Stage names:

Asao Yoroku II
Yamamura Takumi II
Asao Hangorô

Other name:

Nickname: Ômi Yoroku

Guild: Asadaya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Poetry names: Ippo, Baikô

Existence: 1821 ~ 8th day of the 10th lunar month of 1862

Connection:

Master: Asao Yoroku I

Disciple: Asao Yoroku III

Career:

1821 ~ 1840s: born in the province of Ômi. He starts his career in Kamigata as a disciple of Asao Yoroku I, who gives him the name of Asao Hangorô.

1847: Asao Hangorô takes the name of Yamamura Takumi II.

9th day of the 12th lunar month of 1851: his master Asao Yoroku I dies.

1854: Yamamura Takumi II takes the name of Asao Yoroku II.

3rd lunar month of 1855: Yoroku settles in Edo.

1st lunar month of 1857: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Nezumi Komon Haru no Shingata" (commonly called "Nezumi Kozô"); Yoroku plays the roles of Miura Hyôbunosuke, the ashigaru Gonpei and the tsujiban Yosobê [casting].

7th lunar month of 1857: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ami Moyô Tôro no Kikukiri" (commonly called "Kozaru Shichinosuke"); Yoroku plays the roles of Kuraganoya Gohê and Shibukawa Gunjûrô [casting].

3rd lunar month of 1858: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Edo Zakura Kiyomizu Seigen"; the nibanme of this drama is now entitled "Kurotegumi Kuruwa no Tatehiki" in the Kabuki repertoire (commonly called "Kurotegumi Sukeroku"); Yoroku plays the roles of the rônin Sagohei and Monbei [more details].

1st lunar month of 1859: Yoroku's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, jitsuaku/katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-hankichi (superior - superior - half excellent).

1st lunar month of 1860: the 1762 puppet drama "Kishi no Himematsu Kutsuwa Kagami" (commonly called "Kishi Hime") is adapted for the first time to Kabuki, in Edo at the Moritaza; it is integrated within the new year sogamono "Momo Chidori Nigiwai Soga" and Yoroku plays the role of Yomosaku [casting].

8th lunar month of 1862: Yoroku appears on stage for the last time, at the Nakamuraza, where he plays the role of Katanaya Kizaemon in the drama "Toki-ha Ima Yakko no Ukejô".

8th day of the 10th lunar month of 1862: Yoroku dies in Edo (according to some sources, he dies the 13th instead of the 8th). His tombstone is located in the precincts of the Honryûji temple in the district of Imado.

Comments:

Asao Yoroku II was a 19th century jitsuaku/katakiyaku actor, who was trained in Kamigata but who spent the best years of his career in Edo, where he was appreciated in supporting villain roles. If we look at "Kanadehon Chûshingura", his master Asao Yoroku I performed the prestigious role of Kô no Moronô, whereas Asao Yoroku II performed roles like Ono no Kudayû.

Asao Yoroku II playing the role of Soreiichi (?) in the play "Hanagatami Gojûsan Tsugi",
which was staged in the 3rd lunar month of 1860 at the Moritaza
(print made by Utagawa Toyokuni III)

Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1857

Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1858

The Asao Yoroku line of actors