==> Dedicated page: Nakamura Danzô

Born in Ôsaka ^[17] in 1865. Disciple of Nakamura Fukusuke III, he received the name of Nakamura Fukuen and was active in Kamigata. He settled in Tôkyô in 1907 and became a mainstay at the Azumaza in Asakusa. Equally at ease in male or female roles, Fukuen was active in koshibai not only in Ôsaka but also in Tôkyô, where he thrilled the audience with his quick changes (hayagawari) and mid-air moves (chûnori). He died the 19th of October 1921 in Yokohama, a few months after his master Nakamura Baigyoku II who died the 8th of June 1921.

Born the 20th of November 1892 in Tôkyô in the district of Azumabashi ^[9]. Lefr out of Waseda University, he started his stage career in Tsubouchi Shôyô's theater project. He joined non-Kabuki troupes like the Mumeikai or the Geijutsuza. After WWII, he settled in Ôsaka and worked with Bandô Jusaburô III on non-Kabuki projects. He started to perform in Kabuki in 1948 and became in 1954 a disciple of Nakamura Ganjirô II, who gave him the name of Nakamura Gan'emon. He was recorded performing undet this name for the first time in May 1954, in Tôkyô at the Meijiza, where he played the roles of a kobun, a shitennô and Matsuemon in "Tekka Bugyô", "Moritsuna Jin'ya" and "Sonezaki Shinjû". He appeared on stage for the last time in April 1965, in Ôsaka at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza, where he played the roles of the ryôshi Tairoku and the taiko mochi Ichisuke in "Na ha Nagatoshi" and "Gion Ichiriki Jaya". This Narikomaya tachiyaku supporting actor died the 1Oth of July 1966.

Dates of birth and death unknown. Disciple of Nakamura Jûzô II, he received the name of Nakamura Iwazô and started his career in kodomo shibai in Kamigata. He performed for the first time in ôshibai in the 11th month of 1768, in Kyôto at the Minamigawa no Shibai, where he performed with his master in the kaomise drama "Kaeribana Misao Taiheiki", which celebrated the shûmei of Nakamura Noshio I, Nakamura Tsutaemon and Arashi Kasen. He took the name of Nakamura Iwagorô in the 11th lunar month of 1770 in Kyôto at Ebisuya Kichirôbê's and Kameya Kumenojô's theater, performing in the kaomise drama "Sakigake Yashima no Kachidoki". He settled in Ôsaka in Fall 1771. He took back the name of Nakamura Iwazô ^[5] and performed in the 11th lunar month of 1771 at the Kado no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Ganjitsu Eiga no Toshikoshi", which was produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I. He played in the 11th lunar month of 1772 at the Kado no Shibai the roles of the ryôshi Fukashichi and the tôzoku Kinjûrô in the kaomise drama "Hi-no-Moto Banzei no Hôrai", which was produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I. His ranking in the 1773 Ôsaka hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, was two black strokes above jô-(shiro)jô (superior - (white) superior) [visual]. He was recorded for the last time in ôshibai in the 10th lunar month of 1773, in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai, where he played the roles of Shundô Sukedayû, Jûrobê and Dotehei in the drama "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki". No record in ôshibai afterwards. He was the master of Nakamura Nakazô I and his haimyô was Kogan.

Date of birth unknown. He was the son of the Kyôto dôkegata actor Sendai Yagoshichi. During his youth, he met and received the patronage of the Edo star Nakamura Shichisaburô I when he was in Kyôto in 1699. He stayed in Edo for a while and, afterwards, performed in tabi shibai. He took the name of Yamatogawa Kanjûrô and started his career in ôshibai in Kyôto in the 1st lunar month of 1721, performing as a tachiyaku in the ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Mirume no Seki". He took the name of Nakamura Kanjûrô in the 11th lunar month of 1721 in Kyôto at Ebisuya Kichirôbê's theater, performing in the kaomise drama "Yamato Uta Denju no Tomikura", which was produced by Arashi Sanjûrô I. He went to Ôsaka in Fall 1725 and played at the Naka no Shibai the role of Ikoma Hachiroemon in the kaomise drama "Hôraisan Imose no Matsu", which was produced by Yamamoto Kyôshirô I and celebrated the shûmei of Nakamura Shirogorô II and Yamashita Kamenojô II. His ranking in the 1726 Ôsaka hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, was jô-(shiro)jô (superior - (white) superior). He played at the Naka no Shibai in the 2nd lunar month of 1726 the role of Nagaoka Rokurozaemon in the drama "Butsumo Mayasan Kaichô". No record afterwards.

