NAKAMURA GANJIRÔ I

1860 ~ 1872: born in Ôsaka in the district of Shinmachi (a pleasure quarter). His mother was Otae, the daughter of the owner of the prestigious ageya Ôgiya, the most respected establishment in Shinmachi. His father was the young actor Arashi Kakuzô I, married to Otae on the condition that he would retire from acting and would take care of the ageya business. His mother's family separated him from his father (who returned to stage) at the age of three and the Ôgiya went bankrupt at the beginning of the Meiji era.

1872: the dance master Yamamura Tomogorô II introduced him to the actor Jitsukawa Enjaku I, who accepted to train him.

8th lunar month of 1872: he received the name of Jitsukawa Tamatarô.

May 1873: Jitsukawa Tamatarô took the name of Jitsukawa Ganjirô.

1875 ~ 1877: Ganjirô left temporarily the Kabuki world to become a Bunraku puppeteer called Yoshida Tamatarô.

1877: reunion with his father Nakamura Kanjaku III.

March 1878: he took the name of Nakamura Ganjirô I, performing with his father in the drama "Seinan Yume Monogatari", which was staged in Ôsaka at the Ebisuza.

3 February 1881: his father Nakamura Kanjaku III died.

June 1881: Ganjirô played at the Naka no Shibai the role of Otomi in the drama "Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Yosaburô was played by Bandô Jusaburô II.

June 1882: Ganjirô played at the Kitagawa no Shibai the roles of Kojirô, Atsumori and Yoshitsune in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

December 1882: tour in Kuwana; Ganjirô performed at the Nakajimaza.

October 1884: Ganjirô played at the Ebisuza (Ôsaka) the role of Hayase Genjirô in the drama "Tengajaya-mura"; his stage partners were Arashi Kitsusaburô IV (Hayase Iori), Arashi Rikan IV (Motoemon), Jitsukawa Enjaku I (Adachi Yasuke, Ningyôya Kôemon) and Ichikawa Aragorô III (Tôma Saburôemon).

February 1885: Ganjirô played for the first time the role of Kamiya Jihê, in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima", staged in Ôsaka at the Ebisuza; the roles of Koharu and Magoemon were played by Arashi Rikô and Arashi Kichisaburô V.

18 September 1885: his master Jitsukawa Enjaku I died.

January 1886: Ganjirô played for the first time the role of Kameya Chûbê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai", which was staged in Ôsaka at the Tenma no Shibai.

February 1886: Ganjirô played at the Ebisuza the role of Magoemon in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Kamiya Jihê was played by Jitsukawa Enzaburô III.

December 1886: Ganjirô played at the Kado no Shibai the role of Shizuka Gozen in the "Shi-no-Kiri" scene of the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also performed as a singer during the "Sushiya" scene, in duo with Ichikawa Udanji I as a shamisen player.

October 1888: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza the role of Otomi in the drama "Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Yosaburô was played by Ichikawa Udanji I.

April 1889: Ganjirô played in Ôsaka at the Naniwaza the roles of Masaoka and Ohan in the dramas "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" and "Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami"; the role of Ohan's lover Chôemon was played by Nakamura Sôjûrô.

October 1889: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the roles of Koganosuke and Omiwa in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin".

March 1890: Ganjirô played at the Kado no Shibai the role of Jûjirô in the drama "Ehon Taikôki"; the role of Mitsuhide was played by Ichikawa Udanji I.

April 1890: Ganjirô played in the same theater the role of Osono in the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"; the role of Rokusuke was played by Nakamura Fukusuke III.

May 1890: Ganjirô went to Tôkyô for the first time in his career and achieved a great success at the Shintomiza by playing the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

July 1890: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Ohan and Chôkichi in the drama "Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami"; the role of Ohan's lover Obiya Chôemon was played by Nakamura Fukusuke III.

October 1890: Ganjirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Kinshôjo in the drama "Kokusen'ya Gassen"; the roles of Watônai and Kanki were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Bandô Kakitsu I.

November 1890: short tour in Sendai with Ichikawa Danjûrô IX. Then, Ganjirô went to Nagoya and played at the Suehiroza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

December 1890: Ganjirô was back in Kyôto.

January 1891: Ganjirô played at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Kan Shôjô, Sakuramaru and Takebe Genzô in the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

March 1891: Ganjirô played in the same theater the role of the sumô wrestler Hanaregoma Chôkichi in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; his stage partner in the role of the sumô wrestler Nuregami Chôgorô was Kataoka Gadô III.

December 1891: Ganjirô played in Kyôto at the Tokiwaza the roles of Ohan and Chôkichi in the drama "Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami"; the role of Ohan's lover Obiya Chôemon was played by Nakamura Fukusuke III. Ganjirô also played the role of Jûjirô in the drama "Ehon Taikôki".

