Stage names:

Kataoka Hidetarô II
Kataoka Yoshihito

Real name: Kataoka Yoshihito

Guild: Matsushimaya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Existence: 13 September 1941 ~ 23 May 2021

Connections:

Father: Kataoka Nizaemon XIII

Brothers: Kataoka Gatô V, Kataoka Nizaemon XV

Adopted son: Kataoka Ainosuke VI

Career:

October 1946: he made his first appearance on stage, in Kyôto at the Minamiza, playing under his real name a kamuro role in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô".

March 1956: Kataoka Roen V and Kataoka Yoshihito took the names of Kataoka Gadô V and Kataoka Hidetarô II at the Ôsaka Kabukiza; the new Hidetarô played the role of Namiji in the drama "Kôchiyama".

March 1958: Hidetarô took part in the final Kabuki performance at the Ôsaka Kabukiza [more details].

November 1966: opening ceremony of the National Theatre in Tôkyô with the full length performance of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; Hidetarô played the role of Princess Kariya [casting].

April 1967: revival at the National Theatre of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Yari no Gonza Kasane Katabira"; Hidetarô played the role of Bannojô's sister and Gonza's betrothed Oyuki [casting].

May 1973: revival at the National Theatre of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi" to commemorate the 249th anniversary (250th memorial service) of the playwright; Hidetarô played the role of Otane's younger sister Ofuji [casting].

March 1981: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Jitsugetsusei Kyôwa Seidan"; Hidetarô played the role of Rokubê's daughter Okoro [casting].

24 March 1999: Hidetarô was tied up and robbed by three people who broke into his home in Suita, Ôsaka Prefecture. The three thieves threatened the 57-year-old actor with a knife and robbed him of about 300,000 JPY. Hidetarô was fortunately uninjured.

August 2008: 1st Kabuki program with Kataoka Ainosuke as zagashira at the Eirakukan, a renovated traditional theater built in the city of Toyooka (prefecture of Hyôgo) [more details].

October 2014: the October Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza commemorated the 26th anniversary (27th memorial service) and the 2nd anniversary (3rd memorial service) of late Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII and late Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII [more details].

September 2019: Hidetarô received, as Kabuki wakiyaku actor, the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

December 2020: Hidetarô appeared on stage for the last time, in Kyôto at the Minamiza, where he played the role of Fuji-no-Kata in the drama "Kumagai Jin'ya".

23 May 2021: Hidetarô died in his home in the city of Suita.

Comments:

Kataoka Hidetarô II was an excellent onnagata and nimaime actor, trained in the great tradition of the Kamigata Kabuki.

The mon of Kataoka Hidetarô II

The Kataoka Hidetarô line of actors