Stage names:

Ichikawa Ebizô II
Ichikawa Danjûrô II
Ichikawa Kuzô I

Guild: Naritaya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Poetry names: Sanshô, Saigyû, Hakuen

Existence: 11 October 1688 ~ 24 September 1758

Connections:

Father: Ichikawa Danjûrô I

Adopted son: Ichikawa Danjûrô III

Illegitimate son: Ichikawa Ebizô III (Danjûrô IV)

Grandson: Ichikawa Hakuen I (Danjûrô V)

Great-grandson: Ichikawa Momotarô

Great-great-grandson: Ichikawa Ebizô V (Danjûrô VII)

Great-great-great-grandson: Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII, Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, Ichikawa Ebizô VII, Ichikawa Ebizô VIII, Ichikawa Komazô VI, Ichikawa Enzô I, Ichikawa Kôzô

Disciples: Ichikawa Monnosuke I, Ichikawa Yaozô I, Ichikawa Raizô I, Ichikawa Kuzô 1.2, Ichikawa Ryûzô, Ichikawa Kaoru II, Ichikawa Sadanji I, Ichikawa Dangorô I, Ichikawa Dangorô III, Ichikawa Wajûrô, Ichikawa Kinzaburô, Ichikawa Dantarô, Ichikawa Montarô, Ichikawa Kanjûrô, Ichikawa Danshirô II, Ichikawa Gentarô, Ichikawa Gennosuke, Ichikawa Shinzô I

Career:

October 1688: born in Edo. It is said that his father Ichikawa Danjûrô I prayed at the Narita Fudôson temple in order to have a son and the deity Fudô Myôô granted his wish.

May 1697: he makes his first appearance on stage and receives the name of Ichikawa Kuzô I, at the Nakamuraza, in the drama "Tsuwamono no Kongen Soga". The play was written by his father and the young Kuzô plays the roles of a yamabushi priest and the deity Fudô (kabuki jûhachiban).

November 1700: Ichikawa Danjûrô I and Kuzô move to the Nakamuraza, where they play the roles of Kimpira and Kaidômaru in the kaomise drama "Kimpira Rokujô Gayoi". He delivers his first lines during this performance.

November 1701: Kuzô plays in the same theater the role of Tamba Suketarô in the kaomise drama "Keisei Ikazuchi Mondô".

July 1702: Kuzô and his father Ichikawa Danjûrô I achieve a great success by playing in the same theater the roles of the 2 Benkei ("Ninin Benkei") in the drama "Shimpan Takadachi Benkeijô".

October 1702: Kuzô plays in the same theater the role of Shintoku in the drama "Yûgao no Kannon Hôben".

November 1702: Ichikawa Danjûrô I and Kuzô move to the Moritaza and perform together in the kaomise drama "Tenchijin Tsutsumamori". Kuzô plays for the first time the superhero role (Izumi Kojirô in this performance) in a "Shibaraku" scene.

April 1703: Kuzô plays in the same theater the roles of Kûkai and the deity Fudô in the drama "Naritasan Bunshin Fudô".

July 1703: Kuzô plays in the same theater the role of Ike no Shôji in the drama "Oguri Jûnidan".

November 1703: Kuzô and his father move to the Ichimuraza. He plays the role of Araômaru in the kaomise drama "Genji Rokujûjô".

19 February 1704: his father Ichikawa Danjûrô I is killed in the backstage of the Ichimuraza by his rival (in love ?) Ikushima Hanroku.

July 1704: Ichikawa Kuzô I, who is only in his sixteenth year, takes the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô II at the Yamamuraza, playing the aragoto role of Ôe Yatômaru in the drama "Heianjô Miyako Sadame". The costum is identical to the one used by his late father when he performed the bombastic role of Kompira and there is a big tachimawari scene to please the audience.

1704 ~ 1709: Danjûrô's career stagnates because of the influence on theater management of some enemies of his late father. Getting mainly minor roles, he uses his free time to study with enthusiasm, following some strong principles: always put literature at the top of the list, respect others people, live discreetly, no selfishness, no laziness. He also makes regular pilgrimages to the Narita Fudôson temple, praying the deity Fudô Myôô to go beyond his father's artistic accomplishments.

November 1706: Danjûrô plays the role of Kimpira at the Yamamuraza in the kaomise drama "Kaeribana Buyû Kagami", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Takeshima Kôzaemon I.

November 1706: premiere in the same theater of the drama "Taihei Shusse Kagekiyo", which is considered as an earlier version of the kabuki jûhachiban drama "Kagekiyo"; Danjûrô plays the role of Sasaki no Shirô [casting].

March 1707: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô (superior).

November 1708: Danjûrô plays at the Yamamuraza the role of Hayato in the kaomise drama "Yorimasa Shiki Samba".

March 1709: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô (superior - superior).

July 1709: Danjûrô achieves a triumphant success at the Yamamuraza, playing the role of the moxa peddler Kumehachirô, in the "Mogusa Uri" scene of the drama "Keisei Hibari Yama", whose main character is the famous Princess Chûjô. This role, with fast-spoken lines, will become in 1718 the core of the "Uirô Uri" scene. His stage partners are Yamanaka Heikurô I, Ikushima Shingorô, Ogawa Zengorô I and Nakamura Gentarô, who plays the role of Princess Chûjô.