January 1892: Ganjirô played for the first time the role of Yuranosuke in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged at the Kado Gekijô; he also played in the same drama 3 others roles (Ono Sadakurô, Kakogawa Honzô and Sagisaka Bannai). Ganjirô also played the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

March 1893: Ganjirô and Onoe Kikugorô V perform together at the Kadoza in the drama "Benten Kozô"; Ganjirô played the role of Tadanobu Rihei.

May 1893: Ganjirô played the role of Tôkichi (Mashiba Hisayoshi) in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki", which was coproduced by both the Kadoza and the Naniwaza. The roles of Princess Yuki and Matsunaga Daizen were played by Arashi Ganshô and Kataoka Gadô III.

February 1894: Ganjirô played in Kyôto at the Tokiwaza the roles of Sôma Tarô, Oryû and Tadanobu in "Sôma Tarô", "Sanjûsangendô Munagi no Yurai" and "Kitsune Tadanobu".

May 1894: Ganjirô played at the Kadoza the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Onoe Taminosuke.

November 1894: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the roles of Yuranosuke (replacing Kataoka Gadô III), Momonoi Wakasanosuke, Hayano Kanpei and Ishidô Umanojô in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura". He also played the roles of Torazô and Kuzu-no-Ha in the jidaimono "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki" and "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".

January 1895: Ganjirô played for the first time the role of Matahei in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Hangonkô", which was staged in Ôsaka at the Bentenza; the role of Otoku, Matahei's wife, was played by Onoe Taminosuke.

May 1895: Ganjirô played at the Bentenza the roles of Karaki Masaemon and Tamaya Shinbê in the dramas "Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku" and "Sannin Shinbê" ("The Three Shinbê"); the roles of Matsuo Shinbê and Demura Shinbê were played by Kataoka Ichizô III and Nakamura Fukusuke III.

December 1895: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" and "Ninokuchi-mura" scenes of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Magoemon were played by Arashi Ganshô and Arashi Kichisaburô V.

September 1896: Ganjirô played for the first time the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki", which was staged at the Naka Gekijô; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Arashi Ganshô and Nakamura Naritarô I.

November 1896: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

November ~ December 1896: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) and Iwafuji in the dramas "Chô Chidori Soga Monogatari", "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" ("Hikimado") and "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie".

November ~ December 1897: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"; he also played at the Minamiza (Kyôto) the roles of Sasaki Moritsuna and Magoemon in the dramas "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata" and "Shinjû Ten no Amijima".

March 1898: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kameya Chûbê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai".

June 1898: the play "Rôben Sugi no Yurai", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in February 1887 in Ôsaka, was adapted for Kabuki for the first time and staged at the Minamiza; Ganjirô played the role of the priest Rôben [more details].

July 1898: Ganjirô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Naritarô I and Nakamura Fukusuke III. He also played the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Nakamura Fukusuke III and Nakamura Naritarô I.

September 1898: Ganjirô played at the Aioiza (Kôbe) the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" (same casting as the July performance).

March 1899: Ganjirô played in Kyôto at the Tokiwaza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

February 1900: Ganjirô played in Nagoya at the Misonoza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa, Oen and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Arashi Ganshô, Nakamura Masajirô II and Onoe Taminosuke.

October 1900: Ganjirô played for the last time the role of Magoemon, in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima", which was staged at the Nakaza.

January 1901: Ganjirô played in Kôbe at the Aioiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

March 1902: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

June 1902: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

September 1903: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Arashi Kichisaburô VI and Nakamura Tamashichi II.

December 1903: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Arashi Kichisaburô VI and Jitsukawa Enjirô I.

October 1904: Ganjirô played in Ôsaka at the Bentenza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" and "Ninokuchi-mura" scenes of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa, Tanbaya Hachiemon and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Tamashichi II, Onoe Uzaburô II and Arashi Rikaku IV.

July 1905: Ganjirô played in Ôsaka at the Bentenza the role of Yoshitsune in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki". The role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane is played by Nakamura Shikan V.

November 1905: Ganjirô played in Ôsaka at the Bentenza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

December 1905: Ganjirô played in Kyôto at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

March 1906: premiere in Ôsaka at the Nakaza of Watanabe Katei's wankyûmono drama "Wankyû Sue no Matsuyama"; Ganjirô played the role of Wan'ya Kyûbê.

October 1906: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Onoe Baikô VI. He also played the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Baikô VI.

December 1906: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Arashi Ganshô and Jitsukawa Enzaburô V.

February 1907: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the roles of Kameya Chûbê and Magoemon in the "Fûin Giri" and "Ninokuchi-mura" scenes of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Arashi Ganshô and Nakamura Fukusuke III.

October 1907: premiere at the Kadoza of Watanabe Katei's chûshinguramono "Tsuchiya Chikara"; Ganjirô played the role of Tsuchiya Chikara [more details].

