ONOE KIKUGORÔ VI

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

18 February 1903: his father Onoe Kikugorô V died.

March 1903: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Otowaya guild; the actors Onoe Ushinosuke II, Onoe Eizaburô V and Onoe Eizô respectively took the names of Onoe Kikugorô VI, Onoe Baikô VI and Onoe Eizaburô VI [more details]

May 1905: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke in the drama "Shiranami Gonin Otoko", a classic of the Otowaya guild.

June 1905: Kikugorô played in the same theater the roles of En'ya Hangan and Hayano Kanpei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged to commemorate the 2nd anniversary (3rd memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Kikugorô V.

December 1905: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the roles of Satô Tadanobu, the fox Genkurô, Tokaiya Ginpei and the warrior Taira no Tomomori in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

May 1906: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Jirokichi and Tokubê in the dramas "Sakanaya Chawan" and "Tenjiku Tokubê".

May 1907: he married Yasuko, a high-ranking geisha employed by the Mishimaya in the district of Shinbashi.

November 1907: amazing performance of Kikugorô at the Kabukiza in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura" in which he played seven roles (Naoyoshi, En'ya Hangan, Ishidô Umanojô, Ono Sadakurô, Hayano Kanpei, Senzaki Yagorô and Rikiya). He also played the main role of the dance-drama "Momijigari".

March 1908: Kikugorô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Sagami Gorô in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

May 1908: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Hayami no Tôta in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

July 1908: Kikugorô played in the same theater the roles of Otsuta and Sôgorô in the drama "Sakanaya Sôgorô".

Fall 1908: beginning of a new golden age for the Ichimuraza with the kikukichi duo.

November 1908: revival at the Kabukiza of "Kagekiyo", a drama belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban; Kikugorô played the role of Hanzawa Rokurô Narikiyo [casting]. He also played at the Ichimuraza the role of Gorozô in the drama "Gosho no Gorozô".

December 1908: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza (Yokosuka) the role of Abe no Munetô in the drama "Sodehagi Saimon"; his stage partners were Onoe Baikô VI (Sodehagi, Abe no Sadatô) and Morita Kan'ya XIII (Hachiman Tarô). Kikugorô also played the roles of Satô Tadanobu, the fox Genkurô, Kokingo and Kajiwara Kagetoki in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

January 1909: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of the firemen brigade leader Tatsugorô in the drama "Megumi no Kenka".

February 1909: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Shinobu in the "Ageya" act of the play "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi", which was staged in a special program commemorating the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Kikugorô V. At the same time, Onoe Baikô VI received the leadership of the Onoe clan.

September 1909: Kikugorô and Nakamura Kichiemon I played in alternance at the Ichimuraza the role of Chienai in the drama "Kikubatake".

October 1909: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Princess Takiyasha in the drama "Masakado"; the role of Mitsukuni was played by Nakamura Kichiemon I.

November 1909: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Princess Yaegaki in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô". He also played the role of Fudeya Kôbê in the drama "Suitengû Megumi no Fukagawa".

March 1910: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Hanago", adapted for Kabuki by Okamura Shikô and staged under the title "Migawari Zazen"; Kikugorô played the role of Ukyô [casting]. He also played the roles of Satô Tadanobu, the fox Genkurô and Igami no Gonta in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

October 1910: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Ginnojô in the drama "Kiri Hitoha".

June 1911: Kikugorô played for the first time the eponymous role of the drama "Kamiyui Shinza", which was staged at the Ichimuraza.

November 1911: Kikugorô played for the first time the role of Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki", which was staged at the Ichimuraza.

September 1912: Kikugorô played at the Shintomiza the role of the shirabyôshi Hanako in the great dance "Musume Dôjôji".

December 1912: Kikugorô played for the first time the role of Chôbê in the drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi", which was staged at the Misonoza (Nagoya).

1913: creation of the Kyôgenza, a study circle dedicated to Kabuki dances.

April 1913: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyôza the roles of Satô Tadanobu and the fox Genkurô in the "Shi-no-Kiri" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura"; the roles of Shizuka Gozen, Minamoto Yoshitsune and Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan were played by Ichikawa Monnosuke VI, Ichimura Kamezô III and Kataoka Ichizô IV.

January 1914: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the leading role in the dance "Kagami Jishi".

April 1914: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke in the drama "Shiranami Gonin Otoko". He also played the role of Musashibô Benkei in the dance-drame "Kanjinchô".

