Stage name:

Sawamura Kuniya

Real name: Yoshikawa Fumikazu

Guild: Kinokuniya

Birthday: 9 June 1978

Connections:

Master: Sawamura Tôjûrô II

Career:

9 June 1978: born in Saitama Prefecture.

1987 ~ 1992: he was active in two performing troupes, the Gekidan Tôhai and the Otowa Gurûpu.

September 1988: he appeared on a Kabuki stage for the first time, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, where he played the role of a koshô in the drama "Kôchiyama" ^[1].

May 1991: he played at the Kabukiza the role of the sword-holder Otowaka in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô" ^[2], which was staged to celebrated the shûmei of Onoe Tatsunosuke II.

March 1995: he became disciple of Sawamura Tôjûrô II.

May 1995: first official stage appearance, in Kotohira at the Kanamaruza, where he received the name of Sawamura Kuniya and performed in the drama "Yoshidaya".

February 2010: he became nadai and celebrated it at the Kabukiza, where he performed in the drama "Kagotsurube".

Comments:

Sawamura Kuniya is a promising onnagata/tachiyaku actor of the Kinokuniya guild. He often performs with the Nakamuraya guild. He will take the name of Sawamura Kiyoshirô II in December 2024 at the Kabukiza.

[1] This drama was staged within a Kabuki program commemorating the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of late Matsumoto Hakuô I.

[2] The roles of Musashibô Benkei, Togachi Saemon and Minamoto no Yoshitsune were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô XII, Onoe Kikugorô VII and Onoe Tatsunosuke II.