November 1709: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the aragoto role of Arajishi Otokonosuke in the kaomise drama "Taihei Okuni Kabuki", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actors Asao Jûjirô, Arashi Sanjûrô I and Fujikawa Buzaemon I.

January 1710: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Sanada Yoichi in the new year program "Keisei Izu Nikki".

September 1710: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Tôgorô in the drama "Ômi Genji". His stage partner in the role of Sasaki no Saburô is Murayama Heiemon III.

November 1710: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ôe Saemon, challenging on stage the villain Ôtani Hiroemon I in the role of Danjô Saemon, in the kaomise drama "Jinriki Teika Azuma Asobi", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Arashi Kiyosaburô I.

January 1711: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year sogamono "Yunzei Yomeiri Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover), the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) and Kobayashi no Asaina are Ikushima Shingorô, Ôtani Hiroemon I, Sakata Oginojô, Nakamura Gentarô and Ôtani Hiroji I.

November 1711: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ukishima Danjô in the kaomise drama "Shida Konjiki no Uroko".

January 1712: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the role of Hayata in the new year program "Fukuwara Yunzei Yorimasa".

January 1713: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ishiyama Genta in the kaomise drama "Ishiyama Genta Kimon Yaburi" ("Ishiyama Genta tearing down the demons gate").

March 1713: premiere at the Yamamuraza of the play "Hana Yakata Aigo Zakura", which is the first "Sukeroku" drama (kabuki jûhachiban) in Kabuki history. Danjûrô plays the leading role of Sukeroku [casting].

July 1713: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Zenkô in the drama "Zenkô Naniwa Ike". His stage partner in the role of the villain Tôhei is Yamanaka Heikurô I.

November 1713: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kazusanosuke in the kaomise drama "Sasare Ishi Nasu no Futabashira".

February 1714: Ejima, a court lady who serves the shogun, is in love with the star Ikushima Shingorô. Their affair is discovered in the backstage of the Yamamuraza. This incident, which Breaks the boundaries between samurai and commoner, is a serious crime for the shogunal authorities which decides to deal ruthlessly with the culprits: Ejima and Ikushima Shingorô are exiled to different places, those in the shogun's household who are held responsible are executed, the Yamamuraza is definitively closed and its management is heavily fined. It goes without saying that Danjûrô has to move to another theater.

May 1714: Danjûrô moves to the Moritaza and plays the role of Daitôji Tabatanosuke in the drama "Aigo no Waka".

July 1714: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kanemichi in the drama "Kinkazan Ôtomo no Matori".

November 1714: Danjûrô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the role of Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise drama "Banmin Daifukuchô". The villain of the play is the Kurozuka ogress, performed by Yamanaka Heikurô I.

January 1715: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year drama "Bandô Ichi Kotobuki Soga". The roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) and Kobayashi no Asaina are played by Katsuyama Matagorô, Ogawa Zengorô I, Nakamura Takesaburô I and Tomizawa Hanzaburô I.

May 1715: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Jônin". The role of Princess Taema is played by Nakamura Takesaburô I.

July 1715: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Fuwa Banzaemon in the drama "Mimasu Nagoya". The performance is a successful long run (from the 15th of June to the 8th of September).

September 1715: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Yume no Yoshisada and Shinozuka Gorô in the drama "Wagô Taiheiki".

November 1715: Danjûrô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Endô Musha in the kaomise drama "Kogane no Kaburi Konrei Yorimasa".

11 January 1716: a fire breaks out in the district of Shitaya Ike-no-Hata and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. Danjûrô has to take some unintended vacation during the rebuilding of the theater.

February 1716: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in Fujimoto Tobun's new year drama "Shikirei Yawaragi Soga". The roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) and Kobayashi no Asaina are played by Hayakawa Dengorô, Nakamura Takesaburô I and Ôtani Hiroji I. The play includes a "Sukeroku" section in which the roles of Sukeroku, Agemaki and Ikyû are played by Danjûrô, Nakamura Takesaburô I and Ôtani Hiroemon I.

July 1716: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the drama "Zenji Soga".

November 1716: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Imai Shirô Kanehira in the kaomise drama "Mitsudomoe Katoku Biraki".

January 1717: a fire breaks out the 22nd in the district of Koishikawa and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. Danjûrô has to take some unintended vacation during the rebuilding of the theater.

February 1717: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune, in reality the otokodate Karigane Bunshichi, in the new year drama "Kaidô Ichi Muneage Soga". The roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Soga Jûrô Sukenari, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) and Kobayashi no Asaina are played by Ichikawa Sukejûrô, Tomizawa Hanzaburô I, Nakamura Gentarô and Ôtani Hiroemon I.

May 1717: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Watônai in Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's drama "Kokusen'ya Takarabune" [casting].

July 1717: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Daikyôji no Mohei and Zenjibô in the drama "Hoshiai Narukami Soga".

September 1717: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Oguri Kanzô in the drama "Chôyô Oguri no Sekku".

November 1717: Danjûrô moves to the Moritaza and plays the role of Shinozuka Gorô in the kaomise program "Hônô Taiheiki". His stage partners are Hayakawa Dengorô, Ôtani Hiroemon I, Ogawa Zengorô I, Asao Jûjirô and Ichikawa Monnosuke I.

January 1718: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Jûrô Sukenari in the new year drama "Wakamidori Ikioi Soga". The role of Soga Gorô Tokimune is played by Sodeoka Shôtarô. Danjûrô plays also the leading role of the "Uirô Uri" scene (kabuki jûhachiban), which is performed in the second part (nibanme) of this program. The performance is a successful long run (from January to July 1718).