June 1914: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Sashichi in the drama "Omatsuri Sashichi".

July 1914: Kikugorô played for the first time the role of the villain Motoemon in the drama "Tengajaya-mura", which was staged at the Kabukiza; his stage partners were Onoe Eizaburô VI (Tôma Saburôemon), Bandô Mitsugorô VII (Iori), Onoe Fujaku VIII (Somenoi) and Morita Kan'ya XIII (Genjirô).

September 1914: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Furukawa Shinsui's drama "Ansei Kibun Tsukuda no Yoarashi"; Kikugorô played the roles of Aoki Teijirô and the tedai Kôshichi [more details].

January 1915: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the roles of the demon and the monk Seishin in the dance-drama "Ibaraki" and the drama "Izayoi Seishin".

November 1915: Kikugorô played the role of Motoemon at the Yokohamaza (Yokohama) in the drama "Tengajaya-mura"; his stage partners were Bandô Hikosaburô VI (Tôma Saburôemon), Bandô Mitsugorô VII (Iori) and Ichikawa Shinnosuke V (Genjirô). Kikugorô also played at the Ichimuraza the roles of Sukune Tarô and Sakuramaru in the "Dômyôji" and "Kurumabiki" scenes of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

January 1916: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Bô Shibari", which was adapted to kabuki by Okamura Shikô; Kikugorô played the role of Jirôkaja [casting]. He also played the role of Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri"; the role of Ishikawa Goemon was played by Nakamura Kichiemon I.

May 1916: a stone commemorating the memory of Onoe Kikugorô V was erected in the precinct of temple Fudôson in the district of Fukagawa in Tôkyô.

1916: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the Kabuki adaptation of the kyôgen "Bô Shibari". The script was written by Okamura Shikô and the 2 main roles were played by Kikugorô and Bandô Mitsugorô VII.

May ~ June 1916: tour in the southern and western provinces of Japan with the actors Bandô Mitsugorô VII, Onoe Kikujirô III and Bandô Hikosaburô VI. Kikugorô played the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

August 1916: Kikugorô played at the Imperial Theater the role of Igami no Gonta in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

December 1916: Kikugorô played at the Yokohamaza (Yokohama) the role of Igami no Gonta in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

July 1917: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Tachi Nusubito", adapted for Kabuki by Okamura Shikô. Kikugorô, Bandô Hikosaburô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII played the 3 roles of the dance.

September 1918: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Okamura Shikô's dance-drama "Imohori Chôja"; Kikugorô played the role of the imohori Tôgorô [casting].

November 1918: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Omezô IV (Shizuka Gozen) and Nakamura Tôzô V (Hayami no Tôta).

December 1918: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Nangô Rikimaru in the drama "Shiranami Gonin Otoko".

March 1919: Kikugorô played the role of Chôbê at the Imperial Theater in the drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi"; the role of Okane was played by Onoe Kikujirô III.

September 1919: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; the role of Takebe Genzô was played by Nakamura Kichiemon I.

October 1919: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Motoemon in the drama "Tengajaya-mura"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Tôma Saburôemon), Bandô Mitsugorô VII (Iori) and Nakamura Tokizô III (Genjirô).

February 1920: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Oshô Kichisa in the drama "Sannin Kichisa"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Obô Kichisa) and Sawamura Sônosuke I (Ojô Kichisa).

Beginning of 1921: Nakamura Kichiemon I left the Ichimuraza to join the Shôchiku Company, bringing the age of the kikukichi duo to an end.

March 1921: premiere at the Imperial Theater of the dance-drama "Chatsubo", which was adapted from kyôgen to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô and starred Bandô Mitsugorô VII and Kikugorô. Kikugorô also played the role of Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki".

September 1921: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Yamamoto Yûzô's drama "Sakazaki Dewa-no-Kami"; Kikugorô played the role of Sakazaki Narimasa [more details].

October 1921: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the roles of Satô Tadanobu and the fox Genkurô in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

February 1922: premiere at the Ichimuraza of "Shibahama no Kawazaifu", a drama adapted from a famous Rakugo story created by San'yûtei Enchô. Kikugorô and Sawamura Sônosuke I played the roles of Masagorô and Masagorô's wife Otatsu. Kikugorô also played the role of Takebe Genzô in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Ôtani Tomoemon VI (Matsuômaru), Sawamura Sônosuke I (Chiyo) and Ichikawa Kigan V (Tonami).

