ICHIKAWA HAKUEN I

1741 ~ 1754: born in Edo. He appeared on stage for the first time in 1745, receiving the name of Matsumoto Umimaru. He took a few years later the name of Matsumoto Kôzô.

11th lunar month of 1754: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza; Matsumoto Kôshirô II and his son Matsumoto Kôzô respectively took the names of Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô III; the new Kôshirô performed in the kaomise drama "Miura no Ôsuke Bumon no Kotobuki", which celebrated also the shûmei of Tsuuchi Monzaburô II.

1st lunar month of 1755: Kôshirô performed in the same theater in the new year sogamono drama "Waka Midori Nishiki Soga".

1st lunar month of 1758: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Odawara Tôkichi in the new year program "Toki Tsukaze Irifune Soga".

11th lunar month of 1758: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Kôga Tarô in the kaomise drama "Kigoto no Hana Aioi Hachinoki", which welcomed the Kamigata actor Nakamura Utaemon I who left the Ichimuraza and celebrated the shûmei of Mizuki Tatsunosuke III.

1st lunar month of 1759: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Kudô Inubômaru Suketomo in the new year drama "Hatsugai Wada no Sakamori".

11th lunar month of 1759: Kôshirô followed his father Ichikawa Danjûrô IV to the Ichimuraza and played the role of Fuwa Bansaku in the kaomise drama "Okunizome Shusse Butai".

1st lunar month of 1760: Kôshirô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tsuno katsura section, was jô-jô (superior - superior) [visual]. He performed in the same theater in the new year program "Furiwakegami Suehiro Genji".

6th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1760^[5]: a fire broke out in the district of Kanda Hatago-chô and spread up to Fukagawa. It destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. It was called Akashiya no Kaji ('The Akashiya fire'), based on the name of the shop where it started. Kôshirô had to take some unintended vacation during the rebuilding of the theater.

3rd lunar month of 1760: Kôshirô played in the rebuilded Ichimuraza the role of Iha no Jûzô in the drama "Soga Mannen Bashira", which included the bombastic play "Kaneiri Gedatsu no Koromo" (commonly called "Gedatsu").

11th lunar month of 1760: Kôshirô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Mitachi no Kiyoyuki in the kaomise drama "Ume Momiji Date no Ôkido".

1st lunar month of 1761: Kôshirô performed in the same theater in the new year sogamono drama "Edo Murasaki Kongen Soga".

11th lunar month of 1761: Kôshirô followed his father to the Nakamuraza and played the role of Washinoo no Saburô in the kaomise drama "Nihongahana Hôgan Biiki", which celebrated the shûmei of Ichikawa Raizô I.

2nd lunar month of 1762: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Matsuwakamaru in the drama "Soga Biiki Nihon Zakura".

11th lunar month of 1762: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Kiyohara Ayako and Taira no Munemori in the kaomise drama "Nagi no Ha Izu no Sugatami". This performance celebrated the shûmei of his new disciple who took the name of Ichikawa Somegorô I. His father Ichikawa Danjûrô IV played the role of the Deity Meguro no Fudô (the black eyes Fudô Myôô) in the "Fudô" scene, which was staged at the end of the program. The roles of Seitaka Dôji and Konkara Dôji, sitting close to Fudô Myôô, were played by Kôshirô and Ichikawa Somegorô I.

2nd lunar month of 1763: Kôshirô played in the same theater 4 roles in Kanai Sanshô's new year drama "Momo Chidori Ôiso Gayoi".

11th lunar month of 1763: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Nishikido Tarô Kunihira in the kaomise drama "Daijôbu Takadachi Jikki", which celebrated the shûmei of his disciple Ichikawa Komazô II.

2nd lunar month of 1764: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Noriyori in the new year sogamono drama "Hitokidori Harutsuge Soga".

8th lunar month of 1764: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Yoshioka Kenpô in the "Kenuki" scene, which was included in the drama "Heike Nyogo no Shima", which was staged to commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of Ichikawa Ebizô II.

11th lunar month of 1764: Kôshirô at the Nakamuraza the role of Shuten Dôji in the kaomise drama "Azuma no Hana Sôma no Dairi".

1st lunar month of 1765: Kôshirô played in the same theater the roles of Ippongi no Gohei and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Amatsukaze Nenriki Soga"; his stage partner in the role of Soga Jûrô was Ichikawa Komazô II.

5th lunar month of 1765: Kôshirô played in the same theater the roles of the villain Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of En'ya Hangan was played by Ichikawa Komazô II.

11th lunar month of 1765: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Shibito Kozaemon and Ôe Otondo in the kaomise drama "Kagura Uta Amagoi Komachi", which celebrated the shûmei of Iwai Hanshirô IV.

1st lunar month of 1766: Kôshirô played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Kanaishimaru Suketsune and the zatô Keimasa in the new year drama "Kaidô Ichi Izu no Harugoma".

5th lunar month of 1766: premiere of the play "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome", which was staged at the Nakamuraza. Kôshirô played the roles of Dozaemon Denkichi and Beniya Chôbê; his stage partners in the roles of Yaoya Oshichi and Kichisaburô were Nakamura Matsue I and Ichikawa Benzô I.

