Stage names:

Iwai Kumesaburô V
Iwai Hisajirô IV
Iwai Kinomaru

Other name:

Iwai Hanshirô IX

Real name: Iwai Hisajirô

Guild: Yamatoya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Poetry name: Enji

Existence: 28 June 1882 ~ 13 April 1945

Connections:

Father: Iwai Kumesaburô IV

Adopted son: Segawa Kikunojô VI

Granddaughter: Iwai Shijaku V (dance master of the Iwai school)

Great-granddaughter: Iwai Baiga IV (dance master of the Iwai school)

Great-great-granddaughter: Iwai Baiga V (dance master of the Iwai school)

Career:

28 June 1882: born in Asakusa in the district of Hanakawado.

15 July 1886: his father Iwai Kumesaburô IV died.

August 1887: he made his first stage appearance and received the name of Iwai Kinomaru.

April 1894: Iwai Kinomaru took the name of Iwai Hisajirô IV at the Meijiza.

October 1906: Iwai Hisajirô IV took the name of Iwai Kumesaburô V at the Tôkyôza.

June 1907: the dance-drama "Kyô Ningyô" was staged for the first time under the title "Meisaku Hidari Kogatana" at the Miyatoza; Kumesaburô played the role of Jingorô's wife Otoku [more details].

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

February 1931: Kumesaburô played at the Kotobukiza the role of the koshimoto Otaka, later the mekake Oran-no-Kata, in the drama "Uekiya"; the role of Otaka's lover Yashichi (in reality Senzaki Yagorô) was played by his adopted son Segawa Sengyo.

13 April 1945: Kumesaburô died.

Comments:

Iwai Kumesaburô V was a good onnagata actor, the last one of the moribund Iwai clan. He spent the best years of his career at the Ichimuraza before moving to the Daikokuza, a koshibai theater in the district of Yotsuya in Tôkyô. He spent a few years in Kamigata and went back to Tôkyô, performing only in koshibai theaters up to his death. He was often ill in his latter years. His forte were keisei or princesses roles. He was also good in some nimaime roles, like Shirai Gonpachi in the drama "Suzu-ga-Mori", a role popularized by the Iwai Hanshirô line of actors. He contributed to the revival of the Segawa Kikunojô line but could not preserve his own. He was also the family head of a branch of the Iwai school of dance (Buyô). He posthumously received the name of Iwai Hanshirô IX in 1951.

Iwai Kumesaburô V playing the role of Misao in the drama "Ehon Taikôki"

The Iwai Hisajirô line of actors

The Iwai Kumesaburô line of actors

The Iwai Hanshirô line of actors