February 1923: premiere with a Kabuki casting at the Ichimuraza of Suzuki Senzaburô's ninjômono drama "Jirokichi Zange"; Kikugorô played the role of the delivery man Heijirô, in reality the thief Nezumi Kozô [more details].

March 1923: premiere at the Imperial Theater of Osanai Kaoru's drama "Musuko"; Kikugorô played the role of the buraikan Kinjirô [more details].

April 1923: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke in the play "Shiranami Gonin Otoko".

December 1924: Kikugorô played at the Hôrakuza the role of Chôbê in the drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Kigan V (Okane) and Onoe Eizaburô VII (Ohisa).

May 1925: Kikugorô played the role of Motoemon at the Shinbashi Enbujô in the drama "Tengajaya-mura"; his stage partners were Bandô Hikosaburô VI (Tôma Saburôemon), Morita Kan'ya XIII (Iori) and Ichikawa Omezô IV (Genjirô).

June 1925: premiere at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Suzuki Senzaburô's drama "Ikite-iru Koheiji"; Kikugorô played the role of Takurô [more details]. He also played the roles of Satô Tadanobu, the fox Genkurô and Sagami Gorô in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

1926: Kikugorô joined the Shôchiku Company.

January 1926: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the roles of Terukuni and Takebe Genzô in the "Dômyôji" and "Terakoya" scenes of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

April 1926: Kikugorô played at the Hongôza the roles of En'ya Hangan and Hayano Kanpei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of Okaru was played by Nakamura Tokizô III.

September 1926: Kikugorô played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Omezô IV (Shizuka Gozen) and Onoe Izaburô (Hayami no Tôta).

March 1927: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Kômori Yasu in the drama "Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi" (commonly called "Kirare Yosa").

September 1927: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Kojirô/Atsumori in the "Jinmon" and "Kumiuchi" scenes of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"; the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

January 1928: Kikugorô played at the Ichimuraza the role of Tamate Gozen in the drama "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Chûsha VII (Gappô), Bandô Takesaburô IV (Princess Asaka) and Ichikawa Omezô IV (Takayasu Shuntokumaru).

February 1928: Kikugorô played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Omezô IV (Shizuka Gozen) and Bandô Hikosaburô VI (Hayami no Tôta).

April 1928: Kikugorô played at the Meijiza the role of Takebe Genzô in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Matsuômaru), Nakamura Tokizô III (Chiyo) and Onoe Taganojô III (Tonami).

June 1928: premiere at the Kabukiza of Okamura Shikô's dance-drama "Maboroshi Wankyû", starring Kikugorô in the role of Wan'ya Kyûbê.

November 1928: premiere at the Kabukiza of Oka Onitarô's dance-drama "Kakuju Senzai"; Kikugorô played the role of a princess, later a female crane [more details].

February 1929: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of En'ya Hangan, Okaru, Hayano Kanpei and Kobayashi Heihachirô in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

June 1929: revival at the Kabukiza of the dance "Gannin Bôzu", which was premiered in the 3rd lunar month of 1811 by Bandô Mitsugorô III. It was staged under the title "Ukare Bôzu". The role of the bonze look-alike beggar was played by the star Kikugorô, who used a different musical accompaniment, written by Kiyomoto Enjudayû V. He also played the role of Princess Toki in the drama "Kamakura Sandaiki"; his partners in the roles of Sasaki Takatsuna and Miuranosuke were Ichikawa Chûsha VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

November 1929: Kikugorô played at the Meijiza the role of Igami no Gonta in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

January 1930: Kikugorô played at the Meijiza the roles of Masaoka and Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi".

February 1930: Kikugorô played at the Meijiza the role of Umeômaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Matsuômaru), Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (Sakuramaru) and Onoe Kôzô II (Shihei).

April 1930: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the roles of Satô Tadanobu and the fox Genkurô in the "Shi-no-Kiri" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

May 1930: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Tamate Gozen in the drama "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Chûsha VII (Gappô), Ichikawa Omezô IV (Princess Asaka) and Nakamura Fukusuke V (Takayasu Shuntokumaru).

November 1930: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of En'ya Hangan and Genroku in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

January 1931: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Matsuômaru in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Genzô), Nakamura Fukusuke V (Chiyo) and Onoe Taganojô III (Tonami).

