Stage names:
Jitsukawa Gakujûrô I
Asao Gakujûrô
Asao Yûjirô I
Nakamura Yaozô
Asao Yaozô
Guild: Izutsuya
Line number: SHODAIME(I)
Poetry name: Enjaku
Existence: 1782 ~ 4 November 1835
Connections:
Masters: Asao Kuzaemon I, Nakamura Nakazô II
Adopted sons: Jitsukawa Yûjirô I, Jitsukawa Gakujûrô II
Career:
1795: he starts his career in Ôsaka as a disciple of Asao Kuzaemon I, who gives him the name of Asao Yaozô.
1796: he becomes disciple of Nakamura Nakazô II and takes the name of Nakamura Yaozô.
November 1796: Nakamura Nakazô II dies.
1809: Yaozô goes back to his first master and he takes the name of Asao Yûjirô I.
January 1810: Yûjirô goes to Edo and plays at the Moritaza 2 roles in the drama "Hachijin Shugo no Honjô".
March 1817: premiere at the Kawarazakiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô"; Yûjirô plays the role of the yakko Gunsuke [casting].
1818: Yûjirô goes back to Kamigata.
January 1822: he receives the patronage of the star Nakamura Utaemon III; Asao Yûjirô I takes the name of Asao Gakujûrô, playing in the drama "Keisei Somewake Tazuna", which is produced at the Naka no Shibai by the zamoto Asao Yosaburô.
August 1824: his master Asao Kuzaemon I dies.
January 1827: Gakujûrô's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
January 1830: Gakujûrô's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is shi-jô-jô-kichi (unique - superior - superior - excellent). He is also the kanjiku for tachiyaku actors.
January 1833: Asao Gakujûrô and Asao Enzaburô take the respective names of Jitsukawa Gakujûrô I and Jitsukawa Enzaburô I. This is the foundation of the Jitsukawa clan. Gakujûrô plays at the Naka no Shibai the roles of Yokoyama Tarô, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Yorozuya Chôbei and Hosokawa Masamoto in the drama "Hime Kurabe Futabae Zôshi", which is produced by Arashi Takejirô. Gakujûrô's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is hakudai-jô-jô-kichi (almost grand - superior - superior - excellent).
March 1835: Gakujûrô achieves a great success by playing at the Naka no Shibai the roles of Kan Shôjô and Takebe Genzô in the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
July 1835: Gakujûrô plays at the Kado no Shibai 4 roles in the drama "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki".
October 1835: Gakujûrô suddenly falls ill and dies in Ôsaka in November. His tombstone is located in the precinct of the Honshôji Temple in the district of Tanimachi.
Comments:
Jitsukawa Gakujûrô I was a talented tachiyaku, who started his career in Ôsaka minor theaters (hama shibai), spent 8 years in Edo and became one of the best zagashira in Kamigata. He excelled in wagotoshi, jitsugotoshi and budôgoto roles. He was also able to play wakaonnagata roles.
Jitsukawa Gakujûrô I was the founder of the Jitsukawa clan.
Jitsukawa Gakujûrô I playing the role of Tsuji Yôsuke in the drama "Keisei Hanabusa Zôshi", which was staged in January 1835 at the Naka no Shibai (print made by Hokuei)