Stage names:

Kawarazaki Gonjûrô IV
Bandô Shônosuke

Real name: Bandô Masakuni

Guilds:

Yamazakiya (Kawarazaki Gonjûrô years)
Otowaya (Bandô Shônosuke years)

Line number: YODAIME (IV)

Birthday: 6 February 1954

Connections:

Great-great-great-grandfathers: Onoe Kikugorô III, Ichimura Uzaemon XI

Great-great-grandfather: Ichimura Takenojô V

Great-grandfather: Onoe Kikugorô V

Grandfather: Bandô Hikosaburô VI

Father: Ichimura Uzaemon XVII

Brothers: Bandô Hikosaburô VIII, Ichimura Manjirô II

Career:

July 1960: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Kabukiza, receiving the name of Bandô Shônosuke and playing the role of Ishigami in the dance-drama "Tsuchi Gumo".

February 1989: he becomes nadai and plays at the Kabukiza the roles of Hanaregoma Chôkichi and Bunji in the dramas "Sumôba" and "Megumi no Kenka", which are performed in a special show commemorating the fortieth birthday of the Onoe Kikugorô Gekidan troupe.

January 2002: the National Theater produces the revival of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Koharunagi Okitsu Shiranami", which has not been played in its full length since November 1864; Shônosuke plays the role of the yakko Yumihei [casting].

May 2003: Bandô Shônosuke takes the name of Kawarazaki Gonjûrô IV at the Kabukiza, playing the roles of Mizuno Jûrôzaemon, Kashima Nyûdô Shinsai and a bonze in the dramas "Kiwametsuki Banzuiin Chôbei", "Shibaraku" and "Kappore".

March 2007: tour in Paris (France); Gonjûrô plays at the Palais Garnier the roles of Kataoka Hachirô and a retainer of Koremochi in the dance-dramas "Kanjinchô" and "Momijigari", which celebrate the Ichikawa clan [more details].

Comments:

Kawarazaki Gonjûrô IV is a talented supporting actor who appeared a lot in TV dramas at the beginning of his career. He definitively went back to the Kabuki world in the middle of the eighties.