September 1718: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Seijûrô in the drama "Shikirei Imagawajô". The role of Onatsu is played by Ichikawa Monnosuke I.

November 1718: Danjûrô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the role of Kawazu Saburô in the kaomise drama "Hirakana Yomeiri Izu Nikki", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata onnagata Sanogawa Mangiku.

January 1719: Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's play "Sonezaki Shinjû" is performed for the first time at the Nakamuraza, starring Danjûrô and Sanogawa Mangiku in the roles of Hiranoya Tokubei and the courtesan Ohatsu (Tokubei's lover). Danjûrô plays also the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the sogamono "Kaibyaku Sakayaki Soga", commonly called "Ninin Kudô" ("The two Kudô"), sharing the stage with the 2 jitsuaku Hayakawa Dengorô and Yamanaka Heikurô I in the Kudô roles.

September 1719: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Chûshichi in the drama "Osome Hisamatsu Shinjû" ("The double suicide of Osome and Hisamatsu"). The roles of Osome and Hisamatsu are played by Nakamura Kiyosaburô I and Sanogawa Mangiku. The performance is a great success.

November 1719: Danjûrô moves to the Moritaza and plays the role of Murakami Hikoshirô in the kaomise drama "Banmin Taiheiki".

January 1720: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the bombastic "Ya-no-Ne" scene, included in the new year drama "Yuzuriha Kongen Soga", which commemorates the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the death of Ichikawa Danjûrô I. Danjûrô's incredible performance is a huge success. His stage partner in the role of Soga Jûrô Sukenari is Sawamura Sôjûrô I. He also performs in duo with Sanjô Kantarô II in the shinjûmono "Shinjû Kasane Izutsu", which commemorates the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the suicide of the couple Tokubei (played by Danjûrô) and Ofusa (played by Kantarô) [more details].

February 1720: Danjûrô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent).

November 1720: Danjûrô plays at the Moritaza the roles of Watanabe no Taketsuna (created by Nakamura Shichisaburô I) and Sakata Kintoki (created by Ichikawa Danjûrô I) in the kaomise drama "Kaigô Sakiwake Shitennô". Danjûrô's performance is well received by the audience and the critics praise him for mastering to perfection two different acting styles.

January 1721: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year sogamono "Nigiwai Suehiro Soga". His stage partners in the role of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) and Kobayashi no Asaina are Mimasuya Sukejûrô I, Ogawa Zengorô I, Sodesaki Miwano I and Narumi Goroshirô I. The performance is a tremendous success.

May 1721: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kamiya Jihei in Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima". The role of Koharu is played by Sodesaki Miwano I.

November 1721: Danjûrô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the role of Kantô Koroku (the superhero in the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise drama "Torisaka no Jô Tsuru no Sugomori".

January 1722: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Yodoya Tatsugorô in the new year sogamono "Ôkamado Akinai Soga". He achieves a great success in duo with Sakata Hangorô I, who plays the role of Kobayashi no Asaina wearing a maegami wig, in a kusazuribiki scene.

August 1722: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kijûrô in the drama "Hana Môsen Futatsu Haraobi". His stage partners in the roles of Ochiyo and her lover Hanbei are Arashi Wakano&nsbp;I and Nakamura Shichisaburô&nsbp;II. Danjûrô's performance, which reminds the connoisseurs of his father's ones, is well received.

November 1722: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Nitta Yoshisada in the kaomise drama "Hônen Taiheiki".

January 1723: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year sogamono "Soga Koyomi Biraki". The roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Kudô Saemon Suketsune are played by Mimasuya Sukejûrô I and Ogawa Zengorô I. Danjûrô and Ôtani Hiroji I perform together in a spectacular aragoto roof-demolishing scene (yane kuzusu) at the end of the program.

May 1723: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Minamoto Yoshitsune in the drama "Yoshitsune Kunkôki".

November 1723: Danjûrô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo [print] in the kaomise program "Sono Enpô Onna Migyôsho", which celebrates the arrival at the Nakamuraza of the Kamigata actors Yamashita Kinsaku I and Sanogawa Senzô.

January 1724: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Yamagami Gennai, in reality Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo, in the new year program "Matsu Kazari Kamakura Biraki".

February 1724: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Hanaoka Gontarô in the drama "Keisei Asama-ga-Dake", which commemorates the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the death of Nakamura Shichisaburô I.

March 1724: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Hidari Jingorô in the drama "Irifune Sumidagawa".

July 1724: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the drama "Minori Kuru Hoshiai Soga". The roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Kobayashi no Asaina are played by Mimasuya Sukejûrô I, Ogawa Zengorô I and Narumi Goroshirô I.

November 1724: Danjûrô plays the role of a Komusô priest in the kaomise program "Taiheiki Okuni Kabuki", which is produced at the Nakamuraza. His stage partners are Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Yamashita Kinsaku I, Matsumoto Kôshirô I and Ichikawa Monnosuke I.

January 1725: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Sanada Yoichi and Doi Yatarô in the new year program "Funadama Izu Nikki". His hayagawari performance is very well received by the audience.

May 1725: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Tadanobu in the play "Goban Tadanobu".

November 1725: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ike no Shôji in the kaomise program "Oguri Chôseiden", whose plot and characters belong to the "Oguri Hangan" world.

