MORITAZA - SHINTOMIZA
   
Names Shintomiza
Miyakoza
Shintomiza
Fukanoza
Shintomiza
Moritaza
City Edo
History

1st lunar month of 1660: Morita Tarobê I and his adopted son Morita Tashichi opened a new theater in the district of Kobiki-chô; they named it Moritaza.

14th day of the 1st lunar month of 1660 [6]: a fire broke out in the district of Yushima. It spread and burnt the Ichimuraza, the Nakamuraza and the newly-constructed Moritaza.

5th lunar month of 1660: opening of the rebuilt Moritaza in the district of Kobiki-chô.

27th day of the 1st lunar month of 1661 [7]: a fire broke out in the residence of Kusakabe Gonzaemon in the district of Takajô-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Moritaza.

3rd lunar month of 1668: Morita Tarobê I retired.

5th lunar month of 1668: Morita Tashichi took the name of Morita Kan'ya I.

9th lunar month of 1668: Morita Kan'ya I and Kawarasaki Gonnosuke I became business partners.

10th lunar month of 1670: the number of Kabuki theaters in the city of Edo was set to 4 by the authorities. The authorized theaters were the Nakamuraza (in the district of Sakai-chô), the Ichimura-Takenojôza (Fukiya-chô), Moritaza (Kobiki-chô) and the Yamamuraza (Kobiki-chô).

25th day of the 6th lunar month of 1677 [8]: Morita Tarobê I, the first zamoto of the Moritaza, died in Edo.

25th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1679 [9]: Morita Kan'ya I, the second zamoto of the Moritaza, died in Edo.

Spring 1679: Bandô Fukutarô took the name of Morita Kan'ya II and became the new zamoto of the Moritaza.

26th day of the 12th lunar month of 1695: a fire broke out in the district of Sukiyabashi. It spread and burnt both the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1699: Morita Kan'ya II and Bandô Matajirô II respectively took the names of Bandô Matazaemon II and Morita Kan'ya III.

1700: Bandô Matazaemon II took the name of Bandô Matakurô II.

29th day of the 11th lunar month of 1703: an earthquake hit Edo and the resulting fires destroyed the city. The 4 main theaters, the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza, the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza, were burnt to ashes. This catastrophe was nicknamed "Genroku Jishin Kaji" ("Genroku Earthquake and Fire").

1st lunar month of 1709: the 4 Edo theaters, the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza, the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza, produced simultaneously a sogamono new year drama [2].

11th lunar month of 1709: Bandô Nabetarô became wakashugata and took the name of Bandô Matajirô IV at the Moritaza.

Spring 1712: Morita Kan'ya III, Bandô Matajirô IV and Bandô Matakurô II respectively took the names of Bandô Matakurô III, Morita Kan'ya IV and Bandô Matazaemon II.

7th day of the 1st lunar month of 1717 [10]: a fire broke out in the district of Owari-chô and spread to others sections of Edo, destroying the Moritaza.

5th lunar month of 1717: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Kokusen'ya Gassen" was produced simultaneously in the 3 Edo Kabuki theaters. This was the first Kabuki adaptation of a puppet theater play in Edo. It was produced at the Moritaza under the title "Kokusen'ya Gojitsu Gassen" and staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Watônai Matsumoto Kôshirô I
Kinshôjo, Komutsu Sanjô Kantarô II
Kanki Ogawa Zengorô I
Gosankei Hayakawa Dengorô

1st lunar month of 1718: Ichikawa Danjûrô II played at the Moritaza the leading role in the "Uirô Uri" scene (Kabuki Jûhachiban), which was performed in the second part (nibanme) of the new year sogamono drama "Wakamidori Ikioi Soga". The performance was a successful long run (from January to the 7th lunar month of 1718).

1st lunar month of 1720: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet theater shinjûmono "Shinjû Kasane Izutsu", which was written in 1707. The same play was simultaneously produced in the 3 Edo theaters and commemorated the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the suicide of the couple Tokubê and Ofusa, whose roles were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Sanjô Kantarô II at the Moritaza.

5th lunar month of 1721: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima", which was originally written for the puppet theater in the 12th lunar month of 1720, was adapted for Kabuki for the first time and staged in Edo at the Moritaza. The roles of Kamiya Jihê and Koharu were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Sodesaki Miwano I.

24th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1722: Bandô Matakurô III, who held the name of Morita Kan'ya III from 1699 to 1712, died.

Spring 1722: Bandô Matazaemon II took back the name of Bandô Matakurô II.

1st lunar month of 1734: the Moritaza went bankrupt. The hikae yagura system was authorized by the Shogunate. Morita Kan'ya IV gave his right of Kabuki performance to Kawarasaki Gonnosuke III, who opened his theater in the 3rd lunar month of 1735.

19th day of the 6th lunar month of 1734: Bandô Matakurô II, who held the name of Morita Kan'ya II from 1679 to 1699, died.

17th day of the 9th lunar month of 1743: the zamoto Morita Kan'ya IV died.

1744: Morita Kinzô, disciple of Morita Kan'ya IV, took the name of Morita Kan'ya V.

2nd lunar month (end of month) 1746: a fire broke out in the district of Tsukiji, in the mansion of Tsubouchi Gonzaemon. It spread and destroyed the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza and the Moritaza.

4th lunar month of 1750: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" was produced at the Moritaza for the first time, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Matsuômaru ???
Umeômaru Arashi Otohachi I
Sakuramaru Azuma Tôzô II
Kan Shôjô Tomizawa Tatsujûrô
Shihei, Shiratayû Nakajima Mihoemon I
Chiyo Arashi Kichiya
Yae Yamamoto Iwanojô
Haru, Tonami Tamazawa Saijirô I
Takebe Genzô Yamamoto Kyôshirô I
Princess Kariya Sanjô Kantarô III
Sukune Tarô Ôigawa Matazô
Kakuju Tsuuchi Monjûrô

11th lunar month of 1751: Morita Kan'ya V retired, taking the name of Bandô Matazaemon. He entrusted the management of the Moritaza to his son-in-law Sawamura Kodenji II, who took the name of Morita Kan'ya VI.