7th lunar month of 1766: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Ippei in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

11th lunar month of 1766: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of the rebel Abe no Munetô in the kaomise drama "Kogane no Hana Kaijin Arasmusha", which celebrated the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Kirishima Gizaemon I; his stage partners in the roles of Abe no Sadatô and Hachiman Tarô Yoshiie were Kirishima Gizaemon I and Bandô Hikosaburô II.

1st lunar month of 1767: Kôshirô played in the same theater the roles of Hokuromaru, disguised as the priest Seigen, and Yawata no Saburô in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsu Akinai Ômise Soga".

7th lunar month of 1767: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Igami no Gonta in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

11th lunar month of 1767: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Sagami Jirô in the kaomise drama "Taiheiki Shizu no Furisode".

1st lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô played in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue and Dozaemon Denkichi in the new year drama sogamono "Fude Hajime Soga no Tamazusa"; his stage partners in the roles of Yaoya Oshichi and Kichisaburô were Segawa Kikunojô II and Bandô Hikosaburô II.

7th lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Gokuin Sen'emon in the drama "Otokodate Itsutsu Karigane" [casting]. He also played the role of Matsuômaru in "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

8th lunar month of 1768: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Tenjiku Tokubê Kokyô no Torikaji"; Kôshirô played the role of the thief Yoine no Nisuke [more details].

11th lunar month of 1768: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the role of Hokkyô's daughter Asagao in the kaomise drama "Ima o Sakari Suehiro Genji" [print], which celebrated the arrival in Edo of Nakamura Utaemon I and the shûmei of Osagawa Tsuneyo II.

1st lunar month of 1769: Kôshirô plays for the first time the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the same theater in the new year sogamono drama "Soga Moyô Aigo no Wakamatsu"; the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Kudô Saemon Suketsune (Soga brothers' enemy) were played by Ichikawa Yaozô II and Nakamura Utaemon I.

11th lunar month of 1769: Kôshirô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Akita Jônosuke and the dragon-king (Ryûô) in the kaomise drama "Kawaranu Hanasakae Hachinoki".

1st lunar month of 1770: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Kyô no Jirô, disguised a the uirô peddler Toraya Seibê, in the "Uirô Uri" scene performed with the new year drama sogamono "Kagamigaike Omokage Soga" [print].

6th lunar month of 1770: Kôshirô played in the same theater the role of Kikuchi Hyôgo in Sakurada Jisuke I's drama "Katakiuchi Chûkô Kagami".

11th lunar month of 1770: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza. Matsumoto Kôshirô III received the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô V and his father Ichikawa Danjûrô IV took back his previous name of Matsumoto Kôshirô II; the new Danjûrô played the leading role of the "Shibaraku" scene, included in the kaomise drama "Nue no Mori Ichiyô no Mato", which also celebrated the arrival of Ichikawa Danzô III and Yamashita Kinsaku II at the Nakamuraza and the shûmei of the actors Nakamura Shôchô, Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Nakamura Shichisaburô III and Bandô Sanpachi II.

1st lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year sogamono drama "Sakaichô Soga no Nendaiki"; the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Kudô Saemon Suketsune (Soga brothers' enemy) were played by Ichikawa Komazô II and Nakamura Nakazô I.

3rd lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Sukeroku in the play "Sukeroku", staged under the title "Kongen Edo Murasaki"; his partners in the roles of the courtesan Agemaki and the villain Ikyû were Iwai Hanshirô IV and Nakamura Nakazô I.

4th lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Momonoi Wakasanosuke, Ishidô Umanojô and Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of En'ya Hangan was played by Ichikawa Yaozô II.

7th lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Tomonari in the drama "Tamura Maro Nanae Gasane".

11th lunar month of 1771: Danjûrô, who decided to move to the Moritaza in the company of Yamashita Kinsaku II and left his father Matsumoto Kôshirô II at the Nakamuraza, became zagashira and performed several roles, including the aragoto role of Arajishi Otokonosuke in the "Shibaraku" scene and Umezu Kamon [Print], in the kaomise drama "Fukikaete Tsuki no Yoshiwara"; his main stage partners were Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Nakamura Sukegorô II, Ôtani Hiroemon III, Bandô Mitsugorô I and Nakamura Jûzô II (who came from Kamigata).

1st lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of the dead Tosaemon, Kagekiyo and Soga Jûrô Sukenari in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsu Akebono Niwatori Soga"; the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Soga Gorô Tokimune were played by Nakamura Tomijûrô I and Nakamura Jûzô II.

4th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Sanai and Keimasa in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

7th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô played in the same theater 2 roles in the drama "Keisei Momiji no Uchikake".

8th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of the ghost of Seigen in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Sono Utsushie Matsu ni Kaide"; his stage partners in the roles of the courtesan Takao (and the ghost of Takao) and Lord Ashikaga Yorikane were Nakamura Noshio I and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

11th lunar month of 1772: Danjûrô played at the Moritaza the roles of Minamoto no Tametomo, Kudô Kanaishimaru Suketsune and the Zen priest Bukan in the kaomise drama "Izu Goyomi Shibai no Ganjitsu", which celebrated the shûmei of Sawamura Chôjûrô IV.

