Stage names:

Ichikawa Danzô IX
Ichikawa Ginnosuke I

Dance name: Kashiwagi Emon IV

Real name: Ichikawa Kazuo

Guild: Mikawaya

Line number: KUDAIME (IX)

Birthday: 29 May 1951

Connections:

Great-grandfather: Ichikawa Danzô VII

Grandfather: Ichikawa Danzô VIII

Father: Kashiwagi Emon III (dance master)

Adopted father: Ichikawa Danzô VIII

Master: Onoe Shôroku II

Sons: Ichikawa Ginnosuke II, Ichikawa Momotarô V

Career:

May 1956: he makes his first appearance on stage, at the Kabukiza, where he receives the name of Ginnosuke I and plays the role of Rokudaigimi in the classic "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".

April 1981: Ginnosuke becomes nadai.

June 1981: Ginnosuke plays at the National Theater the role of Issun Tokubei in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami". His stage partners are Onoe Tatsunosuke I (Danshichi Kurobei), Sawamura Sôjûrô IX (Otatsu) and Kawarazaki Gonjûrô III (Tsuribune Sabu).

January 1984: historic revival at the National Theater of the play "Sankai Nagoya"; Ginnosuke plays the role of Akechimaru [casting].

Summer 1985: tour in the USA; Ginnosuke plays the role of Sakata Kintoki in the dance-drama "Tsuchi Gumo", which celebrates the shûmei in the USA of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII [more details].

May 1987: Ichikawa Ginnosuke l takes the name of Ichikawa Danzô IX at the Kabukiza, playing the roles of Akechi Mitsuhide and Senoo Tarô in the plays "Toki ha Ima Kikyô no Hataage" and "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki".

October 1988: Kabuki tour in Egypt; Danzô plays the roles of Senoo Tarô and Matsubei in the drama "Shunkan" and the dance "Bô Shibari".

1995: Danzô plays the roles of the actor Ichikawa Omezô I in the movie "Sharaku". This film is about the life of the famous print-maker Tôshûzai Sharaku, who produced all his works between 1794 and February 1795 and disappeared mysteriously, leaving behind him some of the most famous actor prints.

March 1999: Danzô plays at the National Theater the role of the evil Iwafuji in the jidaimono "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie". His stage partners are Nakamura Matsue (Onoe) and Nakamura Tokizô (Ohatsu).

June 2001: Danzô plays at the National Theater the role of the sumô wrestler Nuregami Chôgorô in the drama "Hikimado".

January 2002: revival at the National Theater of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Koharunagi Okitsu Shiranami", which has not been played in his full length since November 1864; Danzô plays the role of the plotter Mikami Ichigaku [casting].

Comments:

Ichikawa Danzô IX is an outstanding supporting actor particularly appreciated in aragoto roles. He really deserves to play more leading roles. I am sure he would be a great Narukami or Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa!

Ichikawa Danzô IX's best role: Benkei ("Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura").

The Ichikawa Danzô line of actors