4th lunar month of 1752: the play "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki", originally written for the Puppets Theater, was adapted for the very first time to Kabuki, at the Moritaza, and staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kumagai Jirô Naozane, the yakko Tagohei Nakamura Denkurô II
Fuji-no-Kata Morita Kan'ya VI
Midaroku, Taira no Tsunemori, Hayashi Ichikawa Sôzaburô I
Okabe Rokuyata, Minamoto no Yoshitsune Nakamura Shichisaburô II
Sagami (Kumagai's wife), Sugawaradayû Yoshizawa Ayame II
Taira no Atsumori, Kojirô, Kiku-no-Mae Ogino Yaegiri II
Princess Tamaori Sawamura Utagiku
Hirayama no Mushadokoro Miyazaki Jûshirô II
Satsuma-no-Kami Tadanori Tomizawa Tatsujûrô
Kajiwara Kagetoki Nakajima Mihozô I

23rd day of the 11th lunar month of 1756 [11]: a fire broke out in the district of Kôjimachi. It spread and destroyed the Moritaza.

1st lunar month of 1757: the play "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Yoshioka Kiichi Hôgen Tomizawa Tatsujûrô
The yakko Chienai, Yoshioka Kisanta Matsuyama Sanjûrô
Kasahara Tankai Sanogawa Sajûrô
The yakko Torazô, Ushiwakamaru Sodesaki Miwano II
Princess Minazuru Yoshizawa Hannosuke

5th lunar month of 1758: the play "Gion Sairei Shinkôki" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Princess Yuki Agemaki Rin'ya
Tôkichi Nakamura Denkurô II
Matsunaga Daizen Sawamura Otoemon II

2nd lunar month of 1763: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara", which was staged at the Moritaza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Sodehagi, Bunji's wife Osagawa Tsuneyo I
Abe no Munetô, Iwate Nakamura Sukegorô I
Abe no Sadatô Sawamura Kijûrô I
Hachiman Tarô Nakamura Nakazô I
Bunji Bandô Sanpachi I
Shigasaki Ikomanosuke Nakamura Denzô I
The keisei Koiginu Sanjô Kametarô
Taira no Kenjô Naokata Tomizawa Tatsujûrô
The hinin Dobu Roku Sengoku Sukeji
Kenjô's wife Hamayû Morita Kan'ya VI
Ôe Koretoki Sakata Sajûrô I
The diver Chôta Sawamura Ujûrô I
Shikitae Sawamura Kodenji III

2nd lunar month of 1769: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Sekitori Senryô Nobori", which was staged at the Moritaza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
The sumôtori Tetsugadake, Senbagawa Kichibê Sakata Hangorô II
Iwagawa's wife Otowa Iwai Hanshirô IV
The sumôtori Iwagawa, Tsuda Ryôsuke Bandô Mitsugorô I
Senbagawa's wife Oyotsu, the courtesan Fujie Onoe Matsusuke I
Tsuruya Reizaburô Arashi Koshikibu
A sumô referee Nakajima Kanzaemon III
Sawada Banryû Ôtani Hiroemon III

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 with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Princess Kiyo Iwai Hanshirô IV
Manago no Shôji Tomizawa Tatsujûrô
A bonze Bandô Mitsugorô I
A storyteller Ôtani Hiroemon III
A highway messenger Sawamura Ujûrô II
A boatman Ichikawa Shôemon

8th lunar month of 1771: Nakamura Tomijûrô I achieved a great success at the Moritaza by performing in an amazing seven roles Nagauta-based dance called "Kiku ha Yae Shichinin Geshô". The seven sections were "Kanjo" (kanjo, the court lady), "Harukoma" (harukoma, a dance using a horse head look-alike puppet), "Wakashû Tanzen" (a boy in Tanzen style), "Keisei" (keisei, a high-ranking courtesan), "Yamagatsu" (the mountaineer), "Nuno-zarashi" (nuno-zarashi, the bleached cotton dance) and "Yari Odori" (yari odori, the spear dance).

11th lunar month of 1774: Morita Kan'ya VI retired, taking the name of Morita Yasosuke. He entrusted the management of the Moritaza to his son Morita Tarobê II, who took the name of Morita Kan'ya VII.

5th lunar month of 1776: the play "Maki Kaesu Mikari Soga", which originally mixed the "Gonin Otoko" world world with others characters, was performed at the Moritaza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
An no Heibei, Iba Jûzô Ichikawa Danjûrô V
Gokuin Sen'emon, Shume no Kokingo Bandô Mitsugorô I
Hotei Ichiemon, Oniô Ôtani Hiroji III
Kaminari Shôkurô, Naniwa Shirô Ôtani Hiroemon III
Karigane Bunshichi, Soga Gorô Ichikawa Monnosuke II

11th lunar month of 1776: Morita Matajirô took the name of Bandô Matakurô IV at the Moritaza.

1st lunar month of 1778: the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Daihanji, Iruka Ichikawa Danzô IV
Okishi, Medo-no-Kata Osagawa Tsuneyo II
Tachibanahime Nakamura Kumetarô II
Shibaroku, Motome, Koganosuke Sawamura Sôjûrô III
Hinadori Yoshizawa Iroha I
Fukashichi, Emiji Nakamura Sukegorô II
Omiwa, Sadaka Yamashita Kinsaku II

4th lunar month of 1780: first Kabuki adaptation of Utei Enba, Kijô Tarô and Yô Yôdai puppet theater drama "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi", which was written in the 1st lunar month of 1780. The play was produced in Edo at the Moritaza, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Yomosaku's wife Osayo, the keisei Miyagino, Jôetsu's sister Osagawa Tsuneyo II
The yakko Datesuke, Shinobu Ichikawa Yaozô III
The shôya Shichirobê, Daifukuya Sôroku, in reality Shimada Saburôbê Ichikawa Danzô IV
Uji Hyôbunosuke Jôetsu, in reality Kusunoki Masatsura Nakamura Nakazô I
Igaya Daishichi, Kumiya Yazaemon Nakajima Kanzaemon III
Marigase Shûya, Dojô Bandô Matatarô IV
Yamabuki Gozen Nakamura Rikô I
Kanae Tanigorô Bandô Matakurô IV
Kusunoki Masashige, Kusuhara Fuden Yamashina Shirojûrô

3rd lunar month of 1781: Ichikawa Danzô IV plays 7 roles (nanayaku) in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged at the Moritaza. Here was the list of roles: En'ya Hangan, Ôboshi Yuranosuke, Honzô's wife Tonase, Amakawaya Gihei, Yoichibê, Ono no Sadakurô and Ôwashi Bungo. This was the first time in Kabuki history that an actor played seven roles in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

4th lunar month of 1783: first Kabuki adaptation of Yô Yôdai's puppet theater drama "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie", which was written in 1782. The play was performed in Edo at the Moritaza, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Onoe Nakamura Kumejirô
Iwafuji Mikuni Fujigorô
Ohatsu Osagawa Tsuneyo II

8th lunar month of 1783: the zamoto Morita Kan'ya VII dies; Bandô Matakurô IV took the name of Morita Kan'ya VIII at the Moritaza and became the new manager of this theater.