Dates of birth and death unknown. His first stage name was Takenaka Karumo. He was recorded for the first time in the 11th lunar month of 1710 in Edo at the Ichimuraza, when he performed as a wakaonnagata in the kaomise drama "Shusse Taiheiki", which celebrated the shûmei of Takii Hanshirô and welcomed in Edo the Kamigata actor Kirinami Takie. He took the name of Nakamura Karumo in the 11th lunar month of 1711 at the Ichimuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Shusse Taiheiki". He went to Kyôto and appeared on stage for the last time in the 2nd lunar month of 1714, when he played in Kyôto the role of Otsuta in the kaomise drama "Tarôzuki Wakô no Ônuki", which was produced at Hoteiya Umenojô's theater by Nakamura Shingorô I. No record afterwards.

Born in Kamigata in 1836. Disciple of Kanô Hinasaburô, he started his career at the end of the Kaei era, performing under the name of Kanô Fukusuke. He became a disciple of Onoe Tamizô II in 1859 and received the name of Onoe Taminojô. He became a disciple of Nakamura Tomijûrô II in 1866 and took the name of Nakamura Daikichi IV. Then, he took the name of Nakamura Keijo in the 7th lunar month of 1869 in Ôsaka at the Chikugo no Shibai, playing the roles of Ohaya and Okon in the dramas "Dekiaki Koi no Yamazaki" and "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba" (Jitsukawa Enjaku I played the role of Mitsugi in the latter drama). He died the 15th of August 1875. He was a popular onnagata actor, excelling in nyôbô roles.

Nojima Jusaburô in the book "Kabuki Jinmei Jiten" wrote that Nakamura Keijo held the name of Nakamura Sennosuke between the second half of the 1840s and 1869. In "Kabuki Haiyû Meiseki Benran", Nakamura Keijo's stage names were all listed without any Nakamura Sennosuke. We've decided to stay in line with the book "Kabuki Haiyû Meiseki Benran".

Born in Edo in 1844. He started his career as a disciple of Bandô Shûka I, who gave him the name of Bandô Tamazô. He joined Nakamura Shikan IV and took the name of Nakamura Komagorô. His third master was Nakamura Sôjûrô, who was fond of precious stones and gave him the name of Nakamura Kohakurô in March 1875, Kohaku meaning amber in Japanese. In his latter years, he settled in Ôsaka and often performed with the Kamigata troupe led by Nakamura Ganjirô I. He was an excellent supporting actor, especially as a jitsuaku in jidaimono dramas. He died the 5th of April 1902.

Born in Ôsaka the 28th of November 1908. Son of the actor Yamaguchi Shôjirô (who used the stage name Nakamura Gihei), he started his career in June 1914 at the Kadoza, where he played the role of Yasomatsu in the drama "Keya-mura", sharing the stage with Nakamura Shibajaku IV (Osono), Jitsukawa Enjirô I (Rokusuke) and Arashi Ganshô (Kyôgoku no Takumi). He became a disciple of Nakamura Shibajaku IV and received the name of Nakamura Shigeijaku in November 1916. After the passing away of his master the 15th of November 1927, he became a disciple of Nakamura Kaisha. He took the name of Nakamura Komajaku in July 1943 and became nadai in January 1945. His second master died the 13th of March 1945. After WWII, he joined Ichikawa Jukai III. He performed in Kansai most of his career as a supporting onnagata actor. He appeared on stage for the last time in December 1984, in Kyôto at the Minamiza, where he played the role of the taiko mochi Sanpachi in the drama "Yoshidaya". He died the 25th of January 1986.

Born the 7th of March 1905 in Tôkyô in the district of Kanda. He started his career as a disciple of Ichikawa Danshô II, who gave him the name of Ichikawa Kitsuzaemon. He made his debut on stage as a koyaku in May 1910 at the Tôkyôza, performing in the drama "Ataka no Seki". He became a disciple of Ichikawa Ichijûrô IV and received the name of Ichikawa Ichimatsu III in March 1918. Then, he became a disciple of Nakamura Kan'emon III and changed his stage name to Nakamura Umeshichi in June 1927. He became a member of the Zenshinza in 1931 but he left the troupe in 1936 to join the one led by Ichikawa Kodayû II and the actress Nakayama Emiko. He was drafted during WWII and went back to the Kabuki world after WWII, becoming a disciple of Nakamura Shikan VI, who gave him the name of Nakamura Komashichi in October 1946. He appeared on stage for the last time in October 1980, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he played the role of a retainer of Sasaki Moritsuna in "Moritsuna Jin'ya". He died the 4th of May 1982.

