Pen names:

Takeshiba Kisui
Takeshiba Shinzô
Noshi Shinzô

Real name: Okada Shinzô

Existence: 1847 ~ 7 February 1923

Connection:

Masters: Kawatake Mokuami, Sakurada Jisuke III

Career:

1847: born in Edo. His father was a carpenter. Later, he was adopted in the family of a lumber wholesaler living and working in the district of Kyôbashi in Edo.

1873: he becomes disciple of Kawatake Shinshichi II and changes his name to Takeshiba Shinzô.

1884: he becomes tatesakusha.

1887: he takes the name of Takeshiba Kisui. Kisui is the haimyô of his master Kawatake Mokuami.

March 1890: premiere at the Kiriza of Kisui's drama "Kami no Megumi Wagô no Torikumi" [more details].

July 1890: premiere at the Shintomiza of "Kiyomasa Seichûroku", a revision by Kawatake Shinshichi III and Kisui of the 1875 drama "Minori no Aki Seishô Denki". It was part of a special 2-day gala program starring Ichikawa Danjûrô IX [more details].

November 1893: premiere at the Meijiza of Kisui's drama "Tôyama Zakura Tenpô Nikki" [more details].

October 1898: premiere at the Meijiza of Kisui's dance-drama "Sannin Katawa" [casting].

7 February 1923: Kisui dies in Tôkyô

Comments:

Takeshiba Kisui was a Meiji and Taishô playwright who created around 70 dramas and had a strong work relationship with the Meiji star Ichikawa Sadanji I. Only two of Takeshiba Kisui's works are still (more or less) regularly staged: the drama "Megumi no Kenka" and the dance-drama "Sannin Katawa". "Tôyama Zakura Tenpô Nikki" was revived in December 2008 at the National Theatre.