Stage names:
Sawamura Gennosuke IV
Sawamura Seijûrô II
Sawamura Seizaburô
Sawamura Seishi II
Real name: Sawamura Seizaburô
Nickname: Tambo no Tayû (literally "the paddy field master") - Tambo was the name of his neighbourhood in Asakusa
Guild: Kinokuniya
Line number: YODAIME (IV)
Poetry names: Shûkô, Seigaku
Existence: 14 March 1859 ~ 20 April 1936
Connections:
Adopted father: Sawamura Gennosuke III
Son-in-law: Sawamura Gennosuke V
Career:
1859 ~ 1870: born in Ôsaka. His family moves to Edo when he is a child. He is adopted by the actor Sawamura Gennosuke III, who gives him the name of Sawamura Seishi II.
15 September 1863: his adopted father Sawamura Gennosuke III dies.
November 1870: he makes his first stage appearance, at the Moritaza, where he receives the name of Sawamura Seizaburô and plays the role of Okiyo in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô".
October 1873: Sawamura Seizaburô takes the name of Sawamura Seijûrô II at the Sawamuraza, playing the role of the kamuro Midori in the drama "Akegarasu Neya no Akatsuki".
November 1882: Sawamura Seijûrô II takes the name of Sawamura Gennosuke IV.
February 1885: Gennosuke takes part in the opening ceremony of the Chitoseza [more details].
May 1888: première at the Chitoseza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame"; Gennosuke plays the role of Okitsu [casting].
August 1917: the play "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" is produced at the Kabukiza for the first time; Gennosuke plays the role of Otatsu [casting].
February 1925: Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure", commonly called "Shirafuji Genta", is revived at the Hongôza, under the supervision of the writer Nagai Kafû; Gennosuke plays the roles of Gonsuke's wife Otsuta and Sakama Dembei [casting].
April 1926: Gennosuke plays at the Hongôza the role of Ichimonjiya Osai in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
November 1935: Gennosuke appears on stage for the last time, at the Meijiza, playing in the drama "Suzuki Mondo".
20 April 1936: Gennosuke dies.
Comments:
Sawamura Gennosuke IV was an outstanding onnagata actor, who was also able to play a wide range of male roles. Akuba roles were his field of excellence, like Otomi ("Kirare Otomi") or Dakki no Ohyaku ("Hyaku Monogatari"). He moved at the beginning of the 20th century from ôshibai, where he was supporting the stars Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Onoe Kikugorô V, to koshibai, performing as a leading actor in venues like the Asakusaza or the Miyatoza. He joined back the ôshibai in his latter years. He was considered as the last true Edo onnagata.
Sawamura Gennosuke IV playing the role of Okoi in the drama "Izu Miyage Keiô Kibun", which was staged in September 1900 at the Meijiza (print made by Kôchôrô Hôsai)