January 1726: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of the wicked priest Narukami and Shuten Dôji in the new year program "Kadomatsu Shitennô", which commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the death of Ichikawa Danjûrô I. His stage partner in the role of Princess Taema is Yamamoto Hanazato. Danjûrô performs also the "Uirô Uri" scene. This new year program is a triumphant success.

Summer 1726: Danjûrô performs in the same theater in the play "Suehiro Nagoya". He portrays Fuwa Banzaemon, confronting Sawamura Sôjûrô I in the role of Nagoya Sanza in a great "Sayaate" scene.

November 1726: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the bombastic role of Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa in the kaomise program "Kaomise Jûnidan", which includes the great "Shibaraku" scene.

January 1727: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô in the new year sogamono "Yuzuriha Gongen Soga" [print]. His stage partner in the role of Soga Jûrô is Sawamura Sôjûrô I.

March 1727: Danjûrô achieves a great success in the same theater by playing the role of Takenuki Gorô in the bombastic "Oshimodoshi" scene (kabuki jûhachiban) of the play "Kokusen'ya". Danjûrô and Sawamura Sôjûrô I play also the roles of Utsumi Shintarô and Seigen in the drama "Konrei Otowa no Taki", which includes a koroshiba well received by the audience.

April 1727: Danjûrô and Sawamura Sôjûrô I play in the same theater the roles of the rival warlords Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin in the drama "Kôyô Gun'u no Hanagasane".

November 1727: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Ôtô no Miya in the kaomise drama "Yatsumune Taiheiki" [casting]. For the first time in Kabuki history, a trap door is used on a Kabuki stage for actors stage entrances (seri dashi). This program celebrates the return of Ôtani Hiroji I in Edo after 5 years spent in Kyôto. This is also the first stage appearance for Ichikawa Masugorô, the adopted son of Danjûrô.

January 1728: Danjûrô and Sawamura Sôjûrô I play in the same theater the roles of Soga Gorô and Soga Jûrô in the new year sogamono "Soga Hôraisan". Their stage partners in the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Kobayashi no Asaina, Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) and Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) are Ogawa Zengorô I, Ôtani Hiroji I, Kirinami Onoe and Sanjô Kantarô II.

November 1728: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the warrior Tadanobu in the kaomise program "Hoshi Kabuto Goban Tadanobu". His stage partners in the roles of Minamoto Yoshitsune, Kajiwara Genta, Tadanobu's wife Kowata, Shizuka Gozen and Kyô no Kimi are Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Ôtani Hiroji I, Tsugawa Kamon, Sanjô Kantarô II and Sodesaki Iseno I.

January 1729: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the short and bombastic "Ya-no-Ne" scene (kabuki jûhachiban), which is performed within the new year program "Suehiro Ehô Soga". Danjûrô and Sawamura Sôjûrô I play the leading roles of the brothers Soga Gorô and Soga Jûrô. The performance is a huge success and is extended up to May.

November 1729: great kaomise at the Nakamuraza. The 4 tachiyaku Bandô Hikosaburô I, Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Ôtani Hiroji I and Danjûrô perform together in the play "Ume Goyomi Konrei Nagoya". Danjûrô portrays Nagoya Sanza, confronting Ôtani Hiroji I in the role of Fuwa Banzaemon.

January 1730: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Komusô no Gorô (Soga Gorô disguised as Komusô) in the new year drama "Kura Kiraki Takara Soga". The performance is a commercial failure.

April 1730: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Watônai in the drama "Karanishiki Kokusen'ya Gassen".

Fall 1730: The actors Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Ôtani Hiroji I, Ogino Izaburô I, Bandô Hikosaburô I and Danjûrô perform together in the play "Meigetsu Gonin Otoko" ("Five men under the August moon"), which is staged in the same theater [casting].

November 1730: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kawazu Saburô in the kaomise drama "Irifune Hiru-ga-Kojima".

January 1731: Danjûrô plays the role of Fuwa Banzaemon in the drama "Keisei Fukubiki Nagoya" ("The courtesan, the tombola drawing and Nagoya Sanza"), which is performed in the same theater [casting].

Spring 1731: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Gotô Saemon in the drama "Muko Denju Nishiki no Tazuna", whose plot and characters belong to the "Oguri Hangan" world. His stage partners are Nakamura Shichisaburô II (Oguri Hangan), Ogino Izaburô I (Princess Terute), Segawa Kikunojô I (Tsumagi) and Sawamura Sôjûrô I (Onitsugu).

November 1731: Danjûrô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Kusunoki Masayuki in the kaomise drama "Wagô Ichiji Taiheiki", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata star Sadoshima Chôgorô I.

January 1732: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Oniô Shinzaemon in the new year sogamono "Hatsugoyomi Ainai Soga".

June 1732: bills start to announce in town the move of Danjûrô from the Nakamuraza to the Ichimuraza.

September 1732: final performance at the Nakamuraza for Danjûrô, who plays the great role of the warrior Kagekiyo in the drama "Ôichô Sakae Kagekiyo", commonly called "Kagekiyo" (kabuki jûhachiban) [casting].

November 1732: Danjûrô moves to the Ichimuraza, playing the role of Sanada Yoichi in the kaomise drama "Tsuwamono Kongen Hiru-ga-Kojima". His stage partners are Ôtani Hiroji I, Segawa Kikujirô I and Bandô Hikosaburô I.