1st lunar month of 1773: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Iro Makie Soga no Sakazuki"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were played by Nakamura Noshio I and Bandô Mitsugorô I. Danjûrô performed also the leading role of the play "Uirô Uri" ("The uirô peddler").

7th lunar month of 1773: Danjûrô performed in the same theater in the drama "Miya Bashira Iwao no Butai".

9th lunar month of 1773: last performance at the Moritaza for Danjûrô. He played the roles of Kumedera Danjô and Narukami in the drama "Momiji no Nishiki Narukami Zakura" ("Narukami"); his stage partner in the role of Princess Taema was Yamashita Kinsaku II. The "Narukami" performance was not well received by the audience.

11th lunar month of 1773: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Gohiiki Kanjinchô", performed as a kaomise drama. Danjûrô played the roles of Kumai Tarô, Kashima no Kotofure, Kisanta, the Deity Fudô Myôô and Togashi Saemon [casting]. This 46-days long performance, which was also the shûmei of Nakamura Rikô I, was a tremendous success.

1st lunar month of 1774: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, was jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual]. He also played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Kyô no Jirô and Danjûrô Shichinosuke (?) in the new year sogamono drama "Oatsuraezome Soga Hinagata"; his stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari (Kudô's enemies) were Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV.

5th lunar month of 1774: big crisis at the Nakamuraza; several high-ranking actors, including Danjûrô, Ichikawa Ebizô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV left the theater.

11th lunar month of 1774: Danjûrô went to the Moritaza and played the roles of Kataoka Hachirô (in the "Shibaraku" scene), the hag Danguri no Osan, Suzuki Saburô and the bonze Sôjôbô in the kaomise drama "Ichi no Tomi Tsuki no Kaomise", which welcomed in Edo the Kamigata actor Nakamura Shingorô II.

1st lunar month of 1775: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Danzaburô (Gorô's retainer) and Tanba Suketarô in the new year sogamono drama "Shida Yuzuriha Hôrai Soga"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were played by Bandô Matatarô IV and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

5th lunar month of 1775: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Fujiwara no Shihei, Terukuni and Kan Shôjô, transformed into the God of Thunder, in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; the role of Shihei's retainer Matsuômaru was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô IV.

8th lunar month of 1775: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Otokonosuke, Fuwa Banzaemon and Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Keisei Tsuki no Miyako".

11th lunar month of 1775: the departure of Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Iwai Hanshirô IV to the Ichimuraza was a hard blow for the Moritaza. Danjûrô stayed and played the roles of the yamanba of Mount Ashigara, Kôjumaru and Koremitsu in the kaomise drama "Kikujidô Shuen no Iwaya". He also plays the wicked court noble role in "Shibaraku" (the superhero was played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II).

1st lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Sono Kyôdai Fuji no Sugatami".

2nd lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Dozaemon Denkichi in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Sono Kyôdai Fuji no Sugatami"; his stage partners in the roles of Yaoya Oshichi and Kichisaburô were Yoshizawa Iroha I and Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

3rd lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka and Shigetada in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki"; the roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue, Chidori and Enju were played by Bandô Mitsugorô I, Yoshizawa Iroha I and Sawamura Chôjûrô IV.

5th lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of An no Heibei and Iba Jûzô in the drama "Maki Kaesu Mikari Soga" [casting]. He also plays a lawn-mower role in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Ayame Fukuhana no Itazura", sharing the stage with Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Ôtani Hiroji III and Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

7th lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Ashiya Dôman in the drama "Kikyôzome Onna Urakata", whose plot and characters were similar to "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".

5th day of the 10th lunar month of 1776^[2]: his 8-year old son Ichikawa Momotarô died.

11th lunar month of 1776: Danjûrô moved to the Ichimuraza and played the roles of Iwawaka Gorô (in the "Shibaraku" scene), the hag Higaki and Godai no Saburô in the kaomise drama "Sugata no Hana Yuki no Kuronushi". This was also the premiere at the Ichimuraza of Sakurada Jisuke I's Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Momo Yogiku Iro no Yo no Naka"; Danjûrô played the role of the old woman Higaki (in reality the ghost of Higaki) [casting].

1st lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kyô no Jirô, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo (in the "Uirô Uri" scene) in the new year sogamono drama "Tsukisenu Haru Hagoromo Soga; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune, Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Akoya were played by Ichikawa Yaozô II, Ichimura Uzaemon IX and Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III. For the first time in Kabuki history, chiwata threads were used in the bloody murder of the priest Dainichibô by Akoya. This new technique was very well received by the audience.

4th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Kumedera Danjô in the drama "Homare no Shisha Kenuki Danshô".

5th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of the rebel Abe no Sadatô and the Kurozuka ogress in the drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara"; the roles of Sodehagi and Hachiman Tarô Yoshiie were played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Yaozô II.

Summer 1777: the book "Yakusha Sensakuron" ('About actors prying') was published in Edo. It gives some private information on actors. Edo readers could learn that Danjûrô lived in the district of Sumiyoshi Sakai-chô and his annual salary was 800 ryô.

7th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Tamashima Kazue in the drama "Naniwagata Imose no Irifune", whose plot and characters belonged to the "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" world.