January 1908: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

December 1908: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima".

October 1909: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also played the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Shikan V and Ichikawa Ennosuke I.

November 1909: Ganjirô played at the Suehiroza (Nagoya) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

January 1910: Ganjirô played at the Naka Gekijô the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

February 1910: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza (Kôbe) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also played the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Jitsukawa Enzaburô V.

June 1910: tour in Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Kokura; Ganjirô played the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

July 1910: tour in Hiroshima; Ganjirô played the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

November 1910: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Tanbaya Hachiemon in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Kameya Chûbê and Umegawa were played by Jitsukawa Enjirô I and Nakamura Naritarô I.

May 1911: Ganjirô played at the Shintomiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

July 1911: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Nakamura Baigyoku II and Onoe Baikô VI.

December 1911: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

January 1912: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Ichikawa Ichizô IV.

March 1912: Ganjirô played in Hamamatsu at the Kabukiza and in Nagoya at the Suehiroza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" and "Ninokuchi-mura" scenes of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

May 1912: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Naritarô I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

January 1914: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

November 1914: Ganjirô played at the Shintomiza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

December 1914: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

January 1915: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

October 1915: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

December 1915: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima". He also played the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

February 1916: Ganjirô played at the Shintomiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Nakamura Utaemon V. Ganjirô also played the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

June 1916: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Danshirô II.

December 1916: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

March 1917: Ganjirô played in Nagoya at the Misonoza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

April 1917: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima".

March 1918: Ganjirô played at the Shintomiza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Nakamura Baigyoku II and Nakamura Kaisha.

November 1918: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Baigyoku II.

February 1919: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Kaisha. Ganjirô also played the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

May 1919: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza the role of Katsuyori in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô"; his stage partners in the roles of Princess Yaegaki and Nureginu were Nakamura Jakuemon III and Nakamura Kaisha.

October 1919: premiere at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) of the drama "Tôjûrô no Koi", a drama inspired by the life of the actor Sakata Tôjûrô I; Ganjirô played the role of Sakata Tôjûrô I [more details].

November 1919: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Onoe Tamizô III and Nakamura Kaisha.

December 1919: Ganjirô played in Kyôto at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Jakuemon III and Nakamura Baigyoku II. He also played the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" (same casting as the November performance).

January 1920: Ganjirô played at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

February 1920: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

April 1920: Ganjirô played in Tokushima at the Shintomiza and in Kôbe at the Chûô Gekijô the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Ichikawa Ichizô IV and Nakamura Kaisha.

April 1921: Ganjirô played at the Shintomiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

June 1921: Ganjirô played at the Chûô Gekijô (Kôbe) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Baigyoku II.

December 1921: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Jakuemon III.

January 1922: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

October 1922: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu, Osan and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Jakuemon III, Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Ichizô IV.

November 1922: Ganjirô played at the Shintomiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu, Osan and Gozaemon were played by Nakamura Jakuemon III, Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Ebijûrô VII.

June 1923: Ganjirô played in Kyôto at the Minamiza and in Gifu at the Shôchikuza the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu, Osan and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Jakuemon III, Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Ichizô IV.

February 1924: Ganjirô played in Nagoya at the Misonoza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

May 1924: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

June 1924: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

October 1924: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Ichikawa Ichizô IV and Nakamura Kaisha.

November 1924: Ganjirô played at the Shôchiku Gekijô (Kôbe) the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima".

December 1924: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

January 1925: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

March 1925: Ganjirô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) and at the Shôchiku Gekijô (Kôbe) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

December 1925: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

January 1926: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

April 1926: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

November 1926: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Chûsha VII.

February 1927: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

March 1927: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Nakamura Kaisha.

June 1927: Ganjirô played at the Yachiyoza (Kôbe) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima".

December 1927: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Baikô VI.

March 1928: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

May 1928: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

June 1928: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

November 1928: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu, Osan and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Kaisha, Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Jitsukawa Enjaku II.

April 1929: Ganjirô played in Ôsaka at the Nakaza and in Nagoya at the Misonoza the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya were played by Jitsukawa Enjaku II and Nakamura Kaisha.

June 1929: Ganjirô played at the Yachiyoza (Kôbe) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima". He also played for the last time the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" (same stage partners as the April performance).

November 1929: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

January 1930: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Ninokuchi-mura" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the roles of Umegawa and Magoemon were played by Nakamura Kaisha and Kataoka Nizaemon XI.

March 1930: Ganjirô played in Nagoya at the Misonoza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

May 1930: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kan Shôjô in the "Dômyôji" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; the roles of Kakuju, Sukune Tarô and Tatsuta-no-Mae were played by Ichikawa Chûsha VII, Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Bandô Shûchô III.

August 1930: Ganjirô played in Nagoya at the Misonoza the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

September 1930: Ganjirô played in Kôbe at the Shôchiku Gekijô the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai"; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Kaisha.