January 1733: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the roles of Soga Gorô and Soga Jûrô in the new year sogamono "Hanabusa Funjin Soga". His stage partner in the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the ennemy of the Soga brothers, is Bandô Hikosaburô I. Danjûrô plays also the role of the sake seller Shimbei in "Sukeroku", which is staged as nibanme in this program. His stage partners in the roles of Sukeroku and Agemaki are Ichimura Takenojô IV and Segawa Kikujirô I.

March 1733: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Ôsakayama Narukami Fudô".

November 1733: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Kusunoki Masashige in the kaomise drama "Shôhon Taiheiki".

January 1734: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô in the new year sogamono "Nanakusa Nigiwai Soga". His partner in the role of Soga Jûrô is the Kamigata star Arashi San'emon III.

March 1734: Danjûrô, Ôtani Hiroji I, Bandô Hikosaburô I, Ichimura Takenojô IV and Sakata Hangorô I perform in the same theater in the otokodate drama "Gonin Otoko" but the performance is not a success.

May 1734: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Inoshishi no Hayata in the drama "Yatsumune Ayame Genji". His stage partners in the roles of Minamoto no Yorimasa and Taira no Kiyomori are Ichimura Takenojô IV and Ôtani Hiroji I.

Fall 1734: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Fuwa Banzaemon in the drama "Kongen Imagawajô".

November 1734: Danjûrô plays the role of Heidayû Kunitae in the Ichimuraza kaomise drama "Michi-no-Ku Yunzei Genji".

January 1735: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Oniô Shinzaemon in the new year drama "Furiwakegami Hatsugai Soga".

April 1735: Danjûrô falls ill.

November 1735: great shûmei at the Ichimuraza. Danjûrô gives his name to his adopted son and takes the name of Ichikawa Ebizô II, playing the role of Hata no Daizen in the kaomise drama "Kongen Nana Komachi". The actors Ichikawa Masugorô and Matsumoto Shichizô I respectively take the names of Ichikawa Danjûrô III and Matsumoto Kôshirô II.

April 1736: special program at the Ichimuraza commemorating the 32nd and 6th anniversaries of the death of Ichikawa Danjûrô I and Matsumoto Kôshirô I. Danjûrô plays the role of Shinozuka Gorô in the drama "Hobashira Taiheiki".

Summer 1736: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Gotô Saemon in the drama "Tôkaidô Yukumi Guruma", whose plot and characters belong to the "Oguri Hangan" world. His stage partners are Ôtani Hiroji I (the thief Mokuzu no Sampei), Segawa Kikunojô I (Sampei's wife), Segawa Kikujirô I (the courtesan Onikage), Ichimura Takenojô IV (Oguri Hangan) and Ichikawa Danjûrô III (Ike no Shôji).

September 1736: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Meguro no Fudô ("black eyes Fudô") in the drama "Yonin Fudô" ("The Four Deities Fudô"). His stage partners in the roles of Mejiro no Fudô ("white eyes Fudô"), Meaka no Fudô ("red eyes Fudô") and Meao no Fudô ("blue eyes Fudô") are Ichikawa Danjûrô III, Ôtani Hiroji I and Ichimura Takenojô IV.

November 1736: Ebizô moves to the Kawarazakiza, playing the role of Shinozuka Iga no Kami in the kaomise drama "Jumpû Taiheiki", which includes a "Shibaraku" look-alike scene. His stage partners are Ichikawa Danzô I, Matsumoto Kôshirô II and Nakamura Shichisaburô II.

January 1737: Danjûrô plays in the same theater the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year sogamono "Gozen Sumô Osana Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari and Kudô Saemon Suketsune are Nakamura Shichisaburô II and Ichikawa Danzô I.

July 1737: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Ôsaka no Gotô Saemon in the drama "Keisei Terute Takara Kuruma", whose plot and characters belong to the "Oguri Hangan" world. His stage partners are Ichikawa Danzô I (Fukagusa no Gotô Saemon), Sodesaki Kikutarô (Princess Terute), Nakamura Shichisaburô II (Oguri Hangan) and Ichikawa Danjûrô III (Ike no Shôji).

November 1737: the play "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Kawarazakiza, as a kaomise drama titled "Uruoizuki Ninin Kagekiyo"; Ebizô plays the role of Shigetada [casting]. The final act of this play is a confrontation scene between Ebizô and Ichikawa Danzô I in the roles of the statue of Kan'u and the statue of Chôhi (Kan'u and Chôhi are two legendary Chinese generals), which is commonly called "Kan'u" (kabuki jûhachiban).

January 1738: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Shigetada in the new year program "Hatsu Midori Hônen no Shirabe". His stage partners in the roles of Akoya and Kagekiyo are Sodesaki Kikutarô and Ichikawa Danzô I.

November 1738: Ebizô and Ichikawa Danjûrô III move to the Ichimuraza and perform in the kaomise program "Mitsugibune Taiheiki".

January 1739: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year program "Hatsu Motoyui Kayoi Soga".

March 1739: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Jômon no Hanabusa". The roles of Agemaki (Sukeroku's lover) and Ikyû (Sukeroku's enemy) are played by Tomizawa Montarô I and Ichikawa Sôzaburô I.

July 1739: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in the drama "Kasane Gedatsu no Hachisuba".

November 1739: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of the Buddhist priest Kenkô in the kaomise drama "Tokiwagi Taiheiki".