8th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Teraoka Heiemon and En'ya Hangan in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Kô no Moronô were played by Sakata Hangorô II; the role of Okaru was played by Segawa Kikunojô III. The scene, in which Heiemon and Okaru mourned the death of Hayano Kanpei, was very well received by the audience.

11th lunar month of 1777: Danjûrô moved to the Nakamuraza and played the roles of Taira no Masakado and Kamo Hyôe Shigemitsu (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise drama "Masakado Kanmuri no Hatsuyuki"; his stage partners were Matsumoto Kôshirô IV, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

2nd lunar month of 1778: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Kagekiyo, disguised as Kannon Shichibyôe, in the new year sogamono drama "Kaidô Iro Yawaragi Soga".

25th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1778^[3]: his father Ichikawa Ebizô III died.

5th lunar month of 1778: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Dozaemon Denkichi and Noriyori in the drama "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome".

7th lunar month of 1778: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki"; Danjûrô played the roles of Arajishi Otokonosuke, Hosokawa Katsumoto, the Shôzuka hag, Saichi and Fuwa Banzaemon [casting].

8th lunar month of 1778: the 'Kôshirô Impeachment affair' shook the Kabuki world. The growing influence of Danjûrô in the patrons organizations or the shibai jaya circles created some enmities and a group of people plotted in the shadows to get him accused of misappropriation of funds. Danjûrô was ordered to leave the stage for a while, to give his name to Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and to take the name of Ichikawa Ebizô. The widow of late Ichikawa Yaozô II, who was also the lover of Danjûrô, led him to think that both Iwai Hanshirô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô IV were responsible for this dirty and complicated plot. Danjûrô let his anger explode twice on stage in front of the audience: the 27th of the 8th lunar month he accused Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and the 28th it was the turn of Iwai Hanshirô IV. As a consequence, Danjûrô suddenly decided to leave the Nakamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1778: Danjûrô moved to the Moritaza and played the roles of Arakawa Tarô (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene), Hachiman Tarô, Ôkami no Tani no Kantetsu and Miura Heitayû in the kaomise drama "Date Nishiki Tsui no Yumitori". This kaomise, with the 3 high-ranking tachiyaku stars Nakamura Nakazô I, Ichikawa Danzô IV and Danjûrô at the top of the bill, was a huge success.

1st lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkantô section ("global leader"), was ô-jô-jô-kichi (grand - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. He played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year sogamono drama "Edo Meisho Midori Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Iwanaga Saemon in the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki"; the roles of Akoya and Shigetada were played by Onoe Matsusuke I and Nakamura Nakazô I.

7th lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Issun Tokubê in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami"; the roles of Danshichi Kurobê and Tsuribune Sabu were played by Nakamura Nakazô I and Ichikawa Danzô IV.

8th lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Kakogawa Honzô, Hayano Kanpei and Ôwashi Bungo in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of Okaru was played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II. Danjûrô's performance was well received by the audience.

Autumn 1779: Matsumoto Kôshirô IV decided to leave the Nakamuraza to join the Ichimuraza. Danjûrô seized this opportunity to become zagashira at the Nakamuraza for the new season.

11th lunar month of 1779: Danjûrô moved to the Nakamuraza and played the roles of Shinozuka Iga-no-Kami (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene), Ashikaga Takauji and Yakushiji Jirozaemon in the kaomise drama "Kaeribana Eiyû Taiheiki", which celebrated the shûmei of Yamashita Mangiku I. The performance was a tremendous success.

1st lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, was goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. He played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga"; his stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Bandô Mitsugorô I.

2nd lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Gokuin Sen'emon in "Gonin Otoko", the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Monnosuke II (Karigane Bunshichi), Sakata Hangorô II (Hotei Ichiemon), Bandô Mitsugorô I (An no Heibei) and Nakamura Sukegorô II (Kaminari Shôkurô).

3rd lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kikuoka Kôzaemon and the nyûdô Kumagai Rennyô in the final act (ôzume) of the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Hatsumonbi Kuruwa Soga".

9th lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kakogawa Honzô and En'ya Hangan in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Kô no Moronô were played by Onoe Kikugorô I (who also played the role of Honzô's wife Tonase) and Onoe Matsusuke I. The Nakamuraza welcomed Onoe Kikugorô I, who left the Ichimuraza because of a terrible quarrel with Matsumoto Kôshirô IV

10th lunar month of 1780: pilgrimage at the Naritasan Shrine to pray the Deity Fudô Myôô.

11th lunar month of 1780: Danjûrô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Kazusa Gorobê, Ise no Heita, Tezuka Tarô Mitsumori and Taira no Munekiyo in the kaomise drama "Kite Kaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka"; the role of Minamoto no Tametomo was played by Nakamura Nakazô I.

1st ~ 3rd lunar months of 1781: the Nakamuraza had to delay his new year program because of several financial issues.

5th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Yamagaya Sashirô in the drama "Shôbu Zake Muko no Otogi". He also played the role of Soga Gorô in the bombastic scene "Bunjin Ya no Ne Gorô" and the roles of Yuruki Saemon, the yakko Ippei and Sagisaka Sanai in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

7th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Tsukimoto Mushanosuke in the drama "Tsuki no Yuki Ganryûjima"; the role of Sasaki Ganryû was played by Nakamura Nakazô I.

