Stage names:

Onoe Kikugorô I
Onoe Taketarô

Other name: Onoe Baikô I

Guild: Otowaya

Line number: SHODAI (I)

Poetry name: Baikô (1)

Existence: 1717 ~ 29th day of the 12th lunar month of 1783 ^[1]

Connections:

Master: Onoe Samon (a disciple of Onoe Taganojô I's disciple Onoe Ukon I)

Fathers-in-law: Ôtani Hiroji I, Bandô Hikosaburô I

Son: Onoe Kikugorô II

Disciples: Onoe Shôroku I, Bandô Hikosaburô III, Onoe Tamizô I, Onoe Koisaburô I, Onoe Montarô, Onoe Kumesuke, Onoe Kikusaburô II

Career:

1717 ~ 1730: born in Kyôto. His father Otowaya Hanbei works as a dekata in Miyako Mandayû's theater. He starts his career as a disciple of the onnagata actor Onoe Samon, who gives him the name of Onoe Taketarô at an unknown date.

11th lunar month of 1730: Onoe Taketarô takes the name of Onoe Kikugorô I and makes his first stage appearance, in Kyôto at Kameya Kumenojô's theater, playing a wakashugata iroko role in the kaomise drama "Eiraku Shiki no Kogane", which is produced by Sakakiyama Shirotarô I.

11th lunar month of 1735: Kikugorô becomes wakaonnagata and plays in the kaomise drama "Shin-yakata Banzei no Ishizue", which is produced in Kyôto by Arashi Koroku I.

11th lunar month of 1737: Kikugorô plays in the kaomise drama "Hachiman Tarô Denju no Tsuzumi", which is staged at Ebisuya Kichirôbê's theater and celebrates the shûmei of Yoshizawa Sakinosuke II.

1st lunar month of 1738: Kikugorô's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent).

11th lunar month of 1739: Kikugorô plays the role of Enju in the drama "Muromachi Dono Chôhô Denki", which is produced by Sanogawa Ichimatsu I at the nadai Miyako Mandayû's theater; his stage partners are Yamanaka Heijûrô I (Nikki Danjô), Ôtani Hiroji I (Ise no Saburô) and Sawamura Otoemon I (Ôuchi Kamon).

Fall 1740: Kikugorô goes to Ôsaka.

11th lunar month of 1741: Kikugorô plays the roles of Okyô and Sammi no Tsubone in the kaomise drama "Bankoku Taiheiki", which is produced by Sadoshima Chôgorô I at the Ônishi no Shibai and celebrates the arrival in Ôsaka of the Edo actors Ichikawa Ebizô II and Ichikawa Danjûrô III.

12th lunar month of 1741: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the role of Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) in the drama "Yamato Ikioi Soga"; the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune is played by Ichikawa Ebizô II. The performance, which started the 11th, is not a success and stops the 22nd.

1st lunar month of 1742: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the role of Princess Taema in the drama "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura" [casting]. The performance is a triumphant success and is extended up to the beginning of 7th lunar month of 1742.

7th lunar month of 1742: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the role of Princess Kinugasa in the drama "Nanatsu Men", which is staged under the title "Hoshiai Sakae Kagekiyo".

Fall 1742: Kikugorô received the patronage of Ichikawa Ebizô II to perform in Edo. they travel together to the Eastern city. Kikugorô joins Ichimuraza and Ichikawa Ebizô II goes to the Kawarasakiza.

11th lunar month of 1742: Kikugorô plays at the Ichimuraza the roles of the shirabyôshi Naniwazu and Kuzu-no-Ha in the kaomise program "Furisode Shinoda no Zuma"; his stage partners are Bandô Hikosaburô I, Segawa Kikunojô I, Ichimura Uzaemon VIII, Bandô Matatarô III, Nakajima Mihoemon I, Tomizawa Tatsujûrô, Ichikawa Sôzaburô I, Sanogawa Senzô, Tamazawa Saijirô I, Sawamura Utagiku and Ichimura Manzô.

1st lunar month of 1744: Kikugorô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).

1st lunar month of 1748: Kikugorô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Soga Gorô in the drama "Kazari Ebi Yoroi Soga".

5th lunar month of 1748: the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" is performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza; Kikugorô plays the role of Suke-no-Tsubone [casting].

11th lunar month of 1752: following Ichimura Uzaemon VIII's pieces of advice, Kikugorô becomes tachiyaku and plays in Tsuuchi Jihê II's kaomise drama "Ume Sakura Ninin Semimaru".

