Stage names:

Onoe Kikugorô V
Ichimura Kakitsu IV
Ichimura Uzaemon XIII
Ichimura Kurôemon

Others names:

Onoe Baikô V
Onoe Kurôemon I

Real name: Terashima Kiyoshi

Guilds: Otowaya, Tachibanaya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Poetry names: Baikô (5), Kakitsu (4)

Existence: 4th day of the 6th lunar month of 1844 ^[1] ~ 18 February 1903

Connections:

Grandfathers: Onoe Kikugorô III, Ichimura Uzaemon XI

Father: Ichimura Takenojô V

Brother: Bandô Kakitsu I

Sons: Onoe Kikugorô VI, Bandô Hikosaburô VI

Adopted sons: Onoe Kikunosuke II, Onoe Baikô VI

Grandsons: Ichimura Uzaemon XVII, Onoe Kurôemon II

Great-grandsons: Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII, Bandô Rakuzen, Ichimura Manjirô II, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô IV

Great-great-grandsons: Nakamura Kankurô VI, Nakamura Shichinosuke II, Bandô Hikosaburô IX, Bandô Kamezô III, Onoe Ukon II, Ichimura Takematsu VI, Ichimura Hikaru

Great-great-great-grandsons: Nakamura Kantarô III, Nakamura Chôzaburô II, Bandô Kamesaburô VI

Disciples: Onoe Matsusuke IV, Onoe Matsusuke V, Onoe Kikujirô III, Onoe Fujaku VII, Onoe Shinshichi IV, Onoe Kikujûrô II, Onoe Kikujûrô III, Onoe Kôzô II, Onoe Monzaburô IV, Bandô Muraemon I

Career:

4th day of the 6th lunar month of 1844 ^[1]: born in Edo in the district of Saruwaka-chô.

11th lunar month of 1848: he made his first appearance on stage, in Edo at the Ichimuraza, where he received the name of Ichimura Kurôemon.

24th day of the 4th lunar month of 1849 ^[2]: his grandfather Ôkawa Hashizô I (Onoe Kikugorô III) died.

1st lunar month of 1851: the actors Ichimura Uzaemon XII and Ichimura Kurôemon respectively took the names of Ichimura Takenojô V and Ichimura Uzaemon XIII; the new Uzaemon became the manager of the Ichimuraza.

20th day of 8th lunar month of 1851 ^[3]: his father Ichimura Takenojô V died in Edo.

1st lunar month of 1857: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Nezumi Komon Haru no Shingata" (commonly called "Nezumi Kozô"); Uzaemon played the role of the shijimi-uri Sankichi [casting].

7th lunar month of 1857: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ami Moyô Tôro no Kikukiri" (commonly called "Kozaru Shichinosuke"); Uzaemon played the role of Shichinosuke's younger sister Onami [casting].

3rd lunar month of 1858: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Edo Zakura Kiyomizu Seigen"; the nibanme of this drama was now entitled "Kurotegumi Kuruwa no Tatehiki" in the Kabuki repertoire (commonly called "Kurotegumi Sukeroku"); Uzaemon played the role of Sakichi [more details].

2nd lunar month of 1859: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kosode Soga Azami no Ironui" (commonly called "Izayoi Seishin"); Uzaemon played the roles of Koizuka Motome and the karuwazashi Kamekichi [casting].

1st lunar month of 1860: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Sannin Kichisa Kuruwa no Hatsugai"; Uzaemon played the role of Jûzaburô [casting].

28th day of the 6th lunar month of 1860 ^[4]: Onoe Kikugorô IV died in Edo.

2nd lunar month of 1861: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the dance "Chigiru Koi Haru no Awa Mochi"; Uzaemon played the role of an awa mochi maker [casting].

3rd lunar month of 1862: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Aoto Zôshi Hana no Nishikie" (commonly called "Shiranami Gonin Otoko"); Uzaemon played the role of Benten Kozô [casting].

