Stage names:
Suketakaya Takasuke IV
Sawamura Tosshô II
Sawamura Gempei II
Others names:
Sawamura Sôjûrô VI
Sawamura Tosshi VI
Guild: Kinokuniya
Line number: YODAIME (IV)
Poetry names: Kôga, Tosshi (6)
Existence: 1838 ~ 2 February 1886
Connections:
Father: Sawamura Sôjûrô V
Brother: Sawamura Tanosuke III
Adopted sons: Sawamura Sôjûrô VII, Sawamura Tosshi VII, Sawamura Gempei III
Disciple: Sawamura Shirogorô IV
Career:
11th lunar month of 1842: he makes his first appearance on stage, at the Nakamuraza, where he receives the name of Sawamura Gempei II.
1st lunar month of 1854: Sawamura Gempei II takes the name of Sawamura Tosshô II at the Nakamuraza, playing in the new year drama "Matsu Ichô Tsurukame Soga".
3rd lunar month of 1860: Tosshô plays at the Naka no Shibai (Ôsaka) the roles of Konami and Ishidô Umanojô in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
4th lunar month of 1864: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Wakaba no Ume Ukina no Yokogushi" (commonly called "Kirare Otomi", in English "Scarface Otomi"); Tosshô plays the role of Yosaburô [casting].
Summer 1869: tour in Shizuoka.
7th lunar month of 1872: premiere at the Murayamaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's dance "Renjishi", which stars Bandô Hikosaburô V and Tosshô in the roles of the spirits of Lions (parent and cub).
October 1874: premiere at the Kawarazakiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kumo no Ueno San'e no Sakumae"; Tosshô plays the role of Kaneko Ichinojô [casting].
May 1879: Sawamura Tosshô II takes the name of Suketakaya Takasuke IV at the Shintomiza, playing the role of Nagoya Sanza Motoharu in the drama "Mukashi Moyô Sato no Sayaate"; the role of Fuwa Banzaemon Shigekatsu (Sanza's rival in the sayaate scene) is played by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX.
August 1879: Takasuke takes part in the opening ceremony of the Hisamatsuza [details]. He is the zagashira of this new theater.
March 1884: premiere at the Harukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Chûjô Hime Taima Engi"; Takasuke plays the role of Princess Chûjô [casting].
October 1885: Takasuke and Sawamura Tosshi VII go together to Nagoya, to celebrate the the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial service) of the death of Sawamura Sôjûrô V.
January 1886: Takasuke appears on stage for the last time, in Nagoya at the Chitoseza. He suddenly falls ill during the performance and dies in February.
Comments:
Suketakaya Takasuke IV was the worthy heir of his father Sawamura Sôjûrô V, excelling in wagotoshi, wajitsu or onnagata roles. He shared the stage with the Meiji giants Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Onoe Kikugorô V. He posthumously received the name of Sawamura Sôjûrô VI.
The actor Suketakaya Takasuke IV playing the role of the Princess Chûjô in the drama "Chûjô Hime Taima Engi", which was staged in March 1884 in Tôkyô at the Harukiza (print made by Toyohara Kunichika)
Print made by Toyohara Kunichika
Print made by Utagawa Yoshiiku in 1867
Print made by Toyohara Kunichika in 1873
Print made by Toyohara Kunichika in 1877
Print made by Toyohara Kunichika in 1884
Print made by Toyohara Kunichika in 1885
The Sawamura Tosshi line of actors
The Sawamura Gempei line of actors
The Sawamura Tosshô line of actors
The Suketakaya Takasuke line of actors