8th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kinezô, Koyama Hangan and Sakanaya Hinode Gorozô in the drama "Shida Chôja Bashira".

9th lunar month of 1781: Danjûrô performed in the same theater in the company of Iwai Hanshirô IV and Nakamura Nakazô I in "Iromi Kusa Yotsu no Somewake", a memorial performance for the 22nd anniversary of the passing away of Iwai Hanshirô III.

11th lunar month of 1781: premiere of the dance-drama "Waga Sekogakoi no Aizuchi" (commonly called "Kumo no Hyôshimai") at the Nakamuraza, which was performed within the kaomise drama "Shitennô Tonoi no Kisewata"; the roles of the spirit of the spider, Minamoto no Raikô, Sadamitsu and Sakata Kintoki were played by Segawa Kikunojô III, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Onoe Matsusuke I and Danjûrô [print].

1st lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki was tôji-muri-hiiki (the favorite unequaled in those days). He played in the same theater the role of Kyô no Jirô in the new year sogamono drama "Nanakusa Yosooi Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo, disguised as the mugwort seller Mimasuya Jûbê, in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program. The role of Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) was played by Segawa Otome.

5th lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Kuruwa no Natori Gusa"; the roles of Agemaki, Ikyû and Shinbê were played by Nakamura Rikô I, Nakamura Nakazô I and Sawamura Sôjûrô III.

7th lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Akamatsu Hikogorô, the tôfu maker Sajibê and Dote no Dôtetsu in the drama "Datezome Shikata Kôshaku", whose plot and characters belonged to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world. Danjûrô performed in duo with Segawa Kikunojô III in the roles of Dote no Dôtetsu and the ghost of the courtesan Takao in the Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Shinkyoku Takao Zange".

11th lunar month of 1782: Danjûrô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Miura Kunitae (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) [print] and Abe no Sadatô in the kaomise drama "Godai Genji Mitsugi no Furisode"; his stage partners were Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Segawa Kikunojô III, Ichikawa Danzô IV and Onoe Matsusuke I. His adopted son Ichikawa Tokuzô took the name of Ichikawa Ebizô IV.

1st lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, was shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). He played in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Sawamura Sôjûrô III.

2nd lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of the ghost of the priest Seigen in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Sono Omokage Matsu ni Sakura"; the ghost of the courtesan Yatsuhashi was played by Segawa Kikunojô III.

3rd lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Kurizu Rokurô in the drama "Hanakawado Migawari no Dan".

5th lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Ôboshi Yuranosuke in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of En'ya Hangan was played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

8th lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Hashimoto Jibuemon in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

9th lunar month of 1783: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Shibata Sazen in the drama "Buke no Hana Musume no Adauchi".

11th lunar month of 1783: the Nakamuraza was damaged in a fire. No kaomise program.

1st lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kumagai Tarô (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene), Genpachibê and Ise no Saburô in the new year drama kaomise "Fude Hajime Kanjinchô". The performance of a "Shibaraku" scene in a new year program was quite an unusual event.

2nd lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in the drama "Kagekiyo Rô Yaburi", staged to commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of late Ichikawa Ebizô III.

3rd lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the drama "Soga Musume Chôja"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were played by Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Ichikawa Yaozô III. From the 22nd day of this month, he played the roles of Oniô Shinzaemon and Ikyû in the drama "Sukeroku Kuruwa no Natori Gusa", sharing the stage with Ichikawa Yaozô III (Sukeroku) and Nakamura Rikô I (Agemaki).

7th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of the monk warrior Benkei, Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan and Igami no Gonta in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

8th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Muraoka Hayato in Chikamatsu Monzaemon masterpiece's "Shinjû Ten no Amijima". From the 17th of this month, he played the roles of Kakogawa Honzô and Amakawaya Gihei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

9th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Ashiya Dôman in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami", which celebrated (onagori kyôgen) the departure of Iwai Hanshirô IV to Ôsaka.

11th lunar month of 1784: Danjûrô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Matano Gorô, Soga Tarô and the bonze Hakone Jigokudani no Seiemon in the kaomise drama "Ôakinai Hiru-ga-Kojima".

1st lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Hachiman Saburô in the new year drama "Hatsuhana Mimasu Soga". He also played the role of Rokubê in the Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Shinobu Koi Yanagi ni Katsurao".

2nd lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Aburaya Kuheiji and Kagekiyo in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Hatsuhana Mimasu Soga", which combined the world (sekai) of "Sonezaki Shinjû" and "Kagekiyo"; the roles of Tokubê and Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) were played by Ichikawa Yaozô III and Mimasu Tokujirô I.

2nd ~ 4th lunar months of 1785: the great actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX appeared on stage for the last time, at the Nakamuraza, performing in the program "Mitsu Ningyô Yayoi no Hinagata" in the company of Danjûrô.

8th lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Matsuômaru and Kan Shôjô, transformed into the God of Thunder, in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; the roles of Umeômaru and Sakuramaru were played by Onoe Monzaburô I and Ichikawa Yaozô III.

9th lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Takasaka Danjô in the drama "Osana Najimi Kasane Kotoba".