Spring 1863: Ichimura Uzaemon XIII took the name of Ichimura Kakitsu IV.

2nd lunar month of 1864: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Soga Moyô Tateshi no Goshozome"; Kakitsu played the role of Hototogisu [casting].

11th lunar month of 1864: première at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Koharunagi Okitsu Shiranami"; Kakitsu played the role of Kogitsune Reizaburô [casting].

2nd lunar month of 1867: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's new year sogamono "Keisei Soga Kuruwa Kagami", in which was premiered the drama "Oshizu Reiza"; Kakitsu played the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, the spirit of the husband and wife pine tree of the Hakone mountain, Kosui no Nabematsu, the Okushûya tedai Reizaburô and the shinzô Hatsugiku [more details].

8th lunar month of 1868: the actors Ichimura Kakitsu IV and Ichimura Takematsu III respectively took the names of Onoe Kikugorô V and Ichimura Uzaemon XIV at the Ichimuraza.

1869: Kikugorô became zagashira at the Nakamuraza.

7th lunar month of 1869: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kichisama Mairu Yukari no Otozure"; Kikugorô played the roles of Yukanba Kichisa, Tabatake Jûzaburô, the koshimoto Osugi and Dozaemon Denkichi [casting].

3rd lunar month of 1870: premiere at the Nakamuraza of "Ume Goyomi Tatsumi no Sono", an adaptation to Kabuki by Kawatake Shinshichi II and Segawa Jokô III of Tamenaga Shunsui's 1833 novel "Shunshoku Ume Goyomi"; Kikugorô played the role of Karakotoya Tanjirô [casting]. Premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kusunoki-ryû Hanami no Makuhari" (commonly called "Keian Taiheiki" or "Marubashi Chûya"); Kikugorô played the roles of Budô Gorô Mitsukuni, Sekiguchi Hayato and Daikokuya Sôroku [more details].

1st lunar month of 1872: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Ume Kyôdai Naniwa Senki" (one act has survived and became the independent drama "Kimura Nagato-no-Kami"); Kikugorô played the roles of Kimura Shigenari, Anayama Kosuke and Katagiri Katsumoto [casting].

7th lunar month of 1872: Kikugorô played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Oiwa, Kohei and Yomoshichi in the drama "Oiwa Inari Rishô no Tamagushi" (similar to Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan"); the role of Iemon was played by Nakamura Shikan IV.

March 1873: premiere at the Murayamaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Taiko no Oto Chiyû Sanryaku"; Kikugorô played the role of Naruse Tôzô [casting].

June 1873: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijô", commonly called "Kamiyui Shinza"; Kikugorô played the roles of Shinza and Ôka Echizen [casting].

January 1875: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ôgi Byôshi Ôoka Seidan" (commonly called "Ten'ichibô"); Kikugorô played the roles of Hôtaku (later Ten'ichibô) and Hiraishi Jiemon [casting].

June 1876: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Hototogisu Date no Kikigaki"; Kikugorô played the roles of Katagiri Kojûrô, Sadô Chinga and Kannami Sanzaemon (in reality Narukami Mineemon) [casting].

December 1877: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kômonki Osana Kôshaku"; Kikugorô played the roles of Inaba Iwami-no-Kami, Fujii Mondayû, the sendô Kappa no Otozô & Kikumatsu (a performer at the Niwaka Festival) [more details].

June 1878: premiere at the Shintomiza of the 2-part dance-drama "Botan-ni Chô Ôgi no Irodori". The second part, "Suehiro no Shiroharigasa", has survived and became the Nagauta-based dance-drama "Genroku Hanami Odori"; Kikugorô performed in this dance [more details].

October 1878: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Jitsugetsusei Kyôwa Seidan"; Kikugorô played the roles of travelling actor Miyagawa Ushinosuke (later the priest Enmeiin Nittô) and the hinin Oguri no Umakichi [casting].