January 1740: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of the professional storyteller Bairyûken in the new year program "Hônen Eitai Gura" but the performance is a failure.

February 1740: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the play "Sugatami Sumidagawa", in which Ebizô plays the role of Awazu Rokurô Saemon. The second part of this play contains a scene, which will be called "Nanatsu Men" ("Seven Masks") and belongs to the (kabuki jûhachiban. Ebizô uses 5 masks in this first version. This performance is a triumphant success.

November 1740: Ebizô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the roles of Hata Rokurô Saemon and Soga Gorô Tokimune in the kaomise drama "Miya Bashira Taiheiki". He performs successfully the bombastic "Ya-no-Ne" scene. His stage partner in the role of Murakami Hikoshirô is Ichikawa Danzô III, who celebrates his shûmei.

January 1741: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Kagekiyo and Soga Gorô Tokimune in the new year sogamono "Na no Hana Akebono no Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) and the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) are Nakamura Shichisaburô II, Ichikawa Sôzaburô I, Arashi Tominosuke I and Tamazawa Saijirô I.

August 1741: last performance in Edo before going to Ôsaka. Ebizô plays the roles of the deity Fudô Myôô and Minamoto Yorimitsu in the drama "Uruoi Seiwa Genji" but it is not well received by the audience.

October 1741: Ebizô and Ichikawa Danjûrô III leave Edo the 13th and settle in Ôsaka the 24th. It is said that Ebizô accepted to perform in Ôsaka for the enormous amount of 2,000 ryô.

November 1741: Ebizô performs in the drama "Bankoku Taiheiki", which includes the "Uirô Uri" scene and is produced by Sadoshima Chôgorô I at the Ônishi no Shibai.

December 1741: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari in the drama "Yamato Ikioi Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover) and the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) are Yamamoto Kyôshirô I, Onoe Kikugorô I and Shibazaki Taminosuke. Ichikawa Danjûrô III falls suddenly ill the 14th, is replaced by Ichikawa Kinzaburô and leaves Ôsaka the 21st to go back to Edo. The performance, which started the 11th, is not a success and stops the 22nd.

January 1742: Ebizô's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the roles of the wicked priest Narukami, the senior retainer Kumedera Danjô and the deity Fudô Myôô in the drama "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura" [casting]. The performance is a triumphant success and is extended up to the beginning of July 1742.

February 1742: Ichikawa Danjûrô III dies in Edo.

July 1742: Ebizô performs in the same theater in the play "Nanatsu Men", which is staged under the title "Hoshiai Sakae Kagekiyo". Ebizô uses 7 masks in this second version.

August 1742: Ebizô performs in the same theater in the play "Tosa Jirô Imose Kagami".

September ~ October 1742: Ebizô performs in the same theater in the play "Kan'u", which is staged under the title "Higashiyamadono Asahi no Ôgi".

November 1742: Ebizô and Onoe Kikugorô I go to Edo together. The latter joins the Ichimuraza and the former plays the role of Hata Rokurô Saemon at the Kawarazakiza in the kaomise drama "Gaijin Taiheiki".

January 1743: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Karajishi Iwaonosuke in the new year program "Kongen Cha no Yu Yakata".

April 1743: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in "Kagekiyo Utai Mondô".

Fall 1743: Ebizô performs in the same theater in the drama "Sanshô Dayû" but he falls ill and has to rest for a while.

November 1743: Ebizô moves to the Nakamuraza and plays the role of Shinozuka Iga no Kami in the kaomise drama "Funayosooi Mitsugi Taiheiki".

January 1744: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Endô Musha Moritô in the new year program "Sazare Ishi Suehiro Soga".

February 1744: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based dôjôjimono "Momo Chidori Musume Dôjôji". The leading female role is played by Segawa Kikunojô I and his two stage partners are Ebizô and Ôtani Hiroji I.

November 1744: Ebizô performs in the same theater in the kaomise drama "Kachô Taiheiki".

January 1745: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo, disguised as Kudô Saemon Suketsune, in the new year drama "Hagoromo Kotobuki Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are Ogino Izaburô I and Nakamura Shichisaburô II.

July 1745: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Ôtomo no Kuronushi in the drama "Kuronushi Iroha Mondô" but his performance is not well received.

September 1745: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Watanabe Mimbu in the drama "Higashiyama Dono Takara no Ishizue".

November 1745: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Kumano Bettô and Soga Tarô in the kaomise drama "Suehiro Izu Nikki", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Fujikawa Heikurô.

January 1746: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Kagekiyo and the statue of Daruma in the new year drama "Fuji no Yuki Mitsugi Soga".

November 1746: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Hata Rokurô Saemon, Shinozuka Gorô, Watari Shinzaemon and the picture mounter Tarobei in the kaomise drama "Ame Tsuchi Taiheiki", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actors Arashi Koroku I and Tsuuchi Monzaburô.

January 1747: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year drama "Kakizome Yawaragi Soga".His stage partner in the role of Akoya is Yoshizawa Ayame II.

May 1747: Ebizô plays the roles of Genzô and Kan Shôjô, transformed into the God of Thunder, in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which is performed for the first time at the Nakamuraza [casting].

November 1747: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Matano Gorô and Taira no Kiyomori in the kaomise drama "Izu Gunzei Sumô no Nishiki", sharing the top of the bill with the 2 stars Sawamura Chôjûrô III and Segawa Kikunojô I.