11th lunar month of 1785: Danjûrô moved to the Kiriza and played several roles, including the superhero of "Shibaraku" and Mita Gengo Hirotsuna, in the kaomise drama "Otokoyama Furisode Genji", which celebrated the shûmei of Bandô Mitsugorô II.

1st lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô played in the same theater the leading role of "Uirô Uri" and the roles of Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Ôkazari Kotobuki Soga"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were played Ichikawa Komazô III and Bandô Mitsugorô II. The role of Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) was played by Segawa Kikunojô III. The program opens the 17th day and was extremely successful but a fire destroyed the Kiriza the 21st day.

3rd lunar month of 1786: the Kiriza reopened the 16th with the same new year program on the bill.

5th lunar month of 1786: Matsumoto Kôshirô IV joined the Kiriza and became reconciled with Danjûrô, ending a nine years long quarrel.

8th lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Fuwa Banzaemon in the drama "Muromachi Onna Bunshô"; his stage partners in the roles of Nagoya Sanza and the courtesan Katsuragi were Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Segawa Kikunojô III.

9th lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Kiyose no Tsubone in "Kôrai Giku Ukina no Irozashi", the second part (nibanme) of "Muromachi Onna Bunshô".

11th lunar month of 1786: Danjûrô played at the Kiriza several roles, including the superhero role of "Shibaraku" and Minamoto no Tametomo, in the kaomise drama "Mutsu no Hana Izu no Hataage", which celebrated the shûmei of Nakamura Nakazô I.

1st lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year sogamono drama "Yuki Nazuna Saiwai Soga".

3rd lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Hanewana no Yazô (in reality Awazu Rokurô Saemon), Hidari Jingorô and Miuranosuke Yoshizumi in the drama "Miyakodori Yayoi no Watashi". Danjûrô, Iwai Hanshirô IV and Ichikawa Monnosuke II performed together in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Hana ni Kitsu Negura no Irodori".

4th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Jûsaku in the second part (nibanme) of the new program "Miyakodori Yayoi no Watashi".

5th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of the yakko Edohei and Takemura Sadanoshin in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".

8th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke, Ono Sadakurô and Ashikaga Naoyoshi in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

9th lunar month of 1787: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Tenjiku Tokubê (Tokubê from India), a blind masseur and Harunaga in the drama "Tenjiku Tokubê Kokyô no Torikaji".

11th lunar month of 1787: third kaomise at the Kiriza for Danjûrô who played the roles of Sano Genzaemon and Asama Saemon Norimasa [print] in the drama "Sanga no Shô Mutsu no Hanayome".

1st lunar month of 1788: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Aramonoya Sashirô and Arakawa Genjibê in the new year sogamono drama "Keisei Natori Soga".

7th lunar month of 1788: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Matsuômaru [illustration] in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

8th ~ 9th lunar months of 1788: last performances at the Kiriza, which had to give back its license to the Ichimuraza and closed its business. Danjûrô performed in the drama "Takao no Miya Honji Kaichô".

11th lunar month of 1788: Danjûrô joined the Ichimuraza and played the role of Fukusaku in the kaomise drama "Genji Saikô Kogane no Tachibana", which celebrated the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Asao Tamejûrô I.

1st lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, was dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). He played in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year sogamono drama "Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga".

3rd lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Aragorô Mohê in the second part (nibanme) of the new year program "Koi no Yosuga Kanagaki Soga".

4th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of the rônin Umegawa Chûbê in the drama "Koi no Hikyaku".

5th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Shinoda Saemon and Yodo Sakonnosuke in the drama "Sanjikkoku Yofune no Hajimari".

6th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Yuranosuke in the drama "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku".

11th lunar month of 1789: Danjûrô performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Hana no Oedo Masakado Matsuri".

1st lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Ômi no Hachimanosuke, Tomoe Gozen and Kakurega no Mohei in the new year sogamono drama "Ureshiku Zonji Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura", which commemorated the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of the passing away of late Ichikawa Ebizô III; the role of Princess Taema was played by Iwai Hanshirô IV.

3rd lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV and Ôtani Hiroji III performed together in the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Tao Yanagi Oboro no Kurokami".

4th lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô played in the same theater the role of Okada Kazuenosuke in the drama "Ochiyo Hanbei".

5th lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô suddenly fell ill and had to take some rest up to the end of the season.

11th lunar month of 1790: Danjûrô moved to the Kawarasakiza and played the roles of Kumai Tarô (the superhero a "Shibaraku" scene), Suzuki Saburô, a Komusô priest and Genjibê Hirotsuna in the kaomise drama "Daidanna Kanjinchô".

2nd lunar month of 1791: Danjûrô played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Awazu Rokurô Saemon in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsu Midori Saiwai Soga".

Spring 1791: successful tour in the provinces of Kôshû and Sunshû.

