuzu-no-Ha in the play "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami", which was staged to commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of Nakamura Tomijûrô I. 11th lunar month of 1792: Hanshirô performed at the Kawarasakiza in the kaomise drama "Ôfuna Moriebi no Kaomise". 1st lunar month of 1793: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Ohatsu, Tsukisayo and Shirai Gonpachi in the new year sogamono drama "Gozen Gakari Sumô Soga"; the roles of Onoe (Ohatsu's mistress) and Iwafuji (Ohatsu's enemy) were played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Ebizô; the role of Banzui Chôbê, friend of Shirai Gonpachi, was played by Ichikawa Ebizô. This performance, which featured the first large scale tachimawari in Kabuki history, was a tremendous success. This was also the first time that the role of Shirai Gonpachi was played by Hanshirô. 5th lunar month of 1793: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Yaoya Oshichi in the drama "Junshokun Yaoya Oshichi". The actors Ichikawa Ebizô, Osagawa Tsuneyo II, Ichikawa Omezô I, Iwai Kiyotarô II and Hanshirô performed together in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Hototogisu Yumeji no Koi". Hanshirô also played the role of Shirai Gonpachi in the "Suzu-ga-Mori" scene; the role of Banzuiin Chôbê was played by Ichikawa Ebizô. The performance was a huge success and Hanshirô decided to finance the rebuilding of the grave of the real Yaoya Oshichi. 8th lunar month of 1793: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Oyasu and Tsuru no Mae in the drama "Hime Komatsu Ne-no-Hi no Asobi". 11th lunar month of 1793: Hanshirô performed at the Kawarasakiza in the kaomise drama "Nigiwai Genji Hana Saku Mon". 1st lunar month of 1794: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Kagekiyo's wife Akoya, Kagekiyo's enemy Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada and Tsukisayo in the new year sogamono drama "Gohiiki no Hana Aikyô Soga"; the role of Taira no Kagekiyo was played by Ichikawa Ebizô. 5th lunar month of 1794: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Shigenoi in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna". He also played the roles of Tadanobu and the fox Genkurô in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura"; the role of Shizuka Gozen was played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II. 7th lunar month of 1794: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Ohan and Katsumoto's sister Ichô-no-Mae in the drama "Nihon Matsu Michinoku Sodachi", whose plot and characters belonged to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world. 9th lunar month of 1794: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Hayano Kanpei, Kaoyo Gozen and Oishi in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". 10th lunar month of 1794: due to some financial difficulties, the salaries of all the actors were drastically reduced. Hanshirô's yearly salary for the coming season was set to 900 ryô after a reduction of 400 ryô. 11th lunar month of 1794: Hanshirô performed at the Kawarasakiza in the kaomise drama "Matsu no Misao Onna Kusunoki". 5th lunar month of 1795: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Okaru in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". 9th lunar month of 1795: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Sadaka and Omiwa in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin"; his stage partners were Matsumoto Kôshirô IV (Daihanji no Kiyosumi, Kamatari), Onoe Matsusuke I (Fukashichi), Iwai Kiyotarô II (Koganosuke, Princess Tachibana) and Ichikawa Komazô III (Motome). 11th lunar month of 1795: Hanshirô performed at the Kawarasakiza in the kaomise drama "Fuku Botan Azuma Dairi". 1st lunar month of 1796: second stay in Kamigata. Hanshirô played in the dramas "Iwai Irimasu Haru no Kaomise" and "Zôho Usuyuki Monogatari", which were produced by Nakayama Ittoku I at the Naka no Shibai in Ôsaka. He also achieved a great success in a 7 roles dance called "Nanaeginu Azuma Hinagata". 5th lunar month of 1796: tour in Miyajima with Ichikawa Danzô IV. Fall 1796: Hanshirô went back to Edo. 11th lunar month of 1796: Hanshirô performed at the Miyakoza in the kaomise drama "Seiwa Nidai Ôyose Genji", which celebrated the isse ichidai performance of Ichikawa Ebizô and the shûmei of Ichikawa Ebizô V. 1st lunar month of 1797: Hanshirô played in the same theater 7 roles in the new year sogamono drama "Edo no Haru Kichirei Soga". 5th lunar month of 1797: Hanshirô played in the same theater the roles of Enju and Ofude in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki". 8th lunar month of 1797: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Wada no Hyôe's wife in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". 11th lunar month of 1797: the Miyakoza had to give back its license to the Nakamuraza and Hanshirô moved there to perform in the kaomise drama "Kaikei Kokyô no Nishikigi". 3rd lunar month of 1798: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Kamatari's wife, lady Mikasa Gozen, in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin". 2nd lunar month of 1799: Hanshirô played in the same theater the role of Masaoka in the drama "Ômiura Date no Nebiki", whose plot and characters belonged to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world. 1st lunar month of 1800: Hanshirô appeared on stage for the last time, in Edo at the Nakamuraza, where he performed in the new year sogamono drama "Fuji o Mimasu Saiwai Soga". 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of 1800 [4]: Hanshirô died in Edo. Comments: Iwai Hanshirô IV was an amazing onnagata actor who found fame during the second half of the seventeenth century. His rival for the title of best Edo onnagata was the star Segawa Kikunojô III. He was a very meticulous actor in the preparation of his roles. It was said that Hanshirô went to visit a bordello, the Maruya house in the district of Mita in Edo, in order to study carefully the life of a famous and beautiful prostitute called Osen. Then, Hanshirô modeled all his courtesan roles on Osen. The origin of his guild name was interesting: some may think that Yamatoya was associated with the province of Yamato (northern part of the current Nara Prefecture), which was the case for others lines of actors using the same yagô because the founder of the line was born there, but it was not right in the case of Iwai Hanshirô IV. His fans used to shout Yama Yama, an original way to appraise their star, meaning that Hanshirô was a very talented oyama. Yamatoya had its origins in these Yama Yama shoutings. [1] The Master of Shirogane, a district in Edo. [2] The Master of Meguro, a district in Edo. [3] The name of a legendary fat woman with a round face, a facial feature of Hanshirô IV. [4] The 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 12th year of the Kansei era was the 21st of April 1800 in the western calendar. [5] The 26th day of the 11th lunar month of the 9th year of the Hôreki era was the 13th of January 1760 in the western calendar. [6] The actor Nakamura Shingorô II held the name of Iwai Hanshirô in Kamigata from the 11th lunar month of 1764 to the 10th lunar month of 1769. He was not acknowledged as a legitimate holder of the name. [7] The 25th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 7th year of the An'ei era was the 23rd of March 1778 in the western calendar. |
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