Stage names:

Bandô Tarô
Ichikawa Kobunji I
Nakamura Tsurusuke IV
Nakamura Umezô
Arashi Mitsuzô

Guilds: Kinojiya ^[1], Takashimaya ^[2], Narikomaya ^[3]

Poetry names: Zankyô ^[4], Soryû ^[1], Kanbô ^[3]

Existence: 1833 ~ 26 April 1894

Connection:

Masters: Morita Kan'ya XII, Ichikawa Kodanji IV, Nakamura Shikan III, Arashi Mitsugorô II

Career:

1833 ~ 1861: born in 1833. He started his career in Nagoya in the middle of the Tenpô era as a disciple of Arashi Mitsugorô II, who gave him the name of Arashi Mitsuzô. He spent his prime peforming in miyaji shibai in Kamigata. He became a disciple of Nakamura Shikan III at the beginning of the Ansei era and changed his name to Nakamura Umezô.

1st lunar month of 1862: he settled in Edo and took the name of Nakamura Tsurusuke IV at the Moritaza, where he performed in the drama "Kurikaeshi Mimasu no Tamamono".

5th lunar month of 1862: premiere at the Moritaza of the drama "Shinpan Ukina no Yomiuri"; Tsurusuke played the role of Aburaya Tasaburô [more details].

8th lunar month of 1862: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kanzen Chôaku Nozoki Garakuri"; Tsurusuke played the role of the farmer Jûbê [casting].

2nd lunar month of 1864: he became a disciple of Ichikawa Kodanji IV and received the name of Ichikawa Kobunji I, performing at the Moritaza in the drama "Kinoene Soga Daikoku Bashira".

8th lunar month of 1866: he finally joined the Morita clan, becoming a disciple of Morita Kan'ya XII and receiving the name of Bandô Tarô.

May 1874: Tarô appeared on an ôshibai stage for the last time, in Tôkyô at the Sawamuraza, where he played the role of Sôgo in the drama "Iro Moyô Sakura no Shiranui". He spent his latter years in koshibai or tabi shibai.

26th of April 1894: Tarô died.

Comments:

Bandô Tarô was was able to perform a wide range of roles from onnagata to katakiyaku. He excelled in villain roles like Murai Chôan (in the eponymous drama) or Ishikawa Goemon.

[1] Used when he was Bandô Tarô.

[2] Used when he was Ichikawa Kobunji I

[3] Used when he was Nakamura Tsurusuke IV.

[4] Used when he was Bandô Tarô. Others possible readings: Zankô, Sankyô or Sankô.

Bandô Tarô playing the role of Shimobe Shikazô in a print made by Toyohara Kunichika

Prints & Illustrations

The Nakamura Tsurusuke line of actors