11th lunar month of 1783: Bandô Kumajûrô I took the name of Sakata Hangorô III at the Moritaza.

26th day of the 12th lunar month of 1784 [4]: a fire broke out in the palace of a daimyô and destroyed the Moritaza.

1789 ~ 1797: the Moritaza went bankrupt and gave its license to the Kawarasakiza.

2nd lunar month of 1798: the Moritaza reopened with a program called "Ichikawa Danzô Machiuke Banashi" and starring Ichikawa Danzô IV.

9th lunar month of 1798: premiere at the Moritaza of the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Futa Omote Tsuki no Sugatae", which was based on the older dance "Shinobu-gusa Koi no Utsushie", which was originally staged in the 3rd lunar month of 1775 at the Nakamuraza [more details]. It starred Ichikawa Danzô IV in the role of the woman selling shinobu, who was in reality the ghost of both the evil Hôkaibô and Princess Nowake. This dance-drama ended the drama "Furisode Sumidagawa", which was a revival of Nagawa Shimesuke I's drama "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage".

1800 ~ 1808: the Moritaza went bankrupt and gave its license to the Kawarasakiza.

11th lunar month of 1801: Morita Kan'ya VIII and Morita Matakichi respectively took the names of Bandô Yasosuke I and Morita Kan'ya IX at the Kawarasakiza.

2nd day of the 10th lunar month of 1802 [12]: the zamoto Morita Matazaemon, who was Morita Kan'ya V from 1744 to 1751, died.

5th lunar month of 1808: the Moritaza reopened.

3rd lunar month of 1809: premiere at the Moritaza of Fukumori Kyûsuke I's drama "Sono Mukashi Koi no Edo-zome", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Yaoya Oshichi Iwai Hanshirô V
Dozaemon Denkichi, the white sake seller Kisuke Bandô Mitsugorô III
Nitta Shirô Tadatsune Ogino Izaburô II
Kichisaburô, Goshaku Somegorô Onoe Eizaburô I
Ebina Gunzô Arashi Kanjûrô I
Beniya Chôbê, Arai Genzô Shigekuni Sawamura Shirogorô II
Akazawa Jûnai Onoe Monzaburô II
Kamaya Buhê Arashi Shinpei IV
Osugi Ichikawa Dannosuke III
Arai Tôta Shigemune Hanai Saizaburô IV
Oshichi's mother Otake Ichikawa Monzaburô II

6th lunar month of 1809: premiere at the Moritaza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Okuni Gozen Keshô no Sugatami", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Tenjiku Tokubê, Dainichimaru, Tokuichi, Iwakura Yashamaru, Tosa Matahei Shigeoki, Fuwa Banzaemon, Kizugawa Yoemon, Kasane, Nagoya Sanza Motoharu Onoe Eizaburô I
Okuni Gozen, Tosa Shôgen Mitsunobu, Ukiyo Matahei, Chikujô Gedô, Jûroku Rakan Onoe Matsusuke I
Yotsugi Sehei, Tôroku Bandô Hikozaemon I
Suruga Zenji Hisakuni, Kasane's mother Myôrin, the waiting maid Takekawa Matsumoto Kojirô II
Nagoya Kosanza, Kanaya no Kingorô, Ashikaga Yoshimasa Morita Kan'ya IX
Oguri Sôtan, Hanyûya Sukeshirô Ichikawa Sôzaburô IV
Sasaki Toyowakamaru Onoe Asajirô
Kanô Shirôjirô Motonobu, Yabase Ryôsuke Hanai Saizaburô IV

3rd lunar month of 1813: premiere at the Moritaza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's play "Osome Hisamatsu Ukina no Yomiuri" (commonly called "Osome no Nanayaku", in English 'The Seven Roles of Osome'), which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Osome, Hisamatsu, Osaku, Takekawa, Osome's mother, Omitsu, Oroku Iwai Hanshirô V
Kimon no Kihê, Matsumotoya Sashirô Matsumoto Kôshirô V
Kyûsaku, the sarumawashi Sajibei Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Yamagaya Seibê Onoe Shinshichi II
The tedai Zenroku Sawamura Shirogorô II
Suzuki Yachûta Kiriyama Monji III
Aburaya Taroshichi Ichikawa Monzaburô II

6th lunar month of 1813: premiere at the Moritaza of the 8-role hengemono "Mata Koko-ni Sugata Hakkei"; the 8 roles were performed by Ichikawa Danjûrô VII. One of them, the one for the view "wild goose swooping down upon Katata in Autumn" ("Katata no Rakugan" in Japanese), has survived and became an independent popular dance item in the Kabuki repertoire, known under the titles of "Ômi no Okane", "Danjûrô Musume" (the Danjûrô Girl) or "Sarashima" (the Cloth-bleaching Girl). Another dance, less popular than "Ômi no Okane", which has survived as a Nagauta dance, was "Shin'en".

11th lunar month of 1813: premiere at the Moritaza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's kaomise drama "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma", which starred Onoe Shôroku I, Ichikawa Omezô I, Seki Sanjûrô II, Nakayama Tomisaburô I, Asao Yûjirô I, Ichikawa Dannosuke III, Nakamura Rikô II, Kirishima Giemon I, Ichikawa Sôzaburô IV, Hanai Saizaburô IV, Kataoka Matsusuke II and Ichikawa Tomozô II.