7th lunar month of 1753: the play "Hirakana Seisuiki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Ichimuraza; Kikugorô plays the role of Shigetada [casting].

Fall 1762: Onoe Kikugorô plays at the Ichimuraza the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Hayano Kanpei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". His stage partner in the role of Okaru is Segawa Kikunojô II.

29th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1766: a fire breaks out in the district of Sakai-chô, in the cosmetics shop owned and managed by Kikugorô. It destroys both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. This fire is nicknamed "Kikugorô Aburamise Kaji" ("Kikugorô's cosmetics shop fire").

9th lunar month of 1766: Kikugorô plays at the Ichimuraza the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Tonase in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

Fall 1766: Kikugorô goes back to Kamigata after 25 seasons spent in Edo.

11th lunar month of 1766: Kikugorô plays in Kyôto at the Minamigawa no Shibai the role of Tawara Mushanosuke in the kaomise drama "Yuki no Asa Daimonjitsu Miyako no Fuku", which is produced by Yamashita Kyônosuke and Ichiyama Sukegorô.

1st lunar month of 1767: Kikugorô's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is dai-jô-jô-kichi (grand - superior - superior - excellent).

8th lunar month of 1768: Kikugorô plays in Kyôto the roles of the fox Genkurô, Tadabobu and Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura", which is produced by Onoe Montarô and Onoe Kumesuke.

9th lunar month of 1769: Kikugorô plays in Kyôto the role of Motome in the drama "Migawari Hana no Bugaku", his farewell performance before going to Edo.

Fall 1769: Kikugorô goes to Edo, travelling with the actors Ôtani Tomoemon I, Nakamura Kiyosaburô I and Onoe Tamizô I.

11th lunar month of 1769: Kikugorô plays the roles of Izumi no Saburô and Satô Shirô Tadanobu in the kaomise drama "Mutsu no Hana Ume no Kaomise", which is staged at the Ichimuraza.

9th lunar month of 1773: Kikugorô plays at the Ichimuraza the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke, Hayano Kanpei and Tonase in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura", his farewell performance before going to Kamigata in Fall. The role of Okaru is played by Nakamura Rikô I.

11th lunar month of 1773: Kikugorô plays at the Naka no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Itari Yaitari Mukadeyama", which is produced by Arashi Matsujirô I.

1st lunar month of 1774: Kikugorô's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is hanpakugoku-jô-jô-kichi (almost extreme - superior - superior - excellent).

5th lunar month of 1774: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

8th lunar month of 1774: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of Suganuma Yoemon and Tsukimoto Mushanosuke in the drama "Katakiuchi Ganryûjima".

9th lunar month of 1774: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of Kan Shôjô and Matsuômaru in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

11th lunar month of 1774: Kikugorô goes to Kyôto and plays in the kaomise program "Akanesasu Kogane no Maruyama", which is produced by Fujikawa Sango at Hayagumo Chôdayû and Hoteiya Umenojô theater. His stage partners are Arashi Hinasuke I, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Onoe Matsusuke I (who arrives from Edo), Onoe Shinshichi I, Arashi Shichigorô II and Yoshizawa Iroha I.

1st lunar month of 1775: Kikugorô's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is hanpakugoku-jô-jô-kichi (almost extreme - superior - superior - excellent).

3rd lunar month of 1775: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of Nan Yohê and Oseki in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

11th lunar month of 1776: Kikugorô goes to Ôsaka and plays at the Kado no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Ehôgura Sankai Meisho", which is produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I.

12th lunar month of 1776: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of Rai Kuniyuki, Sonobe Hyôe and Masamune in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari".

4th lunar month of 1777: premiere of Namiki Gohachi's drama "Tenmangû Natane no Gokû", co-written with Nakamura Akei and Tatsuoka Mansaku, which is staged at the Kado no Shibai; Kikugorô plays the roles of Takebe Genzô and Sugawara Michizane [casting].

9th lunar month of 1777: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

11th lunar month of 1777: Kikugorô plays at the Kado no Shibai the role of Gorosaku, in reality Onchi Sakon, in the kaomise drama "Ôiri Kabuki no Tsuitachi", which is produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I and celebrates the shûmei of Shibazaki Rinzaemon II.

