Stage names:
Arashi Kiyosaburô I
Hanai Kiyosaburô
Line number: SHODAI (I)
Existence: ??? ~ 15 May 1713
Connection:
Master: Arashi San'emon II
Brother: Sawano Hachigorô
Nephew: Arashi Kiyosaburô II
Career:
Before 1697: he starts his career in hama shibai, performing under the name of Hanai Kiyosaburô.
1697: he becomes disciple of Arashi San'emon II and takes the name of Arashi Kiyosaburô I.
January 1702: premiere at Miyako Mandayû's theater (Kyôto) of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu", which is produced by Kokon Shinzaemon. The two leading actors are Sakata Tôjûrô I and Kiyosaburô.
Fall 1707: Kiyosaburô goes to Edo.
November 1707: Kiyosaburô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Suô-no-Naishi in the kaomise drama "Suô no Naishi Azuma Nishiki".
January 1708: Kiyosaburô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Jûrô's lover, the courtesan Ôiso no Tora, in the new year drama "Keisei Arashi Soga"; the role of Soga Jûrô Sukenari is played by Nakamura Shichisaburô I (last stage performance for this actor who dies the 3 February 1708). He also achieves a great success by playing the role of Yaoya Oshichi.
November 1708: Kiyosaburô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Aoi-no-Ue in the kaomise drama "Miyasundokoro Monomiguruma".
March 1709: Kiyosaburô achieves a great success at the Nakamuraza by playing the role of Yaoya Oshichi.
Fall 1709: Kiyosaburô goes back to Kyôto.
November 1709: Kiyosaburô plays in the kaomise drama "Kokonotsu Kogura Hitotsubu Manbai", which is produced by Miyako Mandayû for the nadai Hayagumo Chôdayû.
Fall 1710: Kiyosaburô goes to Edo.
November 1710: Kiyosaburô plays in at the Yamamuraza in the kaomise drama "Jinriki Teika Azuma Asobi"; his main stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô II, Ôtani Hiroji I, Ikushima Shingorô, Ôtani Hiroemon I, Asao Jûjirô, Kokan Tarôji I and Sakurayama Shirosaburô I.
November 1711: Kiyosaburô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the role of Hanadori-no-Mae in the kaomise drama "Mitsu Uroko Katoku Biraki".
January 1712: Kiyosaburô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô's lover, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô, in the new year drama "Kotobuki Maizuru Soga"; the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune is played by Matsumoto Koshirô.
January 1713: Kiyosaburô appears on stage for the last time, in Edo at the Nakamuraza, performing in the new year drama "Ôkazari Kanô Soga". Kiyosaburô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
15 May 1713: Kiyosaburô dies in Edo.
Comments:
Arashi Kiyosaburô I was a talented onnagata actor, who made a short but successful career from the end of the Genroku era to the beginning of the Shôtoku era. He was able to perform any kind of role and excelled in nuregoto and in keisei roles. He was so successful in the role of Yaoya Oshichi, the archetype of a strong-willed Edo woman, that his crest, the fujibumi crest (an envelope within a circle), was used by subsequent actors playing this role and became identified as the crest of Yaoya Oshichi.
Arashi Kiyosaburô I (left) and Nakamura Denkurô I (right) playing the roles of Hanadori-no-Mae and Nikaidô Tôtazaemon in the drama "Mitsu Uroko Katoku Biraki", which was staged in November 1711 at the Nakamuraza