Stage names:
Ichikawa Gonjûrô
Arashi Rikaku
Arashi Rikaku III
Arashi Yoshisaburô
Arashi Kichimatsu
Arashi Kichimaru
Real name: Okada Kikusaburô
Guilds: Yamazakiya (Ichikawa years), Teshimaya (Arashi years)
Real name: Okada Kikusaburô
Poetry names: Rikaku, Rikô
Existence: 15 September 1848 ~ 27 March 1904
Connections:
Adopted father: Arashi Rikaku II
Masters: Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, Arashi Rikan III
Career:
15 September 1848: born in Kyôto in a Kabuki-liking family (his father Iseya Kisaburô is a government official), he starts to learn traditional dance and music at an early age.
March 1858: he becomes disciple of the star Arashi Rikan III, who gives him the name of Arashi Kichimaru. He plays the role of Sodehagi's daughter Okimi in the drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara", which is staged at the Minamigawa no Shibai; the role of Sodehagi is played by Arashi Rikan III.
1858 ~ 1864: he takes the name of Arashi Kichimatsu at an unknown dates and joins a travelling troupe of children-actors performing in miyaji shibai. He goes on tour in both Kyûshû and Shikoku.
21 April 1863: his master Arashi Rikan III dies.
1864: he is adopted by Arashi Rikaku II and receives the name of Arashi Yoshisaburô.
14 July 1864: his adopted father Arashi Rikaku II dies.
1865: Arashi Yoshisaburô takes the name of Arashi Rikaku III.
1866: he quarrels with the widow of Arashi Rikaku II and decides to leave Ôsaka.
February 1867: Rikaku goes to Edo. He changes the writing of his first name:
| Original writing for Rikaku | New writing |
| 璃珏 | 璃鶴 |
You need a Japanese Language Kit installed within your system in order to be able to read the characters
1871: Rikaku is sent to prison because of his involvement in a murder by poisoning.
1874: Rikaku comes out of prison and goes back to the Kabuki world; he becomes disciple of the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô IX.
October 1874: he takes the name of Ichikawa Gonjûrô at the Kawarazakiza, playing the role of Shinnojô in the drama "Kumo no Ueno San'e no Sakumae".
May 1881: premiere at the Saruwakaza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Ôsakazuki Shusen no Tsuwamono"; Gonjûrô plays the role of Lord Ii Kamon-no-Kami Naotaka [casting].
October 1881: premiere at the Harukiza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Kiwametsuki Banzui Chôbei"; Gonjûrô plays the roles of Sakuragawa Gorozô and Mizuno Jûrôzaemon [casting].
November 1884: premiere at the Saruwakaza of Kawatake Mokuami's katsureki drama "Hôjô Kudai Meika no Isaoshi"; Gonjûrô plays the role of Osaragi Michinoku-no-Kami [casting].
November 1893: Gonjûrô takes part in the opening ceremony of the Meijiza [info].
March 1903: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Kichirei Soga no Ishizue", which is produced to celebrate the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VI, Onoe Baikô VI and Onoe Eizaburô VI; Gonjûrô plays the role of Kobayashi Asaina Saburô [casting]. This is his last stage performance; victim of a sudden pneumonia, he has to retire.
13 September 1903: his master Ichikawa Danjûrô IX dies.
27 March 1904: Gonjûrô dies in Tôkyô.
Comments:
Ichikawa Gonjûrô was a tachiyaku actor, born and trained in Kamigata, who became one of the best disciples of Ichikawa Danjûrô IX. His most striking features were great vocal projection, great lines delivery and ... a terrible Kamigata accent. He was also involved in a criminal case, called "Yoarashi Okinu Satsujin" (the murder of Okinu during a night storm - It sounds like a Kabuki drama), which led him to the Tôkyô jails, where he spent three years. His others notable performances include the roles of Mizuno Jûrôzaemon ("Yudono no Chôbei") and Lord Ii Kamon-no-Kami Naotaka ("Ôsakazuki Shusen no Tsuwamono").
Ichikawa Gonjûrô playing the role of Matsudaira Izu-no-Kami in a print made by Toyohara Kunichika
Print made by Utagawa Yoshiiku in 1867
Print made by Kôchôrô Hôsai in 1891