1st lunar month of 1814: premiere at the Moritaza of the Nagauta-based dance "Shôfudatsuki Kongen Kusazuri", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Soga Gorô Tokimune Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Kobayashi no Asahina Ichikawa Omezô I

11th lunar month of 1814: Morita Kan'ya IX produced at the Moritaza the kaomise drama "Fuyu Botan Yuki no Jinmaku". The theater went bankrupt and the performances stopped.

11th lunar month of 1814 ~ 10th lunar month of 1817: the Moritaza went bankrupt and gave its license to the Kawarasakiza.

11th lunar month of 1817: the Moritaza reopened; the opening program including the great dance-drama "Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Seki no To", starring Ichikawa Omezô I, Bandô Matajûrô, Morita Kan'ya IX and Azuma Tôzô IV in the roles of Kuronushi, Munesada, Komachi and the spirit of the cherry tree.

7th lunar month of 1818 ~ 10th lunar month of 1822: the Moritaza went bankrupt and gave its license to the Kawarasakiza.

11th lunar month of 1822: the Moritaza reopened; the opening program celebrated the shûmei of Iwai Shijaku I.

3rd lunar month of 1823: premiere at the Moritaza of the 5-role hengemono "Yamato Gana Tamuke no Itsumoji" [3]. The five roles were performed by Iwai Shijaku I.

Title Role Music
Ne-no-Hi no Komatsu-hiki Kanjo Nagauta
Jômi no Hina no Sakuragari ??? Tokiwazu
Tango no Kazari Ningyô Ushiwaka Ôzatsuma
Tanabata no Hoshi Matsuri Komori Kiyomoto
Chôyô Kiku no Hanagasa Furisode Musume Nagauta

5th lunar month of 1823 ~ 10th lunar month of 1833: the Moritaza went bankrupt and gave its license to the Kawarasakiza.

21st day of the 3rd lunar month of 1829 [5]: a fire broke out from the shop of Owariya Tokuemon, in the district of Kanda Sakuma-chô. It spread and destroyed the Edo theaters district. The Moritaza, the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza were burnt to ashes.

5th lunar month of 1830: Morita Kan'ya IX and Bandô Sanpachi III respectively took the names of Bandô Yasosuke and Morita Kan'ya X.

11th lunar month of 1833: the Moritaza reopened; the opening program "Shitennô Kabuki no Yorizome" starred Ichikawa Ebizô V, Bandô Mitsugorô III, Iwai Tojaku, Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII, Iwai Hanshirô VI, Sawamura Tosshô I, Iwai Kumesaburô III, Bandô Minosuke II, Bandô Tamasaburô I and Ôtani Tomoemon IV.

11th lunar month of 1835: Ichikawa Hakuzô I took the name of Ichikawa Kuzô II at the Moritaza.

4th lunar month of 1836: premiere at the Moritaza of the drama "Hakkenden Uwasa no Takadono", which was written by Takarada Jusuke and Mimasuya Shirô, included the "Narukami" scene, and was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Ôtsuka Shinjirô, Fukami Katsugorô, Inuta Kobungo Yasuyori, Inuyama Dôsetsu Tadatomo, Inuzuka Shino Moritaka, Inumura Kakutarô Masanori, Aboshi Samojirô, Tsuchida Dotarô, the wicked priest Narukami Ichikawa Ebizô V
Inue Shinbê, the monk Shakuunbô Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII
Inukai Genpachi Nobumichi, Inusaka Keno, Horiuchi Kurando Sadayuki, Yamabayashi Fusahachi, the monk Hakuunbô Ichikawa Kuzô II
Yamashita Sakuzaemon Sadakane, Yokobori Arimura, Ônuma hachirô, Hikiroku, Inukawa Sôsuke, Akaiwa Ikkaku, Inugawa Sôsuke, Ikkaku's wife Funamushi, the monk Kokuunbô Ichikawa Sumizô III
Makuwari Taiki Tsunetake, the shôya Hikiroku, Konaya Bungobei Ôtani Tomoemon IV
Princess Fuse, the ghost of Princess Fuse, Hamaji, Ohina, Fusahachi's wife Onui, Kakutarô's wife Hinaginu, Princess Taema Onoe Kikujirô II
Satomi Yoshizane, Higashiyama Yoshimasa Bandô Mitsugorô IV

11th lunar month of 1836: premiere at the Moritaza of the Kiyomoto-based dance-drama "Kurama Jishi Oshie no Hinagata", which was staged within in the kaomise drama "Kioi Genji Mitsugi no Tamamono". It starred Sawamura Tosshô I, Onoe Kikujirô II and Ichikawa Ebizô V.

10th lunar month of 1837 ~ 4th lunar month of 1856: the Moritaza went bankrupt and gave its license to the Kawarasakiza.

11th lunar month of 1850: Morita Kan'ya X retired and gave his name and the management of the closed Moritaza to Bandô Mitsugorô IV, who took the name of Morita Kan'ya XI at the Ichimuraza.

22 May 7th lunar month of 1851: Morita Kan'ya X died.

5th lunar month of 1856: the Moritaza reopened.

9th day of the 1st lunar month of 1858: a fire broke out in the third floor of the Moritaza and burnt the theater to ashes. It also destroyed the Ichimuraza.

11th lunar month of 1858: the Moritaza reopened; the ideogram for Mori was changed:

Old writing for Moritaza New writing
森田座 守田座

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

1st lunar month of 1860: the 1762 puppet drama "Kishi no Himematsu Kutsuwa Kagami" was adapted for the first time to Kabuki. It was integrated within the new year sogamono drama "Momo Chidori Nigiwai Soga" and the casting for the "Kishi Hime" part was :

Roles Actors
Iihara Hyôe Suekage Ichikawa Danzô VI
Yomosaku's musume Osoyo, Princess Yosooi Sawamura Tanosuke III
Asaina Saburô Yoshihide Ichikawa Ichizô III
Yomosaku Asao Yoroku II
Iihara Hyôe's wife Fujimaki Ichikawa Shinsha I
Iihara Hayatonosuke Ichikawa Kuzô III