February 1879: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ningen Banji Kane no Yo no Naka"; Kikugorô played the role of Efu Rinnosuke [casting].

16 July 1879: Kikugorô took part in the gala night at the Shintomiza in the honor of the General Ulysses S. Grant [more details].

March 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kumo ni Magou Ueno no Hatsuhana"; Kikugorô played the role of Kataoka Naojirô [casting].

June 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's jidaimono "Youchi Soga Kariba no Akebono" [casting]; Kikugorô played the role of Oniô Shinzaemon (Jûrô's retainer). Premiere in the same theater of Kawatake Shinshichi II's dance-drama "Tsuchi-gumo", which was staged to commemorate the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial service) of late Onoe Kikugorô III; Kikugorô played the roles of the priest Chichû and the spirit of the ground spider [casting].

November 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono drama "Shima Chidori Tsuki no Shiranami"; Kikugorô played the role of Akashi no Shimazô, later Akashiya Shimazô [casting].

January 1883: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Medeshi Yanagi Midori no Matsumae"; Kikugorô played the role of Matsumae Gorobei [casting].

April 1883: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's Nagauta-based matsubamemono "Ibaraki"; Kikugorô played the roles of Mashiba and the demon of Mount Atago [casting].

May 1883: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa"; Kikugorô played the roles of Sôgorô and Otsuta [casting].

November 1883: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Zôho Tenjiku Tokubê", a revision of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's "Tenjiku Tokubê Ikoku Banashi"; Kikugorô played the roles of the sendô Tenjiku Tokubê, Dainichimaru, the teppô smith Kakuzô, the zatô Tokuichi and Shiba Saemon Yoshiteru [casting].

October 1884: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the roles of Oiwa, Kohei and Yomoshichi in the drama "Katamigusa Yotsuya Kaidan" (similar to Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan"); the role of Iemon was played by Kataoka Gadô III.

January 1885: two dances were staged at the Chitoseza, about to reopen in February 1885 with a new name. From the 4th to the 7th of January, two auspicious dances and a kôjô with the troupe led by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX were staged. The sanbasô was staged with Ichikawa Sadanji I (Okina), Bandô Kakitsu I (Senzai) and Kikugorô (Sanbasô). This was also the premiere of the Nagauta-based dance-drama "Tsuru Kame" [more details].

February 1885: Kikugorô took part in the opening ceremony of the Chitoseza [more details]. Premiere at the Chitoseza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Suitengû Megumi no Fukagawa"; Kikugorô played the roles of Funazu Kôbê and the thief Kotengû Yôjirô [casting].

November 1885: premiere at the Chitoseza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Shisen Ryô Koban no Ume-no-Ha"; Kikugorô played the roles of the mushuku Yashû no Tomizô and Daimoku no Shichibê (a member of the Chitose kôjû) [more details].

March 1886: première at the Chitoseza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Mekura Nagaya Ume-ga-Kagatobi"; Kikugorô played the roles of Umekichi, Dôgen and Shinigami [casting].

26 April 1887: the emperor viewed Kabuki for the first time at the residence of Inoue Kaoru, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The casting included the three leading stars Kikugorô, Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Ichikawa Sadanji I.

March 1890: premiere at the Kiriza of Takeshiba Kisui's drama "Kami no Megumi Wagô no Torikumi"; Kikugorô played the role of the tobigashira Tatsugorô [more details].

April 1890: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the drama "Hitotsuya"; Kikugorô played the leading role of the old woman Ibara.

October 1890: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Mokuami's Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Modoribashi"; Kikugorô played the roles of Sayuri and the demon of Mount Atago [casting].

November 1891: the title "Oto ni Kiku Tenjiku Tokubê" was used for the first time, in Tôkyô at the Fukanoza; Kikugorô played the roles of the sendô Tenjiku Tokubê, Dainichimaru, Fuwa Banzaemon and the zatô Tokuichi [casting].

