NAKAMURA GANJIRÔ I

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

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

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

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

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

1877: reunion with his father Nakamura Kanjaku III.

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

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

June 1882: Ganjirô plays 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 plays at the Nakajimaza.

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

February 1885: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Arashi Rikô and Arashi Kichisaburô V.

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

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

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

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

April 1889: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Sôjûrô.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 1890: Ganjirô is back in Kyôto.

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

March 1891: Ganjirô plays 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 is Kataoka Gadô III.

December 1891: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Fukusuke III. Ganjirô also plays the role of Jûjirô in the drama "Ehon Taikôki".

January 1892: Ganjirô plays for the first time the role of Yuranosuke in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is staged at the Kado Gekijô; he also plays in the same drama 3 others roles (Ono Sadakurô, Kakogawa Honzô and Sagisaka Bannai). Ganjirô also plays 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 plays the role of Tadanobu Rihei.

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

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

November 1894: Ganjirô plays 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 plays the roles of Torazô and Kuzu-no-Ha in the jidaimono "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki" and "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".

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

May 1895: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Kataoka Ichizô III and Nakamura Fukusuke III.

December 1895: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Arashi Ganshô and Arashi Kichisaburô V.

September 1896: Ganjirô plays for the first time the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki", which is staged at the Naka Gekijô; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Arashi Ganshô and Nakamura Naritarô I.

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

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

November ~ December 1897: Ganjirô plays at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"; he also plays 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 plays 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, is adapted for Kabuki for the first time and staged at the Minamiza; Ganjirô plays the role of the priest Rôben [more details].

July 1898: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Naritarô I and Nakamura Fukusuke III. He also plays the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Nakamura Fukusuke III and Nakamura Naritarô I.

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

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

February 1900: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Arashi Ganshô, Nakamura Masajirô II and Onoe Taminosuke.

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

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

March 1902: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

June 1902: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

September 1903: Ganjirô plays at the Nakaza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Arashi Kichisaburô VI and Nakamura Tamashichi II.

December 1903: Ganjirô plays at the Minamiza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Arashi Kichisaburô VI and Jitsukawa Enjirô I.

October 1904: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Tamashichi II, Onoe Uzaburô II and Arashi Rikaku IV.

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

December 1905: Ganjirô plays 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 plays the role of Wan'ya Kyûbê.

October 1906: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Onoe Baikô VI. He also plays the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Baikô VI.

December 1906: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Arashi Ganshô and Jitsukawa Enzaburô V.

February 1907: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Arashi Ganshô and Nakamura Fukusuke III.

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

January 1908: Ganjirô plays at the Nakaza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

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

October 1909: Ganjirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also plays 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 are played by Nakamura Shikan V and Ichikawa Ennosuke I.

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

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

February 1910: Ganjirô plays at the Kabukiza (Kôbe) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also plays 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 are played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Jitsukawa Enzaburô V.

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

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

November 1910: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Jitsukawa Enjirô I and Nakamura Naritarô I.

May 1911: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

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

December 1911: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

January 1912: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Ichikawa Ichizô IV.

March 1912: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV.

May 1912: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Naritarô I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

January 1914: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

November 1914: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

December 1914: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Shibajaku IV and Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

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

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

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

February 1916: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Nakamura Utaemon V. Ganjirô also plays the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

June 1916: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Danshirô II.

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

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

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

March 1918: Ganjirô plays at the Shintomiza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Nakamura Baigyoku II and Nakamura Kaisha.

November 1918: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Baigyoku II.

February 1919: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha. Ganjirô also plays the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Tameshi no Wagimono".

May 1919: Ganjirô plays at the Naniwaza the role of Katsuyori in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô". His stage partners in the roles of Princess Yaegaki and Nureginu are 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 plays the role of Sakata Tôjûrô I [more details].

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

December 1919: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Jakuemon III and Nakamura Baigyoku II. He also plays the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" (same casting as the November performance).

January 1920: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

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

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

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

June 1921: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Baigyoku II.

December 1921: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Jakuemon III.

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

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

June 1923: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Jakuemon III, Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Ichizô IV.

February 1924: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

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

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

October 1924: Ganjirô plays at the Nakaza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Ichikawa Ichizô IV and Nakamura Kaisha.

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

December 1924: Ganjirô plays 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 plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

March 1925: Ganjirô plays 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 plays 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 are played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

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

April 1926: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

November 1926: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Ichikawa Chûsha VII.

February 1927: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

March 1927: Ganjirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Nakamura Kaisha.

June 1927: Ganjirô plays 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 plays at the Minamiza the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and Ohaya are played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Baikô VI.

March 1928: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

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

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

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

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

June 1929: Ganjirô plays 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 plays for the last time the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" (same stage partners as the April performance).

November 1929: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

January 1930: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Kaisha and Kataoka Nizaemon XI.

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

May 1930: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Ichikawa Chûsha VII, Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Bandô Shûchô III.

August 1930: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

September 1930: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Kaisha.

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

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

June 1931: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

November 1931: Ganjirô plays 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 are played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Onoe Baikô VI.

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

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

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

October 1932: Ganjirô plays 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 is staged at the Ôsaka Kabukiza; the role of Umegawa is played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV. Ganjirô also plays 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 plays 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 plays 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 are played by Nakamura Kaisha and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

November 1933: Ganjirô plays 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 is played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV. He also plays for the last time the role of Jûjibê in the "Hikimado" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

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

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

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

December 1934: Ganjirô appears 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 are played by Nakamura Fukusuke VI and Nakamura Kichiemon I.

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

Comments:

"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".

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)

Print made by Yamamura Toyonari in 1920

The Nakamura Ganjirô line of actors