Stage names:
Ôtani Hiroemon I
Ôtani Hirokichi
Line number: SHODAI (I)
Poetry name: Banfû
Existence: 1666 ~ 19 February 1721
Connections:
Son: Ôtani Hiroji I
Disciple: Ôtani Hiroemon II
Career:
1666 ~ 1693: no data available on the first years of the career of this actor, who starts to play under the name of Ôtani Hirokichi, then takes the name of Ôtani Hiroemon I at an unknown date.
1694: his name appears for the first time in the Edo hyôbanki, in the katakiyaku section.
November 1696: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza in the drama "Neko no Koneko", commonly called "Onna Narukami". His stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô I, Ogino Sawanojô, Nakamura Shichisaburô I, Nakamura Denkurô I, Sodeoka Masanosuke II, Murayama Jûheiji and Nakajima Kanzaemon I.
November 1698: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of the monk warrior Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan in the drama "Yoshino Shizuka Goban Tadanobu". His stage partners in the roles of Tadanobu, Tamewaka and Kotadawaka are Ichikawa Danjûrô I, Nakamura Sen'ya I and Ichikawa Kuzô I.
March 1699: Hiroemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, is jô-jô (superior - superior).
May 1699: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of the Hell deity Emma Daiô in the drama "Katsuragi Sayo Arashi".
November 1699: Hiroemon moves to the Moritaza and plays the role of Nikki Nyûdô in the drama "Tôsei Okuni Kabuki". His stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô I, Miyazaki Denkichi and the Kamigata star Ogino Sawanojô.
November 1700: Hiroemon plays the role of Kiyohara no Takehira in the Moritaza kaomise drama "Kagemasa Ikazuchi Mondô".
March 1701: Hiroemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
January 1704: Hiroemon plays at the Yamamuraza the role of the monk warrior Benkei in the drama "Genji Aioi Jûnidan".
November 1706: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza in the drama "Uji Genji Yumihari Zuki".
November 1709: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Arakawa Danjô in the drama kaomise drama "Imagawajô Ryôshun Katoku".
November 1711: Hiroemon plays at the Yamamuraza the role of Oyama Hangan in the drama "Shida Konjiki no Uroko".
November 1713: Hiroemon becomes jitsuaku and plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Ômori Hikoshichi in the kaomise drama "Onna Kusunoki Taiheiki".
February 1714: Hiroemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
November 1716: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Noto no Kami Noritsune in the drama "Mitsudomoe Katoku Biraki".
November 1718: Hiroemon moves to the Moritaza and plays the role of the rebel Abe no Sadatô in the drama "Zenkunen Yoroi Kurabe".
January 1720: Hiroemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Tomoe Gozen in the drama "Ichi Fuji Raihai Soga".
November 1720: Hiroemon plays the role of Kiyohara no Takehira in the Nakamuraza kaomise drama "Michi-no-Ku Taiheiki".
January 1721: Hiroemon appears on stage for the last time, at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Matano Gorô in the drama "Kichijô Ôtaka Soga". He falls suddenly ill and dies in February. His tombstone is located in the precinct of the Seidenji Temple in the district of Shiba in Edo.
Comments:
Ôtani Hiroemon I was the founder of the Ôtani clan and an outstanding katakiyaku, who competed with Yamanaka Heikurô I and Hayakawa Dengorô for the title of Edo best jitsuaku.
Ôtani Hiroemon I playing the role of Kiyohara no Takehira in a print made by Utagawa Toyokuni III (1862~1863)
The Ôtani Hiroemon line of actors