5th lunar month of 1861: premiere of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ryû to Mimasu Takane no Kumokiri", which was staged at the Moritaza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
The tôzoku Kumokiri Nizaemon, the ingamonoshi Nozarashi Kobê, the daiku Sandan no Kisanta, the tôzoku Yamaneko Sanji, Kikyôya Gorobê Ichikawa Kodanji IV
The yûjo Chôjiya Kashiku, Bunzô's mekake Osono, Kiemon's nyôbô Otami Onoe Kikujirô II
Hiroshima Kurando Masanobu, the tôzoku Inga Kozô Rokunosuke, the anmatori Tennan, Furugôri Shinzaburô Ichikawa Ichizô III
The tôzoku Subashiri Kumagorô, the Ibarasawamura tedai Chûbê, the hannin Mitekure Gonji Nakamura Tsuruzô I
Bunzô's nyôbô Oteru, Tatsuta-no-Mae Nakamura Kamenojô I
Bunzaemon's musume Omitsu, Sentakuya's musume Okichi Bandô Mitsugorô VI
The tôzoku Osaraba Denji, the Ibarasawamura servant Kyûsuke Ichikawa Kuzô III
The Ômiya tedai Sôsuke, the tôzoku Kinezumi Kishigorô Arashi Hinasuke VI
Yûki Shichirô Tomomitsu Ichikawa Hakuen IV
Daruma no Chôji, the misemonoshi Rokubu no Kane Nakamura Ganpachi
Ômiya Kiemon, the kaizoku Kokura no Yoichi Ichikawa Yonejûrô II
The tôzoku Yokoshima no Heita, the misemonoshi Kenaga no Omame Ichikawa Kohanji I
The oshô Seichô, the Ômiya goke Ohaya Arashi Kangorô II
Tatsuta-no-Mae's tsubone Nishikido, the courtesan Ofuji Arashi Minshi IV
Satô Bunzaemon, the Ômiya tedai Kankurô Bandô Kumajûrô
Rokunosuke's brother Shichisaburô, Hitachinosuke Hirotada Nakamura Jijaku
Satô Bunzô, the ryôrinin Kinosuke Ichikawa Yonegorô

8th lunar month of 1861: premiere of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Sakura Sôshi Gonichi no Bundan", a revised version of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Higashiyama Sakura Sôshi", which was staged at the Moritaza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Asakura Tôgo, Katagiri Saizô, Kôzen Ichikawa Kodanji IV
The boatman Jinbei, Maboroshi no Chôkichi, Yamana Sôzen Nakamura Tsuruzô I
Orikoshi Masatomo, Ogata Nagatonosuke Ichikawa Kuzô III
Oshizu-no-Kata, Tôgo's wife Omine Onoe Kikujirô II
Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Kamimura Hayato Arashi Hinasuke VI
Yamanaka Shikanosuke, Hozumi Shinjûrô Ichikawa Ichizô III
Princess Kaoru Bandô Mitsugorô VI
Asakura Tôzaemon, Sakubê Ichikawa Yonejûrô II
Izutsu Onnanosuke, Umezu Kamon Nakamura Fukusuke II

10th lunar month of 1861: premiere at the Moritaza of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Zôho Futatsu Domoe", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
The farmer Yonesaku, Ishikawa Goemon Ichikawa Kodanji IV
Ashikaga Yoshiteru, Katanaya Hanshichi Nakamura Fukusuke II
Mashiba Hisayoshi, Iwaki Tômanojô Ichikawa Ichizô III
Gion no Oritsu, the keisei Fuyô, Goemon's wife Otaki, Kawashima no Omitsu Onoe Kikujirô II
Oda Harunaga, Urabe Suetake, Junrei Tanesaku, Gunsuke Arashi Hinasuke VI
Tatara Gyôbudayû Nakamura Tsuruzô I
Saeda Inukiyo Ichikawa Kuzô III
The keisei Usugumo, the katanaya daughter Ohana Bandô Mitsugorô VI
Sanigorobei, Onishi Yukinaga Ichikawa Yonejûrô II

8th lunar month of 1862: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kanzen Chôaku Nozoki Garakuri", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Murai Chôan, the Iseya bantô Kyûhachi Ichikawa Kodanji IV
Iseya Sentarô Nakamura Fukusuke II
Fujikake Dôjûrô, Ôdate Samanosuke Arashi Hinasuke VI
Jûbê's wife Osoyo Azuma Ichinojô I
Hayanori Sanji Nakamura Tsuruzô I
Dôjûrô's wife Oriyo Onoe Kikujirô II
The courtesan Sayoginu Bandô Mitsugorô VI
Kaisaka no Chûzô Ichikawa Ichizô III
The farmer Jûbê Nakamura Tsurusuke IV

8th lunar month of 1862: revival at the Moritaza of the drama "Miyajima no Danmari", with a new script written by Kawatake Mokuami and starring Ichikawa Kodanji IV in the leading roles of the courtesan Ukifune and the thief Kesatarô.

18th day of the 11th lunar month of 1863: Morita Kan'ya XI died.

21st day of the 4th lunar month of 1864 [13]: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Wakaba no Ume Ukina no Yokogushi", commonly called "Kirare Otomi" ("Scarface Otomi"). The drama ended with a Kiyomoto-based dance-drama, which was entitled "Inu Tsubasa Otomi Yosaburô". Both drama and dance-drama were staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kirare Otomi Sawamura Tanosuke III
Izutsu Yosaburô Sawamura Tosshô II
Akama Genzaemon Nakamura Shikan IV
Kômori Yasu Ichikawa Kuzô III
Izutsu Yozaemon Seki Sanjûrô III
Genzaemon's wife Otaki Nakamura Kamenojô I
Mirukui no Matsu Nakamura Kantarô
Funaho Kôjûrô Nakamura Nakatarô

22nd 4th lunar month of 1864 [14]: the following day after the premiere of "Wakaba no Ume Ukina no Yokogushi", a fire broke out in a Moritaza's shibai jaya; it quickly spread and burnt the Moritaza, the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

7th lunar month of 1864: the rebuilt Moritaza reopened with a program which was entitled "Chigusa Hana Masago no Shinbutai". Kawatake Shinshichi II's "Kirare Otomi" was staged with the same casting within this program, in a slightly revised version which was entitled "Musume Gonomi Ukina no Yokogushi". The Kiyomoto-based dance-drama was entitled "Aki no Iro Otomi Yosaburô".
It was also the premiere of the dance-drama "Iro Momiji Tsugiki no Futsutsuka", commonly called "Benikan", which was staged with Nakamura Shikan IV (in the role of Benikan), Sawamura Tanosuke III, Sawamura Tosshô II, Ichikawa Kuzô III, Bandô Tamasaburô II and Onoe Baikô.

