Stage names:
Iwai Hanshirô X
Ichikawa Shôen II
Real name: Nishina Tadayoshi
Guild: Yamatoya
Line number: JÛDAIME (X)
Birthday: 8 August 1927
Connections:
Master: Ichikawa Ennosuke II
Disciples: Iwai Yoshitarô, Iwai Wakajirô
Career:
August 1927: born in Tôkyô. He is the elder son of the dance master Hanayagi Jutarô I.
November 1935: he makes his first appearance on stage, at the Yûrakuza, playing under his real name the role of Sankichi in the drama "Kyôenroku".
May 1939: he becomes disciple of Ichikawa Ennosuke II and takes the name of Ichikawa Shôen II at the Yûrakuza, playing the role of Kimimatsu in the drama "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage".
February 1946: Shôen becomes nadai and celebrates it by playing at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Sukemori in the drama "Takiguchi Nyûdô no Koi".
July 1951: premiere at the Kabukiza of Uno Nobuo's drama "Jiisan Baasan"; Shôen plays the role of Iori's son Kyûya [casting].
October 1951: Ichikawa Shôen II takes the prestigious name of Iwai Hanshirô X at the Kabukiza, playing the role of the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô and young Hikari-no-Kimi in the dramas "Kotobuki Soga no Taimen" and "Genji Monogatari".
October 1955: first Kabuki tour in the Popular Republic of China, in Beijing (2~13 october), Shanghai (17~18 october) and Guangzhou (24~25 october); Hanshirô plays the roles of Shûrinosuke and Sakurako in the drama "Domo Mata" and the dance "Meoto Dôjôji" [more details]. Hanshirô has the opportunity to meet the stars of the Chinese Traditional Opera like the famous Mei Lan-Fang.
October 1956: Hanshirô moves to the Tôhô, a competitor of the Shôchiku.
1961: Hanshirô is back at the Shôchiku.
October 1965: first Kabuki tour in Western Europe, in West Berlin at the Der Freien Volksbühne (2~8 october), in Paris at the Théâtre de l'Odéon (15~24 october) and in Lisbonne at the Teatro São Luis (29~31 october); Hanshirô plays the roles of Senoo Tarô and Kakogawa Honzô in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shunkan" and the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura" [more details].
November 1966: opening ceremony of the National Theater in Tôkyô with the full length performance of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; Hanshirô plays the role of Miyoshi Kiyotsura [casting].
March 1967: revival at the National Theater of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which is supervised by Gunji Masakatsu; Hanshirô plays the role of Matsui Gengo [casting].
January 1980: Hanshirô receives the National Theater Excellence Prize (Kokuritsu Gekijô Yûshûshô) for his performance in the role of Inokuma Nyûdô Raiun in the revival of the drama "Modoribashi Senani Gohiiki".
April 1982: Hanshirô receives the National Theater Excellence Prize (Kokuritsu Gekijô Yûshûshô) for his performance in the role of Sachûben Mareyo in the revival of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Tenmangû Natane no Gokû".
January 1983: revival of "Nanatsu Men" at the National Theater; Hanshirô plays the role of Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka [casting].
January 1997: tôshi kyôgen revival at the National Theater of the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki"; Hanshirô plays the role of Hanaôgiya Toheiji [casting].
Comments:
Iwai Hanshirô X is a retired actor, who spent his career as a dynamic supporting tachiyaku/nimaime/katakiyaku, excelling in many minor comical roles. He was a very popular actor during his Shôen years, playing major roles in duo with Ichikawa Monnosuke VII. His popularity helped him receiving one of the most prestigious Kabuki stage names but he somehow lost his stardom and became a supporting actor. He was also the head of a branch of one of the Iwai shools of dance.
Iwai Hanshirô X playing the role of Ushiwakamaru in the dance "Hashi Benkei" (print made by Natori Shunsen in 1957)