4th lunar month of 1778: premiere in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai of Namiki Gohê's play "Kinmon Gosan no Kiri"; Kikugorô plays the roles of Konomura Ôinosuke (in reality Sô Sokei) and Mashiba Hisayoshi [casting].

9th lunar month of 1778: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of the wicked priest Narukami, deity Fudô Myôô and Kumedera Danjô in the drama "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura".

Fall 1778: Kikugorô goes to Edo

11th lunar month of 1778: Kikugorô plays at the Ichimuraza the roles of Adachi Saemon and Noto-no-Kami Noritsune in Masuyama Kinpachi I's kaomise drama "Sakimasuya Ume no Kachidoki".

1st lunar month of 1779: Kikugorô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is hanpakugoku-jô-jô-kichi (almost extreme - superior - superior - excellent).

8th lunar month of 1779: Kikugorô plays in the same theater the roles of Sonobe Hyôe and Masamune in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari".

5th lunar month of 1780: Kikugorô leaves the Ichimuraza after a terrible quarrel with Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and some serious management troubles at the Ichimuraza (the theater can't pay the actors). He takes the decision to leave Edo.

9th lunar month of 1780: last performance in Edo, at the Nakamuraza, where he joins Ichikawa Danjûrô V, an enemy of Matsumoto Kôshirô IV, and plays the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Tonase in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

Fall 1780: Kikugorô goes to Kamigata.

11th lunar month of 1780: Kikugorô plays in the kaomise drama "Sono Uwasa Kiku no Hataage", which is produced by Yamashita Yaozô I at the Kitagawa no Shibai

1st lunar month of 1781: Kikugorô's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent).

9th lunar month of 1781: Kikugorô plays at the Kitagawa no Shibai the roles Enju and Shigetada in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki"; his stage partners are Arashi Hinasuke I (Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka, Matsuemon, Higuchi no Jirô Kanemitsu), Arashi Sangorô II (Kajiwara Genta Kagesue), Sawamura Kunitarô I (Chidori), Shibazaki Rinzaemon II (Takatsuna, Gonshirô), Arashi San'emon VI (Ofude) and Anegawa Minato II (Oyoshi).

1st lunar month of 1782: the play "Tengajaya-mura" is staged for the first time in Kyôto, at the Kitagawa no Shibai; Kikugorô plays the role of Kôemon [casting].

11th lunar month of 1782: Kikugorô goes to Ôsaka and plays at the Naka no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Zu ni Notta Bankoku Tokai", which celebrates the shûmei of Kagaya Kashichi.

1st lunar month of 1783: Kikugorô's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent).

9th lunar month of 1783: the play "Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku" is adapted for Kabuki for the first time, in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai; Kikugorô plays the roles of the dry goods merchant Jûbê and Yamada Kôbê [casting].

12th lunar month of 1783: Kikugorô appears on stage for the last time, in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai; he plays the roles of Enju and Shigetada in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki". He suddenly falls ill.

29th day of the 12th lunar month of 1783 ^[1]: Kikugorô died in Ôsaka.

Comments:

Onoe Kikugorô I was an outstanding actor and the founder of one of the most prestigious lines of actors in Kabuki history. He started his career as a wakaonnagata but became an amazing tachiyaku. He was trained in Kamigata but spent two thirds of his 54 years long career in the Edo theaters, becoming one of the most popular actor this city.

Onoe Kikugorô I's best roles: Ôboshi Yuranosuke/Hayano Kanpei/Tonase ("Kanadehon Chûshingura"), Kan Shôjô/Matsuômaru ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"), Sonobe Hyôe ("Shin Usuyuki Monogatari"), Enju/Shigetada ("Hirakana Seisuiki").

Onoe Kikugorô I was the owner of a cosmetics shop located in the district of Sakai-chô. He managed it under the name of Onoe Kichiemon. After the destruction of the shop in the 1766 fire, he rebuilt it in the district of Setomono-chô.

[1] The 29th day of the 12th lunar month of the 3rd year of the Tenmei era was the 21st of January 1784 in the western calendar.

Onoe Kikugorô I playing the role of Yuranosuke in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura" (print made by Katsukawa Shunshô in 1780)

Prints & Illustrations

Print made by Ishikawa Toyonobu in 1751

Print made by Torii Kiyoshige (1752~1755)

Print made by Torii Kiyotsune in 1761

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1770

Caricature 1780

The Onoe Kikugorô line of actors