Stage names:

Kawarasaki Kunitarô V
Ichikawa Emiya I

Real name: Matsuyama Tarô

Guild: Yamazakiya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Existence: 14 October 1909 ~ 11 October 1990

Connections:

Master: Ichikawa Ennosuke II

Grandson: Kawarasaki Kunitarô VI

Career:

14 October 1909: born in Tôkyô in the district of Kanda.

April 1928: he became disciple of the actor Ichikawa Ennosuke II, received the name of Ichikawa Emiya I and appeared on stage for the first time, at the Hongôza.

May 1931: he joined the progressive troupe Zenshinza founded and led by Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV and Nakamura Kan'emon III.

April 1932: he took the name of Kawarasaki Kunitarô V, playing the role of Masaoka in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi", which was staged at the Ichimuraza.

November 1933: the Zenshinza troupe produced for the first time the dance-drama "Kanjinchô" at the Shinbashi Enbujô with Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV (Benkei), Nakamura Kan'emon III (Togashi) and Kunitarô (Yoshitsune).

December 1940: Kunitarô played for the first time the role of Otsuta in the drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri", which was staged at the Shinbashi Enbujô; the role of Komagata Mohê was played by Nakamura Kan'emon III.

1958 ~ 1959: the Zenshinza troupe produced the bombastic play "Gedatsu" with Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV and Kunitarô in the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and the courtesan Akoya. The play was staged in January 1958 in Nagoya (Misonoza), in February 1958 in Ôsaka (Kabukiza), in March 1958 in Kyôto (Minamiza) and in July 1959 in Tôkyô (Meijiza).

December 1959: Kunitarô played at the Meijiza the role of Sakuraya Koman in Namiki Gohei I's drama "Godairiki Koi no Fûjime"; his stage partners were Nakamura Kan'emon III (Sasano Sangobê) and Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV (Satsuma Gengobê).

December 1978: Kunitarô played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the roles of Unzari Omatsu, Taheiji's wife Omichi and Sajûrô's wife Satsuki in the drama "Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji".

December 1982: Kunitarô played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Otsuta in the drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri"; the role of Komagata Mohê was played by Nakamura Umenosuke IV.

August 1983: Kunitarô played at the National Theatre the role of Oshun in Katsu Hyôzô I's drama "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure"; the role of Shirafuji Genta was played by Arashi Keishi.

11 October 1990: Kunitarô died.

Comments:

Kawarasaki Kunitarô V was the tateonnagata of the Zenshinza troupe from 1931 up to his passing away in 1990. He was one of the leading actors of the first generation of Zenshinza actors. He excelled in roles like Dote no Oruku ("Osome no Nanayaku"), Otsuta ("Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri"), Otomi ("Kirare Otomi") or Unzari no Omatsu ("Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji").

Kawarazaki Kunitarô V playing the role de Oshun in the drama "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure"

The Ichikawa Emiya line of actors

The Kawarasaki Kunitarô line of actors