Line number: SHODAI (I)

Existence: ???

Connection:

Master: Tamagawa Sennojô I

Adoptive father: Takii Sanzaburô

Career:

1653: this native from Kyôto started his career in Edo as a disciple of Tamagawa Sennojô I, who gave him the name of Tamagawa Shuzen I.

1664: Ichimura Takenojô I became the zamoto of the Ichimuraza. As he was only 10 years old, Shuzen helped him to produce Kabuki performances.

1665: he was adopted by Murayama Matasaburô I's adopted son Takii Sanzaburô, who had no heir.

4th lunar month of 1667: Shuzen played in "Hakken Jaya", which was produced in Edo by Bandô Matakurô I.

9th lunar month of 1669: Shuzen played at the Ichimuraza in "Sayo no Nakayama"; his stage partner were Bandô Matakurô I, Suzuki Heiemon, Yoshimura Kichibê and Mannô Gorobê.

1670 ~ 1671: Shuzen worked as the zamoto of the Tamagawaza.

Beginning of the 1670s: Shuzen retired from the Kabuki world and took the tonsure. As a buddhist monk, he was called Kaken.

Comments:

Tamagawa Shuzen I was trained as an onnagata by the great star Tamagawa Sennojô I. He followed in the footsteps of his master and was said to be a great dancer, especially in the "Dance of the Fan".

Tamagawa Shuzen I as depicted in an illustration from the book "Yarô Daibutsushi" (1668)