Stage names:
Sawamura Genjirô
Ichimura Katsura
Murakami Hatsujûrô
Poetry name: Gembo
Existence: ??? ~ 25 April 1753
Connection:
Masters: Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Ichimura Tamagashiwa I, Murakami Zenzaemon
Career:
January 1707: he starts his career in Kyôto as a wakaonnagata.
Fall 1716: he becomes a disciple of the actor Ichimura Tamagashiwa I, who gives him the name of Ichimura Katsura.
November 1716: Murakami Hatsujûrô takes the name of Ichimura Katsura in Kyôto, performing at Miyako Mandayû's theater in the kaomise drama "Eboshidakara Mangoku no Kaname".
Fall 1721: Katsura goes to Edo.
November 1721: Katsura plays at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Kichirei Imagawajô"
Fall 1726: he becomes disciple of Sawamura Sôjûrô I.
November 1726: he becomes kashagata and takes the name of Sawamura Genjirô at the Nakamuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Kaomise Jûnidan".
January 1737: Genjirô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, kashagata section, is jô-jô-(shiro)hankichi (superior - superior - (white) half excellent).
November 1743: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Hanazono in the kaomise drama "Funayosooi Mitsugi Taiheiki", which celebrates the shûmei of Ôtani Oniji I.
January 1744: Genjirô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, kashagata section, is jô-jô-(hanshiro)kichi (superior - superior - almost excellent).
May 1747: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time; Genjirô plays the role of Kakuju [casting].
November 1747: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Izu Gunzei Sumô no Nishiki".
January 1748: Genjirô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, kashagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
November 1748: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Minase in the kaomise drama "Onna Moji Heike Monogatari".
June 1749: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time; Genjirô plays the role of Yoichibei's wife Osawa [casting].
November 1749: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Enju in the kaomise program "Onnô Taiheiki".
February 1751: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Hangaku in the new year drama "Izu Kosode Shôbai Kagami".
November 1751: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Honryô Hachinoki Zome".
April 1752: Genjirô plays in the same theater the role of Ubara no Hayashi in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".
November 1752: Genjirô plays at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Akazawayama Sumô Nikki".
January 1753: Genjirô appears on stage for the last time, at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Shôji Saemon's wife Okô in the new year drama "Otokodate Hatsugai Soga".
25 April 1753: Genjirô dies in Edo.
Comments:
Sawamura Genjirô was the last great kashagata in Edo, where he made a successful career from the beginning of the 1720s to the beginning of the 1750s. He had a powerful voice, suitable for the roles of evil women. He was more at ease in sewamono than in jidaimono.
The kashagata section of the Edo 1753 hyôbanki (Sawamura Genjirô is on the right side)