Stage names:

Iwai Sagenta I
Ikushima Shinnojô
Iwai Sagenta I

Others names: Satarô, Kyûbê

Line number: SHODAI (I)

Existence: ???

Connection:

Masters: Ikushima Shingorô, Iwai Hanshirô I

Career:

1st lunar month of 1693: disciple of Iwai Hanshirô I, his first stage name was Iwai Sagenta I; he performed in Ôsaka as a wakashugata in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Butsumo Mayasan Kaichô".

1st lunar month of 1698: Sagenta became wakaonnagata; premiere at Hayagumo Chôdayû's theater of the drama "Keisei Asama-ga-Dake"; Sagenta played the role of the courtesan Ôshû [casting].

1st lunar month of 1699: Premiere at Miyako Mandayû's theater of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Hotoke no Hara", which was produced by Sakata Tôjûrô I; Sagenta played the role of the keisei Ôshû [casting]. This was a huge success.

Fall 1700: Sagenta went to Edo.

11th lunar month of 1700: Sagenta played at the Ichimuraza the role of Iwase-no-Mae in the kaomise drama "Shôgei Hatsukoi Sanryaku no Maki".

3rd lunar month of 1701: Sagenta's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual].

11th lunar month of 1702: Sagenta played at the Yamamuraza the role of Miyagino-no-Mae in the kaomise drama "Yunzei Otokoyama Hachiman Tarô".

3rd lunar month of 1703: Sagenta's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, fell to jô-jô (superior - superior) [visual].

Fall 1703: Sagenta went to Ôsaka.

11th lunar month of 1703: Sagenta performed in Ôsaka in the kaomise program, which was produced by his master son Iwai Hanshirô II (unknown title).

4th lunar month of 1704: Sagenta's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô (superior - superior) [visual].

1st lunar month of 1705: Sagenta went to Kyôto; he played the role of the keisei Michinoku in the new year drama "Keisei Hachisu no Ito", which was staged in Kyôto at Kameya Kumenojô's theater.

2nd lunar month of 1706: Sagenta's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô (superior - superior) [visual].

Fall 1708: Sagenta went to Edo.

11th lunar month of 1708: Sagenta performed at the Moritaza in the kaomise drama "Onna Sanbijin Imose Nishiki".

3rd lunar month of 1709: Sagenta's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent) [visual].

End of 1709: he became disciple of Ikushima Shingorô and received the name of Ikushima Shinnojô.

1st lunar month of 1710: he became tachiyaku and played at the Yamamuraza the role of Minamoto no Yoritomo in the new year drama "Keisei Izu Nikki".

11th lunar month of 1713: he took back the name of Iwai Sagenta I and became wakaonnagata, playing at the Moritaza the role of Omune in the kaomise drama "Yorimasa Taikyoku no Mato".

1st lunar month of 1714: Sagenta's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, was jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent) [visual].

11th lunar month of 1715: Sagenta appeared on stage for the last time, in Edo at the Ichimuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Banzei Onna Hachinoki". No record afterwards.

Comments:

Iwai Sagenta I was born and raised in Kamigata, where he learnt the art of acting before coming down to Edo and becoming one of the best onnagata actors during the Genroku era. He excelled in keisei roles. He formed with Sawamura Kodenji I and Hayakawa Hatsuse a popular threesome of onnagata in Edo. He was also a great musician, able to sing or to play shamisen.

Iwai Sagenta I (top) and Katsuyama Matagorô (bottom) in a print made by Torii Kiyonobu I

The Iwai Sagenta line of actors