11th lunar month of 1864: Morita Kanjirô III took the name of Morita Kan'ya XII.

2nd lunar month of 1866: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Fune-he Uchikomu Hashima no Shiranami" (commonly called "Ikake Matsu"), which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
The ikakeya Matsugorô Ichikawa Kodanji IV
Bunzô's mekake, later Matsugorô's nyôbô Osaki Onoe Kikujirô II
Shimaya Bunzô (in reality Bonji no Shingorô), Hanaya Sagobê Seki Sanjûrô III
Moritoya Sôjirô Sawamura Tosshô II
The Moritoya decchi Yonosuke Onoe Baikô
The Moritoya bantô Gorobê Ichikawa Kobunji I
Osaki's mother Otora Seki Utasuke I

3rd lunar month of 1870: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kusunoki-ryû Hanami no Makuhari" (commonly called "Keian Taiheiki" or "Marubashi Chûya"), which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Marigase Shûya, Ôtake Shozô Ichikawa Sadanji I
Uji Jôetsu, the ghost of Kusunoki Masashige, Masuda Hachiemon Nakamura Shikan IV
Budô Gorô Mitsukuni, Sekiguchi Hayato, Daikokuya Sôroku Onoe Kikugorô V
Kanai Tanigorô, Hosokawa Katsumoto, Hata Kaneuji, Kiura Nagasanosuke Sawamura Tosshô II
Shigejirô's sister Fujie, the ghost of Princess Nadeshiko, the yuna Kofuji (in reality Kurobê's sister Ofuji) Iwai Shijaku II
Uno Rokubê, Chiba Takuzaemon, the yumishi Sôshirô Nakamura Nakazô III
Shinroku's sister Omoto, Takuzaemon's daughter Oume, the yuna Osen Onoe Taganojô II
Takayasu Shigejirô, Takakichi (or Kôkichi?) Ichikawa Nedanji I
The gejo Osawa, the yuna Omura, Shûya's wife Osetsu Sawamura Kitô
Motoyoshi Shinroku, Fujinami Mondo Nakamura Fukusuke III

2nd lunar month of 1872: Iwai Shijaku II took the name of Iwai Hanshirô VIII at the Moritaza.

9th lunar month of 1872: the Moritaza left the district of Saruwaka-chô and was rebuilt in the district of Shintomi-chô. The building architecture was traditional but Morita Kan'ya XII made many changes:

  • No more yagura

  • Gas lighting within the theater

  • The new theater was bigger than the old one

  • Toilets within the theater
  • It had some seats for foreigners
  • Better visibility for the audience
  • Reduction of the number of shibai jaya (16 instead of 41)
  • 10th lunar month of 1872: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's zangirimono "Tsuki no En Masu no Igaguri", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Yosaburô Kawarasaki Gonnosuke VII
    Otomi, Seikichi's wife Onaka Iwai Hanshirô VIII
    Seikichi Nakamura Kanjaku III
    Tajimaya Tazaemon Nakamura Nakazô III
    Kômori no Yasuzô Ichikawa Nedanji I

    January 1875: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ôgi Byôshi Ôoka Seidan" (commonly called "Ten'ichibô"), which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Hôtaku (later Ten'ichibô), Hiraishi Jiemon Onoe Kikugorô V
    The farmer Hirano Jin'emon, Ôoka Echizen-no-Kami Tadasuke Bandô Hikosaburô V
    Yoshida Sangorô, Yamanouchi Iganosuke Ichikawa Sadanji I
    The Kannôin servant Kyûsuke, Tokugawa Tsunaeda, Ikeda Daisuke Nakamura Kanjaku III
    Matsudaira Izu-no-Kami Nakamura Shikan IV
    Oshimo Bandô Shûchô II
    The priest Tenchû Ôtani Monzô III
    Ôoka's okugata Ozawa Arashi Daizaburô IV
    Osan, Akagawa Daizen Nakamura Nakatarô
    Ôoka's son Tadaemon Yamazaki Sakimatsu

    February 1875: Morita Kan'ya XII created a stock company to manage his theater, which was renamed Shintomiza for this occasion.

    June 1876: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Hototogisu Date no Kikigaki", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Katagiri Kojûrô, Sadô Chinga, Kannami Sanzaemon (in reality Narukami Mineemon) Onoe Kikugorô V
    Hosokawa Naizen-no-Kami, Shiozawa Tanzaburô, Isshiki Sakyônosuke, the menoto Masaoka Sawamura Tosshô II
    Matsugae Tetsunosuke, Kido Kahei, Ôe Hiromoto Nakamura Shikan IV
    Taishu Yoshimune, Serada Kai, the fish merchant Goheiji, Dairyô Kômon Bandô Hikosaburô V
    Asahino Yagorô, Karagi Wasuke, Aranami Kajinosuke Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Goheiji's musume Otsuru, the tsubone Kuretake, Yamana's okugata Sakasai Bandô Shûchô
    Kamura Tsuboki-no-Kami, Kurata Jingobei, Kondô Tatewaki Ichikawa Nedanji I
    Omura, the koshimoto Wakaba Sawamura Seijûrô II
    Watanabe Ginpei, Matsuura Shume Nakamura Arajirô
    Yoshimune's mekake Otaka-no-Kata, the Miuraya keisei Takao, the tsubone Sawada Arashi San'emon X
    Tada Gyôbu, Yamana Hida-no-Kami Ôtani Monzô III
    Kahei's nyôbô Otoyo, the old woman Sawanoi, Katagiri's okugata Mayumi Arashi Daizaburô IV
    The tsubone Nishikigi, Kahei's musume Oume, Ochô Nakamura Kiyosaburô IV
    Masaoka's son Chiyomatsu Sawamura Genpei III
    Tsuruchiyo Onoe Kikunosuke II
    Kamewakamaru Nakamura Kotarô I

    28 November 1876: a fire broke out in the district of Sukiya-chô and destroyed both the Nakabashiza and the Shintomiza.

    June 1878: the Shintomiza reopened, more modern than the first one.

