Kataoka Ichizo


Kataoka Ichizō is a kabuki stage name which originated in the Osaka theatre, but whose actors are now based in Tokyo. The name has been passed down from the early 19th-century to the present day through six generations. The jōmon family crest used to represent the line is the ichō no maru inverted ginkgo leaf design.

Kataoka Ichizō I

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō I was born Fujikawa Shōzaburō in 1792, the son of a low-ranking kabuki actor who gave him his initial training. In 1810 he began an apprenticeship under respected actor Kataoka Nizaemon VII, and took the name Kataoka Ichizō I.
He began his career by performing in minor Osaka area hamashibai theatres and on stages erected within shrine grounds. In 1820, he became attached to Osaka's Ōnishi theatre. He also travelled throughout Japan, performing in Edo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Ise. He took actors Kataoka Ichizō II and Kataoka Ichōmaru under his wing as disciples.
His large build and loud voice were well suited to the katakiyaku and jitsuaku villain roles in which he specialized. He was so admired for these performances that he earned the nickname "Jitsuaku no oyadama": King of the Villains. He was, however, also credited with the ability to deliver subtle sewamono dramatic performances, particularly in fukeyaku elderly man roles.
Ichizō I held the name from 1810 to 1858 when he took the name Takekawa Ichizō. From 1860 to the spring of 1862, Ichizō took a break from performing due to eye problems and encroaching senility. In the 5th lunar month of 1862 he appeared on stage for the last time in the play "Ōmi Genji Senjin Yakata." He died in the 7th lunar month of 1862.

Names

Ichizō I was associated with a number of names throughout his life, as per kabuki convention:
  • Stage names: Takekawa Ichizō, Kataoka Ichizō I, Fujikawa Kanezō, Fujikawa Kanesaburō
  • Nickname: Kata Ichi Haimyō: Gajō, Gashō Yagō guild names: Takekawaya, Tenmaya, Matsushimaya

Artworks

Kataoka Ichizō I appears in prints by the following artists:

Kataoka Ichizō II

Biography

Very little is known of Ichizō II's personal details, including the dates of his birth and death. He began his career with the Kataoka family as a disciple of Ichizō I, but went on to study with the Nakamura clan under Nakamura Utaemon IV. His speciality was supporting katakiyaku villain roles. After spending some time in the late 1850s performing in Edo to great acclaim, he returned to Osaka where he rejoined the Kataoka family. He took the name Kataoka Ichizō II early in 1865, almost three years after the death of his predecessor. His name ceased appearing on kabuki playbills in the last years of the Edo period.

Names

Ichizō II was associated with the following names throughout his career:
  • Stage names: Kataoka Takizō, Nakamura Hangorō, Nakamura Kajaku, Kataoka Jūzō, Kataoka Ichizō Haimyō: Kajaku, RoenYagō: Yamagataya

Kataoka Ichizō III

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō III was born in 1851 in the Osaka-area town of Soemon. His father was artist Kameya Kichibe, and his two older brothers were kabuki actors Mimasu Inemaru and Kataoka Gadō II. His first professional appearance was on an Osaka stage in 1855. He was known for his wide-ranging skills, and particularly his portrayal of katakiyaku villains and fukeyaku elderly men. Following the sudden death of his brother, Inemaru, Ichizō III was forced to give up kabuki and begin an apprenticeship in the trades. He returned to the stage, however, becoming a disciple of Kataoka Nizaemon VIII in 1886. In 1887, he became Ichizō III, a title he held until his death in December, 1906.

Names

  • Personal name: Naojiro
  • Stage names: Mimasu Kamezō, Kataoka Chōjūro VI, Kataoka Gakuzaburo, Kataoka Ichizō III Haimyō: GashōYagō: Matsushimaya, Kataichi

Kataoka Ichizō IV

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō IV was born in the Shitaya district of Tokyo in 1880. Later he was adopted by Ichizō III, who trained him until his debut at Tokyo's Nakamura-za theatre in 1887. He continued to perform until 1904 when the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War resulted in his being sent to the front. In 1906, he was discharged from the military. The general euphoria over Japan's military victory carried over to the theatre, where houses were frequently packed. In 1909, almost 3 full years after the death of his adoptive father, he succeeded to the Ichizō line. He went on to hold this title until his death in 1926, meaning that his career spanned the Meiji and Taishō periods.
Ichizō IV was noted for his loud voice and large personality, which made him well-suited to strong leading roles. He was praised in particular for his onnagata female roles, as well as his shosagoto and buyō dance performances.

Names

  • Personal name: Kataoka Ryūnosuke
  • Stage names: Kataoka Kamezō III, Kataoka Jūzō IV, Kataoka Ichizō IV Haimyō: GashōYagō: Matsushimaya

Artwork

Kataoka Ichizō V

Biography

Born in Tokyo on February 10, 1916, Ichizō V was the eldest son of Ichizō IV. He first appeared on the kabuki stage in January 1922 at Tokyo's Shintomi-za theatre in the role of a child. He became head of the Kataoka Ichizō line in October 1934. After the war, he joined the troupe of Matsumoto Kōshirō VII. After Matsumoto's death, he became a disciple of Ichikawa Danjūrō XI. On June 30, 1991, aged 75, Ichizō fell from the platform at Tokyo's Yushima subway station and died.
Ichizō V was known for his performance of supporting roles. His two sons followed in his steps as kabuki actors, the eldest becoming Kataoka Ichizō VI, and the youngest becoming Kataoka Kamezō IV. His daughter married rakugo performer Shunpūtei Itchōno.

Names

  • Personal name: Kataoka Tarō
  • Stage names: Kataoka Ichizō V Haimyō: GashōYagō: Matsushimaya

Signature roles

  • Kitamura Daizen in Kumo ni Magō Ueno no Hatsuhana
  • Kajiwara Kagetaka in Ichi no Tani Futaba Gunki
  • Sagizaka Bannai in ''Kanadehon Chūshigura''

Kataoka Ichizō VI

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō VI, born in Tokyo on December 12, 1958, is the oldest son of Ichizō V. He has held the rank of principal actor since 1985, and held the Ichizō VI title since May, 2003. He is a member of the Organization for the Preservation of Kabuki. He has performed internationally, including appearing at the Paris Opera. He currently has as his disciple his younger brother, Kataoka Kamezō IV.

Names

  • Personal Name: Kataoka Kōichi
  • Stage names: Kataoka Kōichi, Kataoka Jūzō, Kataoka Ichizō VI Haimyō: GashōYagō: Matsushimaya

Signature roles

  • Kunizamurai Rikinta in Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura
  • Kōmori Yasu in ''Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi''

Awards

  • 1972: National Theatre Award Encouragement Prize
  • 1983: National Theatre Award Encouragement Prize
  • 1989: Kansai Kabuki Preservation Association Award Encouragement Prize
  • 1990: Mayama Seika Award for Best Supporting Actor
  • 1993: National Theatre Award Encouragement Prize
  • 1995: 1st Annual Japan Actors' Association Encouragement Prize
  • 1997: Kabuki-za Prize
  • 2009: National Theatre Award of Excellence
  • 2010: National Theatre Encouragement Prize

External sources

  • http://www.kataichi.com/ - Official website of Kataoka Ichizō
  • http://www.kabuki-bito.jp/eng/top.html - Official website of Shochiku Kabuki
  • ****