Stage names:

Nakamura Shirogorô VII
Nakamura Seigorô III
Nakamura Nakasaburô
Nakamura Takao

Real name: Ueda Takao

Guild: Nakamuraya

Line number: SHICHIDAIME (VII)

Existence: 6 February 1931 ~ 22 April 2007

Connections:

Masters: Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII, Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII

Career:

April 1948: he becomes disciple of Nakamura Moshio IV and makes his first stage appearance, at the Minamiza, where he receives the name of Nakamura Takao and plays a bonze role in the dance "Kisen".

January 1950: his master takes the prestigious name of Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII at the Tôkyô Gekijô; Nakamura Takao takes the name of Nakamura Nakasaburô, playing a soldier role in the drama "Kinkakuji".

July 1964: he becomes nadai and takes the name of Nakamura Seigorô III at the Kabukiza, playing the role of Outa in the drama "Komochi Yamanba".

April 1976: Nakamura Seigorô III takes the name of Nakamura Shirogorô VII at the Kabukiza, playing the roles of a kumosuke and a taiko mochi in the dramas "Suzu-ga-Mori" and "Iya Sakae Shibai no Nigiwai".

March 1977: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Shiranui Monogatari"; Shirogorô plays the role of the kagokaki Denroku [more details].

July 1981: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi"; Shirogorô plays the role of Yajirobê [casting].

April 2007: Shirogorô appears on stage for the last time, at the Kabukiza where he plays the roles of the shôya Taroemon and Iwagami Tenzô in the dramas "Sanemori Monogatari" and "Sakanaya Sôgorô"; he falls ill the 11th of April and has to be replaced. He dies in Tôkyô the 22nd of April 2007.

Comments:

Nakamura Shirogorô VII was a talented supporting tachiyaku actor and a tateshi. He often performed supporting roles in duo with Nakamura Genzaemon II. One of his best roles was Ôshima Sagaemon in the drama "Natsu Matsuri".

The mon of Nakamura Shirogorô VII (the ginkgo tree)

The Nakamura Seigorô line of actors and playwrights

The Nakamura Shirogorô line of actors