11th lunar month of 1791: great shûmei at the Ichimuraza; The actors Ichikawa Danjûrô V and Ichikawa Ebizô IV respectively took the names of Ichikawa Ebizô and Ichikawa Danjûrô VI. Ebizô plays several roles, including the leading role of a "Shibaraku" scene, in the kaomise drama "Kin no Menuki Genke no Kakutsuba". The ideogram for "ebi" was different from the 2 usual characters used by the actors of the Ichikawa Ebizô line of actors:

New Ebizô	Classic Ebizô
鰕蔵	海老蔵

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

1st lunar month of 1792: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanjiku section ("all kanjiku"), was goku-jô-jô-dai-kichi-murui (extreme - superior - superior - grand - excellent - unequaled). He played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Ômi no Kotôta and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Wakamurasaki Edokko Soga"; the roles of Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada, Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari were played by Bandô Hikosaburô III, Ichikawa Omezô I and Ichikawa Monnosuke II.

4th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô played in the same theater the role of Sasaki Ganryû in the drama "Hana Utsugi Shiraga Ganryû".

5th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Teraoka Heiemon, Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Uekiya Jûbê in the drama "Shijûshichi Somei no Hachiue", whose plot and characters belong to the "Chûshingura" world.

8th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Araki Saemon and a loathsome hag in the drama "Mukashi Mukashi Tejiro no Saru".

9th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô played in the same theater the role of Fukashichi (in reality Kanawa Gorô Imakuni) in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin".

11th lunar month of 1792: Ebizô moved to the Kawarasakiza and played the roles of Hata Rokurôzaemon, Nagasaki Kageyu Saemon, Watari Shinzaemon and Sagami Jirô in the kaomise drama "Ôfuna Moriebi no Kaomise"; his main stage partners were Matsumoto Kôshirô IV, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Bandô Mitsugorô II.

1st lunar month of 1793: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Iwafuji, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Banzui Chôbê in the new year drama "Gozen Gakari Sumô Soga". The roles of Onoe and Ohatsu, the enemies of the villain Lady Iwafuji, were played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Iwai Hanshirô IV. The role of Shirai Gonpachi, friend of Banzui Chôbê, was played by Iwai Hanshirô IV. The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari, enemies of Kudô Suketsune, were played by Ichikawa Omezô I and Bandô Mitsugorô II. This performance, which featured the first large scale tachimawari in Kabuki history, was a tremendous success.

4th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Ya no Ne Gorô and Uekiya Jûbê in the drama "Eimei Ya no Ne Gorô", which included the bombastic "Ya-no-Ne" scene.

5th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô played in the same theater the role of Dozaemon Denkichi in the drama "Junshokun Yaoya Oshichi". The actors Iwai Hanshirô IV, Osagawa Tsuneyo II, Ichikawa Omezô I, Iwai Kiyotarô II and Ebizô performed together in the Tokiwazu-based dance "Hototogisu Yumeji no Koi". Ebizô also played the role of Banzui Chôbê in the "Suzu-ga-Mori" scene. His stage partner in the role of Shirai Gonpachi was Iwai Hanshirô IV. The performance was a huge success.

8th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Shunkan and Taira no Shigemori in the drama "Hime Komatsu Ne-no-Hi no Asobi".

11th lunar month of 1793: Ebizô played at the Kawarasakiza the roles of Ibaraki Chôbê, Mononobe Heita, Sôma Tarô and Sakatôji in the kaomise drama "Nigiwai Genji Hana Saku Mon".

1st lunar month of 1794: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Akazawa Jûnai and Hakone no Tojibô in the new year sogamono drama "Gohiiki no Hana Aikyô Soga"; the roles of Akoya (Kagekiyo's lover) and Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada (Kagekiyo's enemy) were played by Iwai Hanshirô IV.

5th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô played in the same theater the role of Takemura Sadanoshin in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna" [print]. He also played the role of Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

7th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Nikki Danjô, Hosokawa Katsumoto and the tôfu maker Sabu in the drama "Nihon Matsu Michinoku Sodachi", whose plot and characters belonged to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world.

9th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Ôboshi Yuranosuke and Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of En'ya Hangan was played by Bandô Hikosaburô III.

10th lunar month of 1794: due to some financial difficulties, the salaries of all the actors were drastically reduced. Ebizô's yearly salary for the coming season was set to 700 ryô after a reduction of 400 ryô.

11th lunar month of 1794: Ebizô moved to the Kiriza and played the roles of the rebel Abe no Sadatô, an ascetic pilgrim and Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise drama "Otokoyama Oedo no Ishizue", which celebrated also the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata star Yamashita Kinsaku II. The performance was a huge success.

1st lunar month of 1795: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Kajiwara Genta Kagesue in the new year sogamono drama "Nido no Kake Katsuiro Soga".

2nd lunar month of 1795: Ebizô played in the same theater the role of Dozaemon Denkichi in the drama "Yaoya Oshichi Koi no Edozome.

3rd lunar month of 1795: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Ishikawa Goemon and Katô Masakiyo in the drama "Toki ha Ima Kuruwa no Hanamichi.

4th lunar month of 1795: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Kô no Moronô, Kakogawa Honzô, Horibe Yajibê and Amakawaya Gihei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The performance was a great success.

5th lunar month of 1795: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Otsuma (the vegetable store widow) and Yamawaki Jûzô in the drama "Yomogi Fukunoki no Tamamizu".

