Stage names:

Nakamura Karoku V
Nakamura Yonekichi IV

Real name: Ogawa Shin'ichi

Guilds: Harimaya ^[1], Yorozuya ^[2], Harimaya ^[3]

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Birthday: 14 October 1950

Connections:

Great-great-grandfather: Nakamura Karoku I

Great-grandfather: Nakamura Karoku III

Grandfather: Nakamura Tokizô III

Father: Nakamura Kashô II

Brother: Nakamura Matagorô III

Sons: Nakamura Yonekichi V, Nakamura Ryûnosuke

Career:

September 1955: he made his first appearance on stage at the Kabukiza, receiving the name of Nakamura Yonekichi IV and playing the role of Ichimatsu in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami".

February 1967: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hagiwara Yukio's dance-drama "Dattan"; Yonekichi played the role of a young temple attendant [casting].

October 1971: Yonekichi changed his yagô from Harimaya to Yorozuya in a special program at the Kabukiza commemorating the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of the passing away of his grandfather Nakamura Tokizô III.

June 1973: Yonekichi became nadai and celebrated it by playing at the Kabukiza the role of Kôdainoshin in the play "Tange Sazen".

April 1976: revival at the Meijiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô"; Yonekichi played the role of Ogasawara Buzen-no-Kami [casting].

May 1977: revival at the Minamiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô"; Yonekichi played the role of Ogasawara Haito [casting].

July 1977: revival at the Kabukiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô"; Yonekichi played the role of Ogasawara Haito [casting].

September 1978: revival at the National Theatre of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi"; Yonekichi played the role of Dote no Toburoku, in reality Jûheiji [casting].

April 1979: historic revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV long-forgotten play "Haji Momiji Ase no Kaomise" (commonly called "Date no Jûyaku"); Yonekichi played the roles of Yamanaka Shikanosuke and Okinoi [casting].

July 1980: revival at the Kabukiza of the never-performed 5th act of "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura"; Yonekichi played the role of Kamei Rokurô Shigekiyo [more details].

June 1981: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Yorozuya guild; Nakamura Yonekichi IV, Nakamura Baishi III, Nakamura Mitsuteru and Ogawa Mikihiro respectively took the names of Nakamura Karoku V, Nakamura Tokizô V, Nakamura Kashô III and Nakamura Shidô II. The new Karoku played the role of Ichijô Ôkura Naganari in the drama "Ichijô Ôkura Monogatari".

July 1981: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi"; Karoku played the role of Ishii Hanjirô [casting].

April 1984: revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's 1813 kaomise drama "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma"; Karoku played the roles of Taira no Masamori and Usui Yukienojô Sadamitsu [more details].

October 2003: revival at the National Theatre with the Omodakaya guild of Nagawa Kamesuke I's drama "Hade Kurabe Ise Monogatari"; Karoku played the role of Dainagon Muneoka [casting].

September 2010: Karoku changed his yagô from Yorozuya to Harimaya in a special program at the Shinbashi Enbujô commemorating the great actor Nakamura Kichiemon I [more details].

November 2015: revival at the National Theatre of the drama "Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi" (tôshi kyôgen in 4 acts); Karoku played the roles of Eda Hangan Kagetsura and the ferryman Tonbê [more details|casting].

March 2017: "Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku" was staged as a tôshi kyôgen at the National Theatre. The core of this revival was "Okazaki". The third act, commonly called "Engakuji", which was staged for the last time in February 1931 at the Meijiza, was revived as well; Karoku played the role of Yamada Kôbê [more details | casting].

September 2023: Karoku received, as Kabuki wakiyaku actor, the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

Comments:

Nakamura Karoku V is a tachiyaku and katakiyaku actor of the Yorozuya guild, who used to perform regularly with the troupe led by Ichikawa Ennosuke III.

[1] From September 2010 to nowadays.

[2] From October 1971 to August 2010.

[3] From September 1955 to September 1971.

The mon of Nakamura Karoku V

The Nakamura Yonekichi line of actors

The Nakamura Karoku line of actors