Stage names:

Kataoka Gatô II
Kataoka Gadô 2.3
Kataoka Matsunosuke II
Mimasu Umemaru

Others names:

Kataoka Nizaemon IX
Kataoka Roen II

Guild: Matsushimaya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Poetry names: Gadô, Roen (2)

Existence: 1839 ~ 22 November 1871

Connections:

Grandfather: Kataoka Nizaemon VII

Father: Kataoka Shimamaru

Master: Mimasu Daigorô IV

Adoptive father: Kataoka Nizaemon VIII

Brothers: Mimasu Inemaru I, Kataoka Ichizô III

Career:

1839 ~ 1851: born in Ôsaka. His father, son of Kataoka Nizaemon VII, is not an actor but a painter, which uses the name of Nishikawa Kuniharu. He serves his apprenticeship with the star Mimasu Daigorô IV, who gives him the name of Mimasu Umemaru at an unknown time.

1851: he is adopted by Kataoka Gadô II and receives the name of Kataoka Matsunosuke II.

1854: Matsunosuke and his adoptive father Kataoka Gadô II settle in Edo.

April 1856: Kataoka Matsunosuke II takes the name of Kataoka Gatô II at the Nakamuraza, performing in the drama "Hitokana-de Kodakara Soga".

13 May 1859: his first master Mimasu Daigorô IV dies.

October 1862: Gatô and his adoptive father Kataoka Nizaemon VIII go back to Ôsaka.

January 1863: Gatô's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-(hanshiro)kichi (superior - superior - almost excellent).

16 February 1863: his adoptive father Kataoka Nizaemon VIII dies in Ôsaka; Gatô has to replace him to play the role of Tabakoya Sankichi in the new year drama "Keisei Sôshinji", which is staged at the Kado no Shibai.

March 1863: Gatô plays in the same theater the roles of Momoi Wakasanosuke, Hayano Kampei, Katô Yomoshichi, Konami, Igo and Ishidô Umanojô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". He also plays the role of Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô"; the role of the courtesan Ôgiya Yûgiri is played by Nakamura Sennosuke II.

Spring 1866: he goes on tour in Ise, where he temporarily performs under the name of Kataoka Gadô.

October 1871: Gatô plays at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Hinadori and Motome in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin". He also plays the role of Yogorô in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".

November 1871: Gatô goes to Kyôto to perform the sames roles at the Minamigawa no Shibai; he unfortunately falls ill.

22 November 1871: Gatô dies in Kyôto.

Comments:

Kataoka Gatô II was a 19th century Ôsaka actor, who was able to perform a wide range of tachiyaku, katakiyaku or onnagata roles. Wagoto and jitsugoto roles were his forte. He posthumously received the name of Kataoka Nizaemon IX.

Kataoka Gatô II playing the role of Asama Tomoenojô in the drama "Asama-ga-Dake Omokage Zôshi", which was staged in August 1871 at the Kado no Shibai
(print made by Utagawa Yoshitaki)

Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1861

Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1862

The Kataoka Gatô line of actors