February 1931: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Kokingo, Yasuke and Taira no Koremori in the "Ko-no-Mi", "Kokingo Uchijini" and "Sushiya" scenes of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

March 1931: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the roles of Yashio and Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the roles of Masaoka and Hosokawa Katsumoto were played by Onoe Baikô VI and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

July 1931: premiere in Tôkyô at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the Hasegawa Shin's drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri"; Kikugorô played the role of Môhei; the role of Otsuta was played by Nakamura Fukusuke V [casting]. He also played the roles of Tokaiya Ginpei and Taira no Tomomori in the "Tokaiya" and "Daimotsu no Ura" scenes of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

March 1931: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Nangô Rikimaru in the drama "Shiranami Gonin Otoko".

February 1932: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Shizuka Gozen in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Satô Tadanobu) and Nakamura Kichiemon I (Hayami no Tôta). Kikugorô plays also the role of Oshô Kichisa in the drama "Sannin Kichisa"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Obô Kichisa) and Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Ojô Kichisa).

March 1932: the duo Onoe Kikugorô - Ichimura Uzaemon played for the first time the roles of Kasane and Yoemon in the dance-drama "Iro Moyô Chotto Karimame", which was staged at the Kabukiza.

April 1932: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Takebe Genzô in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Matsuômaru), Nakamura Tokizô III (Chiyo) and Onoe Taganojô III (Tonami).

May 1932: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Hayano Kanpei and Teraoka Heieomon in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

June 1932: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Irezumi Chôhan"; Kikugorô played the role of Hantarô [casting].

November 1932: revival at the Kabukiza of "Gedatsu", a drama belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban; Kikugorô played the role of Ema no Koshirô Yoshitoki [more details]. Kikugorô also played in the same theater the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; the roles of Shizuka Gozen and Hayami no Tôta were played by Sawamura Sôjûrô VII and Bandô Hikosaburô VI. Kikugorô also played the role of Shinbê in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Sukeroku, Agemaki and Ikyû were played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV, Onoe Baikô VI and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII. Kikugorô also played the role of Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

January 1933: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

July 1933: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Oiwa, Kohei and Naosuke in the kaidanmono "Yotsuya Kaidan".

September 1933: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the Nagauta-based kyôgen "Takatsuki", which was adapted for Kabuki by Hisamatsu Issei (lyrics) and Kashiwa Izaburô (music) and performed by Kikugorô and Bandô Mitsugorô VII. Premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kawamura Karyô's drama "Jôshû Miyage Hyakuryô Kubi"; Kikugorô played the role of Itaba no Shôtarô (later the ryôrinin Shôtarô) [more details].

October 1933: Kikugorô played the role of Motoemon at the Kabukiza in the drama "Tengajaya-mura"; his stage partners were Jitsukawa Enjaku II (Tôma Saburôemon), Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Iori), Ichikawa Omezô IV (Somenoi) and Ichimura Kakitsu VII (Genjirô).

December 1933: Kikugorô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Chôbê in the drama "Bunshichi Mottoi"; his stage partners were Onoe Taganojô III (Okane) and Onoe Ushinosuke IV (Ohisa).

January 1934: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Princess Yaegaki in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Katsuyori) and Onoe Baikô VI (Nureginu). Kikugorô also played the role of Sakuramaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Matsuômaru) and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (Umeômaru).

April 1934: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Onoe Baikô VI (Shizuka Gozen) and Bandô Hikosaburô VI (Hayami no Tôta).

June 1934: premiere in Tôkyô at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Kurayami no Ushimatsu"; Kikugorô played the role of the ryôrinin Ushimatsu [casting].

November 1934: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of the Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

January 1935: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Ojô Kichisa in the drama "Sannin Kichisa"; his stage partners were Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (Oshô Kichisa) and Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Obô Kichisa).

February 1935: Kikugorô played at the Minamiza (Kyôto) the roles of Satô Tadanobu and the fox Genkurô in the "Shi-no-Kiri" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also played the role of Chôbê in "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi".

March ~ April 1935: the Kabukiza commemorated the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Kikugorô V with a great name-taking ceremony for several actors of the Otowaya guild. Onoe Ushinosuke IV, Matsumoto Yutaka, Bandô Kamesaburô III and Onoe Izaburô respectively took the names of Onoe Kikunosuke III, Onoe Shôroku II, Bando Shinsui VII and Onoe Matsusuke V.

September 1935: premiere at the Kabukiza of Uno Nobuo's drama "Kôdan Yomiya no Ame"; Kikugorô played the role of Ryûtatsu [more details]. He also played the role of Chôbê in the drama "Bunshichi Mottoi"; his stage partners were Onoe Taganojô III (Okane) and Onoe Kikunosuke III (Ohisa).