Born the 31st of May 1924 in Tôkyô. He started his career in January 1942 in Hokkaidô at the Kotoni Kôkaidô. He became a disciple of Ôtani Tomoemon VI, who gave him the name of Ôtani Hirozô in May 1942. His master passed away the 1st of September 1943. After WWII, his new master was Ôtani Tomoemon VII. He became nadai and took the name of Ôtani Rikizô II in July 1958 at the Shinjuku Shôchikuza, performing in "Dakki no Ohyaku" and "Yotsuya Kaidan". He finally took the name of Nakamura Kyôemon in September 1964 at the Kabukiza, playing the role of Ishihara Shingo in the drama "Kinkakuji" which was staged in a special program celebrating the shûmei of his master Nakamura Jakuemon IV and his two sons, Ôtani Tomoemon VIII and Nakamura Shibajaku VII. He appeared on stage for the last time in June 1985, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he performed in the drama "Wakaki Hi no Nobunaga". He retired from the Kabuki stages afterwards, due to health issues. He died the 28th of November 1999. He was an important supporting actor for the Kyôya guild. He and Nakamura Kyôka were the two favorite kôken of Nakamura Jakuemon IV.

Born the 28th of February 1929. He started his career in 1948 as a disciple of Ôtani Tomoemon VII, who gave him the name of Ôtani Hiroya. He became nadai and took the name of Ôtani Akiyo in April 1955 at the Kabukiza, playing the roles of the nakai Omaki and Akiyo in the dramas "Saigô to Buta-hime" and "Oyako Dôrô". He finally took the name of Nakamura Kyôka in September 1964 at the Kabukiza, playing the role of a kanjo in the drama "Mikasayama Goten" which was staged in a special program celebrating the shûmei of his master Nakamura Jakuemon IV and his two sons, Ôtani Tomoemon VIII and Nakamura Shibajaku VII. He played in June 1997 at the Kabukiza the role of the koshimoto Kozakura in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari". Then, he appeared on stage for the last time in September 1997, in Tôkyô at the Sunshine Theater, where he performed in the Kabuki version of William Shakespeare's drama "Hamlet" (entitled "Hamuretto Yamato Nishikie"). He died the 15th of November 1997. He was an important supporting onnagata actor for the Kyôya guild, expert in nakai, koshimoto, shinzô or kanjo roles. He and Nakamura Kyôemon were the two favorite kôken of Nakamura Jakuemon IV.

Dates of birth and death unknown. Disciple of Shinomiya Genpachi, he received the stage name of Shinomiya Manjirô and he started to perform as a wakashugata at the Yamamuraza from 1702. He took the name of Nakamura Manjirô in the 1st lunar month of 1711, in Edo at the Nakamuraza, where he performed in the new year drama "Senrei Suehiro Soga". He played in the 1st lunar month of 1713 the role of Chidorinosuke at the Ichimuraza in the new year drama "Taihei Onna Imagawa". His rank in the 1713 Edo hyôbanki, wakashugata section, was jô (superior) [visual]. No record afterwards.

Dates of birth and death unknown. He started his career in Ôsaka in the 1st lunar month of 1705, performing as a wakaonnagata in the new year ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Oki no Ishi", which was produced by Kataoka Nizaemon I. His first stage name was Yamashita Kikusaburô. Was he a disciple of Yamashita Kyôemon I? The question is still open. He performed for a few years in tabi shibai under the name of Yamashita Hankurô. He went back to Ôsaka, became tachiyaku and performed in the 2nd lunar month of 1716 in the kaomise drama "Chôja Mannengura", which was produced in Ôsaka by Sugiyama Heihachi and Nakamura Gentarô. Then, he went back to tabi shibai for a while. He settled in Kyôto in Fall 1719, took the name of Nakamura Mikiemon, became katakiyaku and played in the 12th lunar month of 1719 the role of Inui Bansuke in the kaomise drama "Yamato Ôji Meoto Izumi", which was produced by Sawamura Chôjûrô I. He played in the 11th lunar month of 1722 in Kyôto at Hayagumo Chôdayû's theater the role of Ônusa Genjiemon in the kaomise drama "Senbon Matsu Tokiwa Yakata", which was produced by Sakakiyama Shirotarô I and welcomed in Kyôto the Ôsaka star Anegawa Shinshirô I. From the 20th day of the 11th lunar month of 1722 ^[12], a kawari kyôgen entitled "Otoko Moyô Nimai Hinagata" was staged to replace "Senbon Matsu Tokiwa Yakata". Then, he was recorded for the last time in the 1st lunar month of 1723, in Kyôto in the same theater, where he played the role of Sekimura Kôsuke in the new year ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Sodefuruyama". His rank in the 1723 Kyôto hyôbanki ^[13], katakiyaku section, was jô-jô (superior - superior) [visual]. No record afterwards.