January 1748: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is dai-goku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - extreme - superior - superior - excellent). He plays in the same theater the role of Akushichibyôe Kagekiyo in the play "Kazari Ebi Yoroi Soga".

May 1748: premiere in Edo at the Nakamuraza of the play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" in which Ebizô plays the roles of Yazaemon and Noritsune [casting].

June 1748: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Takebe Genzô in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". His stage partners in the roles of Kan Shôjô and Matsuômaru are Nakamura Shichisaburô II and Ôtani Oniji I.

July 1748: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of the Buddhist priest Onikage in the drama "Senshû no Kashima Date Oguri Jikki" but the performance is not successful. He also plays the eponymous role of the play "Kagekiyo".

November 1748: Ebizô plays at the Nakamuraza the roles of Hasebe Nobutsura and Watanabe Takiguchi in the kaomise drama "Onna Moji Heike Monogatari", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Nakamura Kumetarô I.

January 1749: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-dai-murui (extreme - grand - unequaled). He plays in the same theater the roles of Kyô no Jirô, Matano Gorô, Kumagai Jirô Naozane, the priest Shunkan, Tomoe and the warrior Kagekiyo in the new year program "Otoko Moji Soga Monogatari".

March 1749: Ebizô plays the role of Sukeroku in the drama Sukeroku Kuruwa no Ie Zakura. His stage partners in the roles of Agemaki (Sukeroku's lover) and Ikyû (Sukeroku's enemy) are Segawa Kikujirô I and Ichikawa Sôzaburô I. The Yoshiwara pleasure quarter of Edo started in early Spring 1749 to display cherry trees in pots in the heart of the precinct (Naka no Chô) in order to draw the crowds for cherry-blossom-viewing and more. Ebizô reproduces it on stage with fake cherry trees all along the stage.

June 1749: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time; Ebizô plays the roles of Amakawaya Gihei and Ôdachi Kumanosuke [casting].

Summer 1749: Ebizô falls ill and has to rest up to the beginning of 1750.

January 1750: Ebizô is back on stage, at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Taira Kagekiyo, disguised as the hunter Shichibei, in the drama "Ôkazari Saiwai Soga". The role of Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada is played by Sawamura Chôjûrô III.

April 1750: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Kyô no Jirô in the drama "Shigetada Kariba Nikki". His stage partner in the role of Jirô's wife Karaito is Segawa Kikujirô I.

November 1750: Ebizô moves to the Ichimuraza and plays the roles of Shinozuka Iga no Kami, Watari Shinzaemon and Kuryû Danjô Saemon in the kaomise drama "Gaijin Taiheiki". The aragoto role of Kuryû Danjô Saemon, brandishing an ax and pursuing the villains who attacked Lady Kikusui (played by Onoe Kikugorô I), is similar to the role of Soga Gorô in the "Ya-no-Ne" scene.

January 1751: Ebizô play in the same theater the roles of the medecine peddler and Awazu Rokurô Saemon in the new year drama "Hatsuhana Sumidagawa", which includes the "Uirô Uri" scene.

March 1751: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is dai-shigoku-meijin-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - master - superior - superior - excellent). He plays the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Shônin Kitayama Zakura". His stage partner in the role of Princess Taema is Onoe Kikugorô I.

July 1751: Ebizô play in the same theater the role of Sasaki no Saburô in the drama "Sasaki no Saburô Fujito Nikki", "murdering" on stage his partner Onoe Kikugorô I. He performs also at the end of the play the role of the statue of the deity Fudôson.

November 1751: Ebizô plays at the Ichimuraza the role of Hasebe Chôbei in the kaomise drama "Kamimukae Nigiwai Genji".

January 1752: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). He plays the roles of Kagekiyo and Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year program "Suzuriha Sugatami Soga", which is staged at the Ichimuraza.

July 1752: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Fuwa Banzaemon in the drama "Hitokanade Taihei Nagoya" but he falls ill during the performance and has to be replaced. He's convalescent for 14 months.

1753: the Kabuki world commemorates the 49th anniversary (50th memorial service) of the death of Ichikawa Danjûrô I. Ebizô and his son Matsumoto Kôshirô II finance the erection of a memorial stone in the front approach of Kôyasan temple in the Wakayama province. No memorial performance in Edo theaters because of the bad health condition of Ebizô.

November 1753: Ebizô is back on stage, at the Nakamuraza, playing the roles of Shinozuka Iga no Kami, Hata Rokurô Saemon, Bara Mitsujo (?) and the Chinese Shuikki in the drama "Hyakumanki Tsuwamono Taiheiki", which includes a "Shibaraku" scene.

January 1754: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune (third time), Soga Gorô, the Buddhist priest Renshô and the deity Aizen Myôô in the new year program "Momo Chidori Kuruwa Soga", which includes the "Ya-no-Ne" scene (presented to the audience as a once-in-a-lifetime performance of Ebizô) and commemorates the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of the death of Ichikawa Danjûrô III. This performance is a triumphant success and is extended up to June.

July 1754: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Yamamoto Kansuke in the drama "Kongen Okuni Kabuki". His stage partners in the roles of Ômi no Okane, Umetada Tokubei and Matsunaga Danjô are Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Ôtani Hiroji II and Nakamura Sukegorô I.

September 1754: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Yamanaka Shikanosuke in the drama "Kamagafuchi On'ai no Kata Tazuna".