November 1935: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Onatsu in the dance "Onatsu Kyôran".

January 1936: premiere at the Kabukiza of the shosagoto "Kasuga Ryûjin"; Kikugorô played the main roles.

February 1936: Kikugorô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Motoemon in the drama "Tengajaya-mura"; his stage partners were Bandô Hikosaburô VI (Tôma Saburôemon), Bandô Mitsugorô VII (Iori), Onoe Kikujirô IV (Somenoi) and Ichikawa Omezô IV (Genjirô).

April 1936: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Genzô), Nakamura Tokizô III (Tonami) and Nakamura Baigyoku III (Chiyo).

May 1936: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also played the role of Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri"; the role of Ishikawa Goemon was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

January 1937: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Sakuramaru), Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (Umeômaru) and Nakamura Utaemon V (Shihei).

March 1937: Kikugorô played for the first time, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, the main role of the dance "Fuji Musume".

April 1937: revival at the Kabukiza of the "Fudô", a drama belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban; Kikugorô played the role of Chitoseya Miyoshino [more details]. Kikugorô also played at the Kabukiza the role of the Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

June 1937: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Princess Yaegaki in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Katsuyori) and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (Nureginu).

November 1937: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of En'ya Hangan and Sadakurô in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

May 1938: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Genzô in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Matsuômaru), Onoe Kikujirô IV (Tonami) and Sawamura Tosshô IV (Chiyo).

October 1938: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of En'ya Hangan, Okaru and Hayano Kanpei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

November 1938: Kikugorô played for the last time the role of the villain Motoemon in the drama "Tengajaya-mura", which was staged at the Ôsaka Kabukiza; his stage partners were Ôtani Tomoemon VI (Tôma Saburôemon), Nakamura Baigyoku III (Iori), Ichikawa Omezô IV (Somenoi) and Bandô Mitsugorô VII (Genjirô).

January 1939: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Genzô), Nakamura Tokizô III (Chiyo) and Ichikawa Omezô IV (Tonami).

March 1939: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke in the drama "Shiranami Gonin Otoko".

April 1939: Kikugorô played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were the same as the January performance.

May 1939: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonkô"; the role of Otoku was played by Nakamura Baigyoku III.

March 1940: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Moronô, Ishidô Umanojô, Okaru and Shimizu Ikkaku in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

April 1940: Kikugorô played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonkô"; the role of Otoku was played by Nakamura Baigyoku III.

October 1940: the Kabukiza commemorated the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Baikô VI. Kikugorô and his son Onoe Ukon (who took the name of Onoe Kurôemon II) played the roles of Soga Jûrô and Soga Gorô in the drama "Kotobuki Soga no Taimen".

January 1941: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Terakoya" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

March 1941: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Umeômaru in the "Kurumabiki" and "Ga no Iwai" scenes of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

April 1941: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

June 1941: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Tamate Gozen in the drama "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kichiemon I (Gappô), Ichikawa Omezô IV (Princess Asaka) and Nakamura Tokizô III (Takayasu Shuntokumaru).

November 1941: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Satô Tadanobu and the fox Genkurô in the "Shi-no-Kiri" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also played the role of Yuranosuke in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

March 1942: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the roles of Nuregami Chôgorô and the courtesan Fujiya Azuma in the "Sumôba" scene of the play "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; Ichimura Uzaemon XV played the role of Hanaregoma Chôkichi and Yamazaki Yogorô.

April 1942: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Chôbê in the drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi"; his stage partners were Onoe Taganojô III (Okane) and Onoe Kikunosuke III (Ohisa).

January 1943: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Ichimura Kakitsu VII (Shizuka Gozen) and Ôtani Tomoemon VI (Hayami no Tôta). Kikugorô also played the roles of Kan Shôjô and Matsuômaru in the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

March 1943: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

April 1943: Kikugorô played in the same theater for the last time the role of Kômori Yasu in the drama "Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi" (commonly called "Kirare Yosa").

May 1943: Kikugorô played in the same theater the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonkô"; the role of Otoku was played by Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

June 1943: Kikugorô played in the same theater the roles of Yuranosuke and Tonase in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

November 1943: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

December 1943: Kikugorô and Ichimura Uzaemon played together for the last time, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, the roles of Kasane and Yoemon in the dance-drama "Iro Moyô Chotto Karimame". Kikugorô also played the role of Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

February 1944: Kikugorô played at the Kabukiza the role of Nuregami Chôgorô in the "Sumôba" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; his stage partners were Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Hanaregoma Chôkichi, Yamazaki Yogorô) and Onoe Kikunosuke III (the courtesan Fujiya Azuma).