Dates of birth and death unknown. Disciple of Sanogawa Mangiku, his first stage name was Sanogawa Fudenosuke. He was recorded for the first time in the 1744 Ôsaka hyôbanki. He joined Nakamura Tomijûrô I during the second half of the 1750s and received the name of Nakamura Fudenosuke.

Born the 10th of July 1922 in Ôsaka. Raised in the district of Nipponbashi, his mother was related to the rakugo story-teller Tachibanaya Enshi, he could have become a story-teller but he preferred to join the theater world. He started his career in Shinpa as a member of the troupe led by Umenoi Hideo. He became a disciple of Nakamura Senjaku I in 1941 and received in June the name of Nakamura Senji. He became Nakamura Kannojô when his master took the name of Nakamura Kanjaku IV in October 1941 at the Kadoza. He became Nakamura Gannojô when his master took the name of Nakamura Ganjirô II in January 1947 at the Ôsaka Kabukiza. He was promoted to the second league of actors (junkanbu shôshin) in 1963. He joined the first league of Kabuki actors (kanbu shôshin) and celebrated it in November 1990, when he took the name of Nakamura Ôsai in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, playing the role of the rôjo Asukai in the dance-drama "Kagami Jishi" ^[7]. He appeared on stage for the last time in January 1995, in Ôsaka at the Nakaza, where he played the role of the gejo Otama in the drama "Sonezaki Shinjû" ^[8]. He died the 29th of May 1995. He was an important Kamigata fukeoyama actor, at the service of the Narikomaya guild for more than 54 years!

Born the 22nd of April 1995. Son of Nakamura Karoku V, grandson of Nakamura Kashô II, great-grandson of Nakamura Tokizô III, great-great-grandson of Nakamura Karoku III and great-great-great-grandson of Nakamura Karoku I, he made his debut on stage (hatsubutai) in July 2000 at the Kabukiza, where he received the name of Nakamura Ryûnosuke and played the role of the wakadono Shunshôgimi in the drama "Uwajima Sôdô". He played at the Kabukiza in March 2006 and at the Shinbashi Enbujô in May 2006. No record afterwards. He stopped acting.

Date of birth unknown. He was a relative of Nakamura Utaemon III. He started his career as a disciple of the actor Fujikawa Tomokichi I, who gave him the name of Fujikawa Otokichi. He was trained in kodomo shibai in miyaji shibai in Kamigata. He became a disciple of Nakamura Utaemon III and received the name of Nakamura Hashinosuke. He went to Edo at the beginning of 1808 and took the name of Nakamura Nakasuke I in the 3rd lunar month of 1808 at the Nakamuraza. He went back to Kamigata in 1811, where he took the names of Kagaya Kashichi II in the 9th lunar month of 1811. Then he took the name of Nakamura Kashichi II in the 8th lunar month of 1812. He finally took the name of Nakamura Shirobê in the 8th lunar month of 1839, in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai, during a program commemorating the 1st anniversary (2nd memorial service) of the passing away of Nakamura Tamasuke. He retired at the end of 1839 to open a restaurant in Ôsaka, which was named "Maku no Uchi". He died the 21st of 12th lunar month of 1840. He was the adoptive father of Nakamura Tôzô IV.

Date of birth unknown. Disciple of Nakamura Utaemon I, he received the name of Nakamura Tamagashiwa. He was recorded for the first time in Ôsaka in the 11th lunar month of 1765, when he performed as a wakaonnagata at the Naka no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Ôzatsuki Shuen no Kachidoki" ^[15], which was produced by Mimasu Daigorô I and Nakamura Utaemon I. He appeared on stage for the last time in 11th lunar month of 1777 in Ôsaka, where he played at the Kado no Shibai the role of Utsunomiya's okugata Koyurugi in the kaomise drama "Ôiri Kabuki no Tsuitachi", which was produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I and celebrated the shûmei of Shibazaki Rinzaemon II (who played the role of Utsunomiya Kintsuna). Tamagashiwa's rank in the 1778 Ôsaka hyôbanki (wakaonnagata section), was jô-jô (superior - superior) [visual]. He died the 24th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1778 ^[16].