November 1754: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza. Matsumoto Kôshirô II and Matsumoto Kôzô take the respective names of Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô III. Ebizô plays the roles of Miura no Ôsuke and Wada Yoshimori in the kaomise drama "Miura no Ôsuke Bumon no Kotobuki".

January 1755: Ebizô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, murui section (the "unequaled" section, created especially for Ebizô and Suketakaya Takasuke I), is dai-shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (grand - exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). He plays the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Kagekiyo in the new year program "Waka Midori Nishiki Soga". His stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are Ichikawa Yaozô I and Nakamura Shichisaburô II.

August 1755: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Ukishima Danjô and Utsumbo in the drama "Shida Chôja Bashira".

November 1755: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Hasebe Chôbei and the deity Namikiri Fudô Myôô in the kaomise drama "Arigatashi Yunzei Genji".

14 January 1756: the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza are destroyed in a fire.

February 1756: the Nakamuraza is rebuilt and Ebizô plays the role of Oniô Shinzaemon in the drama "Kotobuki Mimasu Soga" - "Mimasu" is the crest (3 squares fitting into each other and representing 3 measures of rice) of the Naritaya guild. His stage partners in the roles of Nagoya Sanza, Fuwa Banzaemon, Katsuragi (Sanza's lover) and Banzaemon's wife are Yamashita Matatarô I, Ichikawa Danjûrô IV, Nakamura Kiyosaburô I and Nakamura Tomijûrô I.

April 1756: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Ôe no Saemon and the spirit of a Monkey in the drama "Chôseiden Fudan Zakura".

July 1756: Ebizô plays in the same theater the roles of Kanki and Ogata Saburô disguised as the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon I in the drama "Zôho Kokusen'ya Gassen" (enlarged and revised version of Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's "Kokusen'ya Gassen"). The performance is a commercial failure.

August 1756: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Kan Shôjô, transformed into the God of Thunder, in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

November 1756: Ebizô moves to the Ichimuraza, leaving Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô III at the Nakamuraza, and plays the role of Shibuya Konnômaru (the leading role of the "Shibaraku" scene) in the kaomise drama "Kaeribana Kon'ô Zakura". He also plays the role of the Chinese warrior Kan'u in the dance drama "Momo Chidori Musume Dôjôji", which celebrates the shûmei of Segawa Kikunojô II.

February 1757: Ebizô plays in the same theater the role of Taira no Kagekiyo in the new year program "Some Tazuna Hatsuuma Soga", which includes the "Uirô Uri" scene (performed for the seventh time by Ebizô). He falls ill at the end of the performance and is convalescent up to March 1758.

March 1758: Ebizô appears on stage for the last time, at the Ichimuraza, playing the role of Soga Gorô in the bombastic scene "Ya-no-Ne", which is part of the drama "Koizome Sumidagawa". He falls ill and has to retire in his cottage in the village of Meguro, not so far from the Fudôson temple. He dies there a few months later, in September, and his tombstone is located in the Jôshôin temple in the district of Shiba.

Comments:

Outstanding tachiyaku and praiseworthy successor of his father, Ichikawa Ebizô II was one of the leading Edo actors from the Kyôhô era to the middle of the Hôreki era. He reached the jô-jô-kichi rank in January 1712 and the goku-jô-jô-kichi rank in February 1720.

He contributed a lot to the development of Kabuki, creating new roles, costum patterns or kumadori make-up patterns. His most famous creation is the role of Sukeroku, who combined both aragoto and wagoto styles and appeared on stage for the first time in March 1713 and was refined through different version up to the masterpiece drama "Sukeroku Kuruwa no Ie Zakura" in March 1749. Here is the list of all Ichikawa Ebizô II's performance in the role of Sukeroku:

Ichikawa Ebizô II is also the creator of several bombastic plays belonging to the kabuki jûhachiban collection: "Uirô Uri" (January 1718), "Oshimodoshi" (March 1727), "Ya-no-Ne" (January 1729), "Kagekiyo" (September 1732), "Kan'u" (November 1737), "Nanatsu Men" (February 1740) and "Kenuki" (January 1742). He also decided to include the "Shibaraku" scene, created by his father as part of a longer play, in almost all the Edo kaomise which he took part in.

Ichikawa Ebizô II was one of the 4 stars called Shitennô ("the big four", this expression comes from the four Deva kings in Buddhism) by the Edo audience (the three others were Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Bandô Hikosaburô I and Ôtani Hiroji I).

Ichikawa Ebizô II's best roles: Soga Gorô Tokimune, Sukeroku, Narukami, Taira no Kagekiyo. Here is the list of all his performance in the role of the wicked priest Narukami:

Ichikawa Danjûrô II performing in duo with the onnagata actor Somekawa Kozarashi in a print made by Torii Kiyoshige (1725~1735)	Ichikawa Ebizô II playing the role of Shinozuka Gorô in a print made by Okumura Masanobu in 1736

Prints & Illustrations

Print made by Torii Kiyonobu in 1714

Print made by Torii Kiyomasu in 1714

Print made by Torii Kiyonobu in 1723

Print made by Torii Kiyomasu in 1723

Print made by Torii Kiyomasu 1723~1727

Print made by Okumura Masanobu in 1727

Print made by Okumura Masanobu (1729 ~ 1740)

Print made by Torii Kiyomasu (1735 ~ 1741)

Print made by Torii Kiyotada

The Ichikawa Kuzô line of actors

The Ichikawa Danjûrô line of actors

The Ichikawa Ebizô line of actors