11th lunar month of 1795: Ebizô moved to the Kawarasakiza, where he met up with Matsumoto Kôshirô IV again, and played the roles of Taira no Masakado, Mita no Tsugô, Watanabe Tsuna and the councilor Tadafumi in the kaomise drama "Fuku Botan Azuma Dairi".

2nd lunar month of 1796: Ebizô played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Yanagi Zakura Soga no Utsushie". He fell ill during the performance and had to take some rest.

11th lunar month of 1796: Ebizô moved to the Miyakoza for his final performance (isse ichidai). He played the roles of Usui Aratarô Sadamitsu [print], an ascetic pilgrim and Sôma Tarô Yoshikado in the kaomise drama "Seiwa Nidai Ôyose Genji", which celebrated also the return of Iwai Hanshirô IV to Edo and the shûmei of Ichikawa Ebizô V. Ebizô's stage partners were Kataoka Nizaemon VII, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Nakamura Nakazô II (who fell ill and died a few days after the beginning of the performance), Ichikawa Yaozô III, Nakamura Noshio II, Iwai Kumesaburô I and Morita Kan'ya VIII.

12th lunar month of 1796: Ebizô retired at the age of 55 years, taking the name of Naritaya Shichizaemon. He settled on a small island called Ushijima ("cow island"), close to the big island of Mukôjima, living a hermit life in a small hut.

1st lunar month of 1797: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkantô section ("global leader"), was sanga no tsu murui-dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi-murui (unequaled in the three capitals - grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent).

11th lunar month of 1798: Ichikawa Danjûrô VI became zagashira at the Nakamuraza. His adoptive father was back on stage, using the name of Ichikawa Hakuen, to take part in the kôjô of Fukumori Kyûsuke I's kaomise drama "Hana to Mimasu Yoshino no Miyuki".

13th day of the 5th lunar month of 1799^[4]: his adopted son Ichikawa Danjûrô VI died.

11th lunar month of 1800: Hakuen was back on stage, at the Ichimuraza, to perform in Nagawa Shimesuke I's kaomise drama "Oishigeru Nami no Une Une", which celebrated the shûmei of his grandson Ichikawa Ebizô V, who was designated as the next holder of the Ichikawa Danjûrô name. This performance also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the haimyô Hakuen.

1st lunar month of 1801: Hakuen's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanjiku section ("all kanjiku"), was dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent).

11th lunar month of 1801: Hakuen was back on stage, at the Kawarasakiza, to perform in the kaomise drama "Meika no Toku Mimasu no Tamagaki" [print].

1st lunar month of 1802: Hakuen's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanshu section ("global leader"), was murui-jô-jô-kichi (unequaled - superior - superior - excellent).

2nd lunar month of 1802: Hakuen played in the same theater the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsu Monbi Yosooi Soga"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Omezô I (Shigetada, Soga Gorô), Bandô Mitsugorô III (Soga Jûrô) and Osagawa Tsuneyo II (Akoya).

3rd lunar month of 1802: Hakuen appeared on stage for the last time, at the Kawarasakiza, taking part in the memorial kôjô, which commemorated the 2nd anniversary (3rd memorial service) of the passing away of late Iwai Hanshirô IV. Then he retired definitively and called himself Hogoan.

30th day of the 10th lunar month of 1806^[1]: he died in his small cottage in Mukôjima.

Comments:

Ichikawa Hakuen I was one of the dominant tachiyaku of the An'ei, Tenmei and Kansei eras, excelling as jitsugotoshi, katakiyaku, aragotoshi and even onnagata. He did not attend his father's famous acting classes, preferring to follow his own way. He proved to the Kabuki world that he was worthy to hold the prestigious name of Ichikawa Danjûrô and contributed a great deal to the preservation of the best roles created by Ichikawa Danjûrô II or Ichikawa Danjûrô IV.

Ichikawa Hakuen I's best roles: Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Taira no Kagekiyo, Ôboshi Yuranosuke ("Kanadehon Chûshingura"), the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene.

[1] The 30th day of the 10th lunar month of the 3rd year of the Bunka era was the 9th of December 1806 in the western calendar.

[2] The 5th day of the 10th lunar month of the 5th year of the An'ei era was the 15th of November 1776 in the western calendar.

[3] The 25th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 7th year of the An'ei era was the 23rd of March 1778 in the western calendar.

[4] The 13th day of the 5th lunar month of the 11th year of the Kansei era was the 16th of June 1799 in the western calendar.

[5] The 6th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 10th year of the Hôreki era was the 22nd of March 1760 in the western calendar.

Ichikawa Hakuen I drawn by Utagawa Toyokuni I for the book "Yakusha Gakuya Tsû" (1799)

Prints & Illustrations

4 faces

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1768

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1770

Print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1771

Print made by Katsukawa Shunshô in 1781

Print made by Katsukawa Shunjô in 1781

Print made by Katsukawa Shunshô in 1782

Print made by Katsukawa Shun'ei in 1787

Print made by Katsukawa Shunkô (1788 ~ 1791)

Print made by Tôshûsai Sharaku in 1794

Print made by Utagawa Kunimasa in 1796

Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1801

The Ichikawa Sanshô line of actors

The Matsumoto Kôshirô line of actors

The Ichikawa Danjûrô line of actors

The Ichikawa Hakuen line of actors