January 1931: Ganjirô played at the Nakaza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

March 1931: Ganjirô played at the Shôchiku Gekijô (Kôbe) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

June 1931: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

November 1931: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Onoe Baikô VI.

December 1931: Ganjirô played at the Minamiza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

January 1932: Ganjirô played for the last time the role of Matahei in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Hangonkô", which was staged at the Nakaza (Ôsaka); the role of Otoku, Matahei's wife, was played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

February 1932: Ganjirô played for the last time the role of Kameya Chûbê in the "Fûin Giri" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai", which was staged at the Nakaza; the roles of Umegawa and Tanbaya Hachiemon were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Jitsukawa Enjaku II.

October 1932: Ganjirô played for the last time the roles of Kameya Chûbê and Magoemon in the "Ninokuchi-mura" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai", which was staged at the Ôsaka Kabukiza; the role of Umegawa was played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV. Ganjirô also played the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

January 1933: Ganjirô played at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

March 1933: Ganjirô played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Shigure no Kotatsu" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the roles of Koharu and Osan were played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

November 1933: Ganjirô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Kamiya Jihê in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima"; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV. He also played for the last time the role of Nan Yohê (later Nanpô Jûjibê) in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

December 1933: Ganjirô played for the last time the role of Kamiya Jihê, in the "Kawashô" scene of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima", which was staged in Kyôto at the Minamiza; the role of Koharu was played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

June 1934: Ganjirô played for the last time the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono", which was staged at the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

November 1934: Ganjirô played for the last time the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata", which was staged at the Daimyô Koya Gekijô (Nagoya).

December 1934: Ganjirô appeared on stage for the last time, at the Minamiza, playing the role of Miuranosuke in the drama "Kamakura Sandaiki"; the roles of Princess Toki and Sasaki Takatsuna were played by Nakamura Fukusuke VI and Nakamura Kichiemon I.

1 February 1935: Ganjirô died; for the first time in Japan, an extra newspaper edition was published at the death of an actor.

Comments:

Nakamura Ganjirô I was a stage giant in Kamigata. He was active from the end of the 1870s to the first half of the 1930s.

"After his father died, Nakamura Ganjirô I was looked after by his teacher Jitsukawa Enjaku I, and by Nakamura Sôjûrô [...] In 1890 Ganjirô was praised when he appeared together with Ichikawa Danjûrô IX. It is said that Ganjirô was Enjaku, Sôjûrô and Danjûrô impersonated and the fact remains that he was the only actor who was able to so completely absorb the art and style of the leading actors in Tôkyô and Ôsaka. Later, Ganjirô mostly performed the roles of young lovers but he also acted in a wide range of others roles including onnagata and roles of various unsavory characters. In addition, he tried acting in the dramatized novels serialized in the newspapers, political plays, Shinpa and revivals. His inquiring and enterprising spirit with an underlying realism, and his picture-like beauty undoubtedly made him a favorite of the time [...] Ganjirô, according to the famous poet Kishimoto Suifu is the epitome of a young lover." (Ishibashi Ken'ichirô in "Senjaku Kamigatagei to Chikamatsu")

"He follows the natural school founded by Sakata Tôjûrô of Kyôto, and like this Genroku actor, one of his favourite rôles is that of Izaemon, the lover of Yûgiri, in the Chikamatsu drama. Born the son of an actor, but unfortunate in his family circumstances, he is self-made, and by many is considered the first actor of Japan. He is the last of the fine old yakusha; in the Meiji period he had already won a high place for himself, appearing with the three Tôkyô stars, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Sadanji, and Onoe Kikugorô, and to-day he dominates the Dôtonbori, the theatre quarter of Ôsaka." (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")

"Nakamura Ganjirô I in his latter years kept his image as an actor of young lovers but he did not limit himself to the classic roles [...] he was also enthusiastic about performing new dramas which were extensions of the wagoto style as well as performing in revivals." (Ishibashi Ken'ichirô in "Senjaku Kamigatagei to Chikamatsu")

Nakamura Ganjirô I gathered his best roles in a collection called Ganjirô Jûnikyoku (Ganjirô's 12 pieces): "Kawashô", "Shigure no Kotatsu", "Fûin Giri", "Koi no Mizuumi", "Daianji Zutsumi", "Akanezome", "Goban Taiheiki", "Tsuchiya Chikara", "Wankyû Sue no Matsuyama", "Tôjûrô no Koi", "Kuruwa Bunshô" and "Hikimado".

[1] The 6th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 7th year of the Ansei era was the 27th of March 1860 in the western calendar.

Nakamura Ganjirô I playing the role of Kamiya Jihê in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima" (print made by Yoshikawa Kanpô in 1923)

Prints & Illustrations

The Nakamura Ganjirô line of actors