Stage names:

Nakamura Kosanza II
Nakamura Shiomi
Nakamura Chôkichi 0.1
Nakamura Koyone

Real name: Fukui Sadao

Guild: Nakamuraya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Existence: 20 August 1920 ~ 6 April 2015

Connections:

Masters: Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII, Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII

Career:

October 1926: he became disciple of Nakamura Yonekichi III and appeared on stage for the first time in Tôkyô at the Hongôza, where he received the name of Nakamura Koyone and played the role of Jûtarô's son in the drama "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku". Later on, he took the name of Nakamura Chôkichi.

June 1948: he became nadai and took the name of Nakamura Shiomi at the Tôkyô Gekijô, performing in the drama "Manaita Chôbê".

April 1959: Nakamura Shiomi took the name of Nakamura Kosanza II at the Kabukiza, performing in the drama "Mukashi Banashi Momotarô", which celebrated the first stage appearance of his master's son Nakamura Kankurô V.

November 1961: premiere in Kabuki at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Korikori Banashi"; Kosanza played the role of Okoma [casting].

16 April 1988: his master Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII died.

5 December 2012: his second master Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII died.

January 2015: Kosanza appeared on stage for the last time, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he played the role of Omatsu in the drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri".

6 April 2015: Kosanza died.

Comments:

Nakamura Kosanza II was a veteran onnagata actor of the Nakamuraya and a faithful stage/backstage assistant of both Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII and Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII. The former actor once said, while he was sick, "if I die, put Kosanza with me in my coffin". His most notable role was Takuetsu's wife Oiro in Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan".

The mon of Nakamura Kosanza II (the ginkgo tree)