Stage names:
Nakamura Fukusuke IX
Nakamura Kotarô V
Real name: Nakamura Eiichi
Guild: Narikomaya
Line number: KUDAIME (IX)
Birthday: 29 October 1960
Connections:
Great-grandfather: Nakamura Utaemon V
Grandfather: Nakamura Fukusuke V
Father: Nakamura Shikan VII
Brother: Nakamura Hashinosuke III
Brother-in-law: Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII
Son: Nakamura Kotarô VI
Career:
April 1967: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Kabukiza, receiving the name of Nakamura Kotarô V and playing in "Nozakimura".
May 1968: revival at the National Theater of "Ura Omote Sendai Hagi"; Kotarô plays the role of Senmatsu [casting].
April ~ May 1983: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in the USA and in South America, performing in 18 shows in 8 cities; he plays the roles of Senzai and princess Taema in the plays "Kotobuki Shiki Sambasô" and "Narukami".
May ~ June 1985: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in Europe, performing in 18 shows in 4 cities; he plays the role of Shizuka Gozen in the play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".
April 1987: Kotarô takes part in the revival at the Meijiza of the play "Jûni Hitoe Komachi Zakura", which includes the famous Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Tsumoru Koi Yuki no seki no To" [more details].
October ~ November 1987: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in Europe, performing 36 shows in 5 cities; he plays the role of Shizuka Gozen in the classic "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".
June 1989: the drama "Kaidan Botan Dôrô" using Ônishi Nobuyuki's script is staged for the first time with a full Kabuki casting, at the Shimbashi Embujô; Kotarô plays the role of Genjirô's lover Okuni [casting].
June ~ July 1990: Kotarô takes part in a Kabuki tour in the USA, performing in 26 shows in several big cities; he plays the role of princess Taema in the play "Narukami" [casting]. Kotarô plays also several roles in the play "Osome Hisamatsu Ukina no Yomiuri", which is performed only during 2 shows in Los Angeles.
April 1992: Nakamura Fukusuke VIII and Nakamura Kotarô V take the respective names of Nakamura Baigyoku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IX at the Kabukiza; the new Fukusuke plays the roles of Hanako in the dance "Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji" and Princess Yuki in the classic "Kinkakuji".
September 1998: third edition of the Cocoon Kabuki with the production of "Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu"; Fukusuke plays the role of Koman [more details].
April 2001: Fukusuke plays for the first time the main role of the great dance "Sagi Musume", which is performed at the Kabukiza.
June 2001: 4th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki with the production of "Sannin Kichisa"; Fukusuke plays the role of Ojô Kichisa [more details].
June 2005: 6th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki (the first one without Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII) with the production of "Sakura Hime"; Fukusuke plays the role of Princess Sakura [more details].
June 2007: 8th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki with the production of "Sannin Kichisa"; Fukusuke plays the role of Ojô Kichisa [more details].
Comments:
Nakamura Fukusuke IX is a popular onnagata actor and a talented stage partner for Nakamura Kankurô in (hysterical) spouses roles in sewamono dramas. It is said he is likely to be the next Nakamura Utaemon.
Photograph courtesy of Curtis Knapp