July 1944: Kikugorô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonkô"; the role of Otoku was played by Ichikawa Omezô IV.

October 1944: Kikugorô played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Chôbê in the drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi"; his stage partners were Onoe Taganojô III (Okane) and Onoe Kikunosuke III (Ohisa).

April 1945: Kikugorô played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

December 1945: Kikugorô played at the Minamiza (Kyôto) the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonkô"; the role of Otoku was played by Nakamura Baigyoku III.

May 1946: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke in the drama "Shiranami Gonin Otoko".

October 1946: Kikugorô played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Nakamura Baigyoku III (Shizuka Gozen) and Onoe Shôroku II (Hayami no Tôta).

November 1946: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô"; the courtesan Yûgiri was played by Nakamura Baigyoku III.

December 1946: Kikugorô and Nakamura Baigyoku performed together in Kyôto at the Minamiza in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô".

March 1947: Kikugorô and Nakamura Baigyoku performed together in Nagoya at the Chûkyô Gekijô in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô".

May 1947: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the roles of Terukuni, Sakuramaru and Matsuômaru in the "Dômyôji", "Ga no Iwai" and "Terakoya" scenes of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

June 1947: Kikugorô and Nakamura Baigyoku performed together at the Ôsaka Kabukiza in the dramas "Kuruwa Bunshô" and "Keisei Hangonkô".

October 1947: Kikugorô played at the Yûrakuza the role of Satô Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; his stage partners were Ichikawa Omezô IV (Shizuka Gozen) and Onoe Shôroku II (Hayami no Tôta).

November 1947: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the roles of Moronô and Hayano Kanpei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

December 1947: Kikugorô played the role of Gappô in Kyôto at the Minamiza in the drama "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji"; his stage partners were Nakamura Baigyoku III (Tamate Gozen), Onoe Baikô VII (Princess Asaka) and Bandô Mitsugorô VII (Takayasu Shuntokumaru).

March 1948: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Sanemori in the "Sanemori Monogatari" scene of the play "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki".

April 1948: opening ceremony for the new Shinbashi Enbujô; Kikugorô played the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Kuruwa no Momoyogusa".

October 1948: Kikugorô played for the last time the roles of Satô Tadanobu, the fox Genkurô and Igami no Gonta, in Tôkyô at the Shinbashi Enbujô, in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also played the roles of Ushimatsu and Kikuha no Mae in the drama "Kurayami no Ushimatsu" and the dance "Sumidagawa".

December 1948: Kikugorô played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the main role of the Kiyomoto-based dance "Sumidagawa".

February 1949: Kikugorô played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Yuranosuke in the "Gion Ichiriki Jaya" act of the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of Okaru was played by Onoe Baikô VII.

March 1949: Kikugorô played for the last time the main role of the dance "Fuji Musume", which was staged at the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

April 1949: Kikugorô appeared on stage for the last time, in Tôkyô at the Tôkyô Gekijô, where he performed in the dramas "Terakoya" and "Kagatobi". He collapsed at home the evening of the second day of the performance and had to be replaced.

10 July 1949: Kikugorô died in Tôkyô.

Comments:

Onoe Kikugorô VI was a Kabuki stage giant, who was active from the second half of the 1880s to the end of the 1940s. He was one of the most celebrated actors, an outstanding dancer and a magnificent kaneru yakusha without peer during the first half of the 20th century.

"The theatre critic Atsumi Seitarô wrote in his book Rokudaime Kikugorô Hyôden (Critical Biography of Kikugorô VI) that 'by around 1936 Kikugorô had established an unchallengeable position in the theatrical world. He had in reality become the king of the theatre.' It seems likely that the theatrical style of the deified Kikugorô VI attained its definitive form at this time and was recognized to have done so by audiences and critics." (from otowaya.ne.jp)

"Kikugorô VI is remembered and revered as one of the most potent forces in twentieth-century Kabuki." (Samuel Leiter, "New Kabuki Encyclopedia").

Onoe Kikugorô VI trained two of the best actors of the second half of the 20th century, the tachiyaku Onoe Shôroku II and the onnagata Onoe Baikô VII.

Onoe Kikugorô VI playing the role of Hayano Kanpei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura" in a print made by Natori Shunsen in 1929

Prints & Illustrations

The Onoe Ushinosuke line of actors

The Onoe Kikugorô line of actors