January 1892: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Shiobara Tasuke Ichidaiki"; Kikugorô played the roles of Shiobara Tasuke and Michizure Kohei [casting].

July 1892: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Kaidan Botan Dôrô", adapted for Kabuki from a famous Rakugo story created by San'yûtei Enchô; Kikugorô played the roles of Tomozô and Oyone's ghost [casting]. Premiere also in the same theater of the dance "Makura Jidô", which starred Kikugorô in the role of Kikujidô.

18 March 1893: his younger brother Bandô Kakitsu I died.

January 1894: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the prestigious role of Princess Yaegaki in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô" [print].

28 August 1894: his disciple Onoe Fujaku VII died.

January 1898: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's dance-drama "Hagoromo"; Kikugorô played the role of the celestial creature [casting].

May 1898: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Edo Sodachi Omatsuri Sashichi"; Kikugorô played the role of Omatsuri Sashichi [casting].

April 1899: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Ichikawa Metora II.

January 1900: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's dance-drama "Yami no Ume Hyaku Monogatari"; Kikugorô played the roles of Shiraume, a kasa ippon ashi, a gaikotsu and a yomiuri [more details].

October 1902: premiere at the Kabukiza of Enokido Kenji's drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi"; Kikugorô played the role of Chôbê [casting].

November 1902: Kikugorô appeared on stage for the last time, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he played the roles of Kinai, Shizue and Benten Kôzô Kikunosuke in the drama "Chûshin Kanagaki Kôshaku".

18 February 1903: Kikugorô died in Tôkyô.

Comments:

Onoe Kikugorô V belonged to the triumvirat of stars who dominated the Kabuki world during the Meiji era (the two others were Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Ichikawa Sadanji I). He created with Kawatake Mokuami a new genre called zangirimono.

Onoe Kikugorô V's best roles: Benten Kozô Kikunosuke ("Shiranami Gonin Otoko"), Kataoka Naojirô ("Naozamurai"), Kamiyui Shinza ("Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijô"), Saitô Bettô Sanemori ("Sanemori Monogatari"), Satô Tadanobu/the fox Genkurô ("Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura"), Gosho no Gorozô ("Soga Moyô Tateshi no Goshozome"), Hayano Kanpei ("Kanadehon Chûshingura"), Masaoka ("Meiboku Sendai Hagi"), Oiwa/Kohei/Yomoshichi ("Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan").

Onoe Kikugorô V gathered his favourite dance-dramas in a collection named Shinko Engeki Jûsshu: "Rakan", "Kodera no Neko" (these 2 items were performed for the first time by his grandfather Onoe Kikugorô III), "Tsuchi-gumo", "Ibaraki", "Hitotsuya", "Modoribashi", "Kikujidô" and "Hagoromo". His son Onoe Kikugorô VI completed later on the collection by adding "Migawari Zazen" and "Osakabe Hime".

"He succeeded to the headship of the Onoe family, ranked with the ninth Danjûrô, and in some respects surpassed him. It was in drama of everyday life that Kikugorô most excelled, the sentimental and realistic having the greatest appeal for him." (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")

[1] The 4th day of the 6th lunar month of the 15th year of the Tenpô era was the 18th of July 1844 in the western calendar.

[2] The 24th day of the 4th lunar month of the 2nd year of the Kaei era was the 16th of May 1849 in the western calendar.

[3] The 20th day of the 8th lunar month of the 4th year of the Kaei era was the 15th of September 1851 in the western calendar.

[4] The 28th day of the 6th lunar month of the 1st year of the Man'en era was the 14th of August 1860 in the western calendar.

Onoe Kikugorô V playing the role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke in the new year sogamono drama "Gosho Ôgi Soga no Toshidama", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1870 at the Moritaza (print made by Toyohara Kunichika)

Prints & Illustrations

The Ichimura Uzaemon line of actors

The Ichimura Kakitsu line of actors

The Onoe Kikugorô line of actors