    October 1878: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Jitsugetsusei Kyôwa Seidan", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    The travelling actor Miyagawa Ushinosuke (later the priest Enmeiin Nittô), the hinin Oguri no Umakichi Onoe Kikugorô V
    Sasagawa Kôjûrô, Nomura Kuranoshin (in reality thief Akatsuki Hoshiemon), Ôzakaya Kihachi (in reality the thief Akatsuki Hoshiemon) Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    The tobi Tsukimi no Bunji Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Rokubê's daughter Okoro, Aoi Gozen, Kihachi's nyôbô Omaki Iwai Hanshirô VIII
    Akisaka Awaji-no-Kami Nakamura Sôjûrô
    Naniwaya Sôemon, Ômu no Ryûzô (later the priest Ryûzen) Nakamura Nakazô III
    Arakuma no Kurozô Onoe Umegorô
    Hoshiemon's henchman Senta, Ôzakaya Senkichi Ichikawa Kodanji V
    The travelling actor Miyagawa Ushizô, the hinin Shichibê, the hikite jaya kôshitsu Okise Nakamura Tsuruzô II
    The okujochû Kumemura Iwai Chôji
    The daughter of the Naniwaya Oai Onoe Kikunosuke II
    The okujochû Miyuki Sawamura Seijûrô II
    Ômiya Tsunesaburô Bandô Kakitsu I
    The okujochû Katsuragi Iwai Kumesaburô IV
    The okujochû Takekawa, in reality Kôjûrô's sister Omura, Shichibê's daughter Otake Iwai Komurasaki III
    The Naniwaya bantô Zenroku, Amazake no Osute Bandô Kichiroku
    The Ômiya nyôbô Omisa Iwai Shigematsu

    February 1879: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ningen Banji Kane no Yo no Naka", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Efu Rinnosuke Onoe Kikugorô V
    Keori Gorôemon Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Sunada Utsuzô, the rice merchant Takayasu Tokushirô Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Oran's niece Okura Iwai Hanshirô VIII
    Henmi Seizaemon Nakamura Nakazô III
    The Mondo tedai Tôtarô Bandô Kakitsu I
    Seizaemon's daughter Oshina Ichikawa Kodanji V
    Seizaemon's wife Oran Nakamura Tsuruzô II
    Garata Usuemon Ichikawa Dan'emon I

    16 July 1879: gala night at the Shintomiza in the honor of the General Ulysses S. Grant, who ended his world tour with a stop in Japan. The theater was decorated with American flags and the main item in the program was a drama, which was specially written by Kawatake Mokuami to celebrate the victor of the American Civil War. This war was transposed to the Japanese 11th century, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee becoming Minamoto no Yoshiie and Kiyohara no Takehira, two enemy warriors of the gosannen. This drama was entitled "Gosannen Ôshû Gunki" and had a 5-star casting: Ichikawa Danjûrô IX (Minamoto no Yoshiie), Nakamura Sôjûrô (Kiyohara no Takehira), Iwai Hanshirô VIII, Ichikawa Sadanji I, Nakamura Nakazô III, Bandô Kakitsu I and Ichikawa Kodanji V. The program ended with a shosagoto, which starred Onoe Kikugorô V, Ichikawa Sadanji I and Bandô Kakitsu I.

    September 1879: the zamoto Morita Kan'ya XII produced at the Shintomiza an original play "Hyôryû Kidan Seiyô Kabuki" ("A strange story about drifters and Western Kabuki"!), written by Kawatake Shinshichi II and staged with some Western actors. The plot was about the adventures of a group of Japanese in Europe and in the USA. The play included several Italian-style operettas, which disconcerted the audience [1].

    March 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's masterpiece "Kumo ni Magou Ueno no Hatsuhana", performed with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Kôchiyama Sôshun Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Kataoka Naojirô Onoe Kikugorô V
    Namiji, Michitose Iwai Hanshirô VIII
    Kaneko Ichinojô Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Katagi Kozaemon Nakamura Sôjûrô
    Lord Matsue Bandô Kakitsu I
    Kurayami no Ushimatsu, Miyazaki Kazuma Ichikawa Kodanji V
    Jôga Onoe Umegorô
    Izumiya Seibê Nakamura Tsurusuke V
    Kitamura Daizen, Jôshûya's bantô Den'emon, Ôguchi's bantô Kyûbê Ichikawa Dan'emon I

    June 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's jidaimono "Youchi Soga Kariba no Akebono", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Soga Gorô Tokimune, Kudô Saemon Suketsune Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Minamoto no Yoritomo Nakamura Sôjûrô
    Oniô Shinzaemon (Jûrô's retainer) Onoe Kikugorô V
    Danzaburô (Gorô's retainer) Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Wada no Yoshimori Nakamura Shikan IV
    Gosho no Goromaru Fuyuyasu Ichikawa Kodanji V
    Kisegawa no Kametsuru Iwai Hanshirô VIII

    June 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's dance-drama "Tsuchi-gumo", which was staged to commemorate the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Kikugorô III. The dance was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    The priest Chichû, the spirit of the ground spider Onoe Kikugorô V
    A Kyôgen performer, Gunnai Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Kochô Onoe Kikunosuke II
    Hirai Yasumasa Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Minamoto Raikô Bandô Kakitsu I
    Usui Sadamitsu Onoe Matsusuke IV
    Watanabe Tsuna Ichikawa Kodanji V

    November 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono drama "Shima Chidori Tsuki no Shiranami", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Akashi no Shimazô, later Akashiya Shimazô Onoe Kikugorô V
    Matsushima Senta Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Benten Oteru, later Mochizuki's wife Oteru Iwai Hanshirô VIII
    Mochizuki Akira Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    The rikisha Yashû Toku, Oteru's mother Sokkin Oichi Onoe Matsusuke IV
    The Akashiya decchi Santa Bandô Takematsu
    The Mochizuki gejo Osei Sawamura Seijûrô II
    Shimazô's sister Ohama Bandô Shûchô II
    The Fukushimaya musume Onaka Nakamura Fukusuke IV
    Shimazô's son Iwamatsu Onoe Kikunosuke II
    The rikisha Shimôsa no Matsu Ichikawa Masuzô III
    The ryôshi Isoemon Ichikawa Dan'emon I

