Stage names:

Ichikawa Shinzô V
Nakamura Shibanosuke II

Real name: Okamoto Rokutarô

Guild: Naritaya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Poetry name: Shinshô

Existence: 12th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1861 ~ 9 July 1897

Connections:

Masters: Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, Nakamura Shikan IV

Disciple: Ichikawa Kasen

Career:

1861 ~ 1874: born in Edo. His father Okumura Kanjirô was an official working for the Tayasu clan. His mother died a few days after his birth and he was quickly adopted by a man named Moriuchi Yatarô. Some years later, his adoptive father took the name of Moriuchi Tôbê when he became the main clerk of the actor Kawarasaki Gonnosuke VII. He started his career at an unknown date, as a disciple of Nakamura Shikan IV, who gave him the name of Nakamura Shibanosuke II.

1874: with the help of Moriuchi Tôbê, he became disciple of Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and received the name of Ichikawa Shinzô V.

May 1883: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa"; Shinzô played the role of Sankichi [casting].

November 1883: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Zôho Tenjiku Tokubê", a revision of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's "Tenjiku Tokubê Ikoku Banashi"; Shinzô played the role of the yakko Isohei [casting].

1885: Moriuchi Tôbê died; Shinzô was adopted by the owner of a steamboat inn named Okamoto Mitsu and based in Yokohama.

February 1885: Shinzô took part in the opening ceremony of the Chitoseza [more details].

1889: Shinzô became nadai at the Kabukiza. A few months later, he unfortunately fell ill and lost one eye.

March 1891: premiere at the Kabukiza of Fukuchi Ôchi's drama "Buyû no Homare Shusse Kagekiyo", a revised revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's jidaimono "Shusse Kagekiyo"; Shinzô played the role of Mionoya Shirô [casting].

May 1893: Shinzô achieved a great success at the Kabukiza by playing the roles of Ninomiya Tarô, Soga Danzaburô and Kamei Rokurô in the drama "Jûnitoki Kaikei Soga".

November 1893: Shinzô took part in the opening ceremony of the Meijiza [more details].

May 1896: Shinzô appeared on stage for the last time, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza, performing in the drama "Fûkigusa Heike Monogatari". He suddenly fell ill after 2 days on stage but he could not recover.

9 July 1897: Shinzô died.

Comments:

Ichikawa Shinzô V was a talented disciple of the star Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, who took an active part in the katsureki experience led by his master. He was good at dance, traditional music, painting and literature (he wrote a novel). He suffered many physical hardships in his life but always did his best to be on stage. It was said that Ichikawa Danjûrô IX saw him as a potential heir but he died too young.

Ichikawa Shinzô V playing the role of Kimura Shigenari in the drama "Ôsakajin Shôke no Kakizome", which was staged in November 1895 at the Kabukiza (print made by Toyohara Kunichika)

The Ichikawa Shinzô line of actors