Born the 26th of March 1929 in Tôkyô. He started his career as a disciple of Nakamura Tokizô III in 1937, receiving the name of Nakamura Chômaru in October 1937 and making his debut on stage at the Kabukiza in the drama "Nijô-jô no Kiyomasa". He took the name of Nakamura Chôjirô in 1943. He became nadai and took the name of Nakamura Tokichô in April 1953 at the Kabukiza ^[2], where he performed in "Benkei Jôshi" and "Michiyuki Tabiji no Yomeiri". He changed his yagô from Harimaya to Yorozuya in October 1971. He appeared on stage for the last time in July 2015 ^[4], in Tôkyô at the National Theatre, where he performed as a kôken in "Tokaiya"/"Daimotsu no Ura". He died the 14th of October 2016. This onnagata actor was an important supporting actor for the Yorozuya guild, who served 3 generations of masters: Nakamura Tokizô III, Nakamura Tokizô IV and Nakamura Tokizô V. Tokichô's best roles were the sobaya nyôbô in "Naozamurai" and Otsuta in "Meigetsu Hachiman Matsuri".

Born the 25th of January 1921. He started his career in November 1946 as a disciple of Nakamura Tokizô III, who gave him the name of Nakamura Tokie. He changed his yagô from Harimaya to Yorozuya in October 1971. He appeared on stage for the last time in May 2001 ^[4], in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he performed the role of a pilgrim woman in "Genji Monogatari". He died the 25th of June 2001. This onnagata actor was a faithful supporting actor for the Yorozuya guild, who served 3 generations of masters: Nakamura Tokizô III, Nakamura Tokizô IV and Nakamura Tokizô V. He was also a talented painter, creating many beautiful backstage or on-stage Kabuki-related drawings or paintings.

Born the 1st of May 1910. He started his career in 1934 as a disciple of Nakamura Tokizô III, who gave him the name of Nakamura Tokiyo. He became nadai and took the name of Nakamura Tokiju in April 1953 at the Kabukiza ^[3], where he played the role of the koshimoto Fuyuno in the drama "Benkei Jôshi". He died the 31st of May 1970.

Born the 16th of September 1906. He started his career in August 1923 as a disciple of Seki Sanjûrô V, who gave him the name of Seki Matsuzô. He joined Kawarasaki Gonjûrô II in 1939 and received the name of Yamazaki Kashô. He finally became a disciple of Nakamura Tokizô III and received the name of Nakamura Tokisaburô in July 1954. He changed his yagô from Harimaya to Yorozuya in October 1971. He appeared on stage for the last time in July 1986 ^[4], in Tôkyô at the National Theatre, where he performed in the drama "Date no Jûyaku". He died the 3rd of March 1988.

Unknown day of birth (in Kamigata). Disciple of Nakamura Nakasuke II, his first stage name was Nakamura Nakaichi. He spent his youth performing in kodomo shibai and miyaji shibai around Ôsaka. He took the name of Yamashita Kamenojô VI at the end of the Kaei era. He took the name of Nakamura Shijaku in the 9th lunar month of 1858 in Ôsaka at the Goryô no Shibai. He performed several times at the end of the 1860s and the beginning of the 1870s in ôshibai venues like the Chikugo no Shibai or the Naka no Shibai. He took the name of Nakamura Tomiko in 1873 and most likely died in 1874. He was a good wakaonnagata actor with a great kôseki and a nice stage presence.

Dates of birth and death unknown. He was recorded for the first time in Ôsaka in 1721. He performed as a wakaonnagata in the 11th lunar month of 1722 in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai in the kaomise drama "Shingoten Aioi no Komatsu", which was produced by Arashi San'emon III. He went to Kyôto in Fall 1725 and played the role of Koharu in Azuma Sanpachi's kaomise drama "Senzai Gura Sangai Matsu", which was produced by the zamoto Arashi Jûjirô at the nadai Kameya Kumenojô's theater. He played in the same theater the role of Oshun in Azuma Sanpachi's new year ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Kurokamiyama". His rank in the 1726 Kyôto hyôbanki ^[10], wakaonnagata section, was jô (superior) [visual]. No record afterwards.