    January 1883: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Medeshi Yanagi Midori no Matsumae", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Yagyû Matajûrô Ichikawa Udanji I
    Yagyû Tajima-no-Kami Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Matsumae Gorobei Onoe Kikugorô V
    Ôkubo Hikozaemon Nakamura Nakazô III

    April 1883: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's Nagauta-based matsubamemono "Ibaraki", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Mashiba, the demon of Mount Atago Onoe Kikugorô V
    Watanabe Genji Tsuna Ichikawa Sadanji I

    November 1885: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's Nagauta-based matsubamemono "Funa Benkei", which was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Shizuka Gozen, the spirit of Taira no Tomomori Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Benkei Ichikawa Sadanji I
    The captain of the boat Mihodayû Nakamura Shikan IV
    The boatman Mondo Iwamatsu Nakamura Fukusuke IV
    Yoshitsune Ichikawa Ebizô VIII

    October 1887: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's matsubamemono "Momijigari", which mixed Tokiwazu, Takemoto and Nagauta musical accompaniments and was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Princess Sarashina, in reality the ogress of Mount Togakushi Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Taira no Koremochi Ichikawa Sadanji I
    The Mountain God Nakamura Shikan IV

    July 1890: a special 2-day gala program starring Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and entitled Mimasukai. "Kiyomasa Seichûroku", a revised version in 3 acts of Kawatake Shinshichi III's 1875 drama "Minori no Aki Seishô Denki", was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Katô Kiyomasa, Tokugawa Ieyasu Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
    Ikeda Terumasa Ichikawa Kodanji V
    Asano Yoshinaga Ichikawa Sumizô V
    Sakakibara Yasumasa Ichikawa Sadanji I
    Katagiri Katsumoto Ichikawa Gonjûrô
    Toyotomi Hideyori Ichikawa Botan
    Yodogimi Ichikawa Shôjaku II

    Fall 1891: the management of the theater was transferred to Fukano Eiji, who renamed the theater Fukanoza.

    November 1891: the title "Oto ni Kiku Tenjiku Tokubê" was used for the first time, in Tôkyô at the Fukanoza, and it was staged with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    The sendô Tenjiku Tokubê, Dainichimaru, Fuwa Banzaemon, the zatô Tokuichi Onoe Kikugorô V
    Yoshioka Sôkan, Moku Sôkan Onoe Matsusuke IV
    Nagoya Sanza Bandô Kakitsu I
    Sasaki Katsuranosuke Onoe Kikunosuke II
    Sanza's wife Katsuragi Onoe Eizaburô V
    The yakko Isohei Onoe Kôzô II
    Sodegaki Onoe Fujaku VII
    Hosokawa Masamoto Bandô Hikojûrô I

    January 1894: last performances at the Fukanoza.

    February 1894: the Fukanoza was renamed Shintomiza.

    August 1894: because of many financial difficulties, Morita Kan'ya XII had to hand over the management of the Shintomiza. He kept on working as a producer.

    October 1895: last performances at the Shintomiza.

    January 1896: the Shintomiza was renamed Miyakoza.

    April 1897: last performances at the Miyakoza.

    July 1897: the Miyakoza was renamed Shintomiza; last performances produced by Morita Kan'ya XII at the Shintomiza.

    August 1897: Morita Kan'ya XII (1846~1897) died.

    November 1906: took the name of Morita Kan'ya XIII at the Shintomiza.

    1909: the Shintomiza was purchased by the powerful Shôchiku Company.

    May 1910: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" was staged for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Shintomiza with the following casting:

    Roles Actors
    Kawachiya Yohê Jitsukawa Enjirô I
    Okichi Nakamura Fukunosuke V
    Osawa Arashi Rikaku IV
    Tokubê Onoe Usaburô II
    Okachi Nakamura Gandô I
    Moriemon Arashi Kichisaburô VI
    Shichizaemon Ichikawa Takijûrô III

    October 1914: premiere at the Shintomiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Sasaki Takatsuna". The role of Sasaki Takatsuna was played by Ichikawa Sadanji II.

    November 1918: premiere at the Shintomiza of Matsui Shôyô's drama "Yodogimi". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

    June 1921: premiere at the Shintomiza of Takayasu Gekkô's drama "Daigo no Haru". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

    February 1922: premiere at the Shintomiza of Yamazaki Shikô's drama "Hatsushiraga". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

    September 1923: the Shintomiza was destroyed during the powerful earthquake called Kantô Daijishin, which hit Tôkyô and killed more than 200,000 people. This theater was not rebuilt.

    Notes

    [1] This original performance was a complete commercial failure.

    [2] This was the beginning of a custom which is still somehow observed nowadays.

    [3] The 4th role, the komori, is still in the Kabuki repertoire ("Komori").

    [4] The 26th day of the 12th lunar month of the 4th year of the Tenmei era was the 5th of February 1785 in the western calendar.

    [5] The 21st day of the 3rd lunar month of the 12th year of the Bunsei era was the 24th of April 1829 in the western calendar.

    [6] The 14th day of the 1st lunar month of the 3rd year of the Manji era was the 24th of February 1660 in the western calendar.

    [7] The 27th day of the 1st lunar month of the 4th year of the Manji era was the 26th of February 1661 in the western calendar.

    [8] The 25th day of the 6th lunar month of the 5th year of the Enpô era was the 24th of July 1677 in the western calendar.

    [9] The 25th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 7th year of the Enpô era was the 5th of April 1679 in the western calendar.

    [10] The 7th day of the 1st lunar month of the 2nd year of the Kyôhô era was the 17th of February 1717 in the western calendar.

    [11] The 23rd day of the 11th lunar month of the 6th year of the Hôreki era was the 14th of December 1756 in the western calendar.

    [12] The 2nd day of the 10th lunar month of the 2nd year of the Kyôwa era was the 28th of October 1802 in the western calendar.

    [13] The 21st day of 4th lunar month of the 1st year of the Genji era was the 26th of May 1864 in the western calendar.

    [14] The 22nd day of 4th lunar month of the 1st year of the Genji era was the 27th of May 1864 in the western calendar.

    The Moritaza backstages in the 11th lunar month of 1812
     
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