January: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the bombastic play "Zôhiki" (kabuki jûhachiban), included in the drama "Keisei Ôshôkun". The hero and the villain are played by Ichikawa Danjûrô I and Yamanaka Heikurô I.

7 November: the actor Arashi San'emon II (1661~1701) dies.

Premiere in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu". The 2 leading roles are played by Sakata Tôjûrô I and Arashi Kiyosaburô I.

7 April: double suicide in Ôsaka of the couple of lovers Hiranoya Tokubei (a soy sauce dealer) and Temmaya Ohatsu (a courtesan). This real incident inspires the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon, who writes his first shinjûmono, whose title is "Sonezaki Shinjû" and which is performed at the Takemotoza puppets theater for the first time in May 1703.

29 november: an earthquake hits Edo and the resulting fires destroy the city. The 4 main theaters, the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza, the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza, are burnt to ashes. This catastrophe is nicknamed "Genroku Jishin Kaji" ("Genroku Earthquake and Fire").

Double suicide in Ôsaka of the couple of lovers Kôya Tokubei (a dyer) and Ofusa (a courtesan). This real incident inspires the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon, who writes his second shinjûmono, whose title is "Shinjû Kasane Izutsu" and which is performed at the Takemotoza puppet theater for the first time in 1707.

10 January: the actor Yamatoya Jimbei II dies.

19 February: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô I (1660~1704) dies.

28 February: the actor Bandô Matatarô I (1667~1704) dies.

3 April: the actor Ikushima Hanroku, who murdered Ichikawa Danjûrô I, is executed in Edo.

1 August: the onnagata actor Ogino Sawanojô (1656~1704) dies.

9 December: the actor Saigoku Hyôgorô I (1656~1705) dies.

14 January: a fire breaks out in the district of Kanda Renjaku-chô. It spreads and burns both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

20 November: a fire breaks out in the district of Izumi-chô. It spreads and burns both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

November: premiere at the Yamamuraza of the drama "Taihei Shusse Kagekiyo", which is considered as an earlier version of the kabuki jûhachiban drama "Kagekiyo" [casting].

8 March: a fire breaks out in the district of Kodemma-chô. It spreads and burns both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

August: the actor Murayama Heijûrô I dies.

4 October: a powerful earthquake destroys Ôsaka.

3 February: the actor Nakamura Shichisaburô I (1662~1708) dies.

January: the 4 Edo theaters, the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza, the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza, produce simultaneously a sogamono new year drama. This is the beginning of a custom that is still somehow observed nowadays.

1 November: the actor Sakata Tôjûrô I (1646~1706) dies.

18 December: a fire breaks out in the somptuous palace of the daimyô Sanada, located in the district of Kanda Koyanagi-chô. It spreads and destroys both the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

19 October: the actor Kokan Tarôji I (1644~1711) dies.

5 January: the actor Nakamura Shirogorô I (1651~1712) dies.

23 February: a fire breaks out in the district of Horie-Chô. It spreads and destroys both the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

24 November: the actor Takeshima Kôzaemon I dies.

March: premiere at the Yamamuraza of the play "Hana Yakata Aigo Zakura", which is the first version of "Sukeroku". Ichikawa Danjûrô II plays the leading role of Sukeroku [casting].

15 May: the actor Arashi Kiyosaburô I dies.

25 October: the actor Nakamura Denkurô I (1662~1713) dies.

22 December: a fire breaks out in in the district of Shitaya Byôbusaka and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

February: Ejima, a court lady who serves the mother of the Shôgun, is in love with the star Ikushima Shingorô. Their affair is discovered in the backstage of the Yamamuraza. This incident, which breaks the boundaries between samurai and commoner, is a serious crime for the authorities which decides to deal ruthlessly with the culprits: Ejima and Ikushima Shingorô are exiled to different places, those in the Shôgun's household who are held responsible are executed, the Yamamuraza is definitively closed and its management is heavily fined [more details].

1 November: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon I (1656~1715) dies.

11 January: a fire breaks out in in the district of Shitaya Ike-no-Hata and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

22 April: the actor Nakajima Kanzaemon I (1662~1716) dies.

Fall: First Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Kokusen'ya Gassen", which is produced by the zamoto Sakakiyama Shirotarô I in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater [casting].

November: "Kokusen'ya Gassen" is staged for the first time in Ôsaka, simultaneously produced in 2 theaters, the Ônishi no Shibai and the Higashi no Shibai. It is produced by the zamoto Sawamura Sôjûrô for the nadai Matsumoto Nazaemon in the former theater, starring the actors Anegawa Shinshirô I (Watônai) and Sawamura Sôjûrô (Kanki). It is produced by the zamoto Arashi Gosaburô for the nadai Ôsaka Kuzaemon in the latter theater, starring the actors Sakurayama Shirosaburô I (Watônai), Sanogawa Mangiku (Kinshôjo), Takenaka Tôzaburô (Kanki), Kirinoya Gonjûrô I (Rôikkan) and Kirinami Takie (Watônai's mother).

7 January: a fire breaks out in the district of Owari-chô and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying the Moritaza.

18 January: the actor Yamashita Kyôemon I (1652~1717) dies.

22 January: a fire breaks out in the district of Koishikawa and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

2 May: the actor Ichikawa Danshirô I (1651~1717) dies.

May 1717: first Kabuki adaptation of a puppet theater play in Edo. Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Kokusen'ya Gassen" is produced simultaneously in the 3 Edo Kabuki theaters (Nakamuraza / Ichimuraza / Moritaza).

January: Ichikawa Danjûrô II plays at the Moritaza the leading role in the "Uirô Uri" scene (kabuki jûhachiban), which is performed in the second part (nibanme) of the new year sogamono "Wakamidori Ikioi Soga". The performance is a successful long run (from January to July 1718).

23 January 1718: the actor Shinozuka Jirozaemon I (1657~1718) dies.

February: First Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Nihon Furisode Hajime", which is produced by the zamoto Sakakiyama Shirotarô I in Kyôto at Hayagumo Chôdayû's theater [casting].

January: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet theater drama "Keisei Hangonkô", which was written in August 1708. The play is produced by Arashi San'emon III in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

Spring 1719: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Sonezaki Shinjû" is performed for the first time at the Nakamuraza, starring Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Sanogawa Mangiku in the roles of Hiranoya Tokubei and the courtesan Ohatsu (Tokubei's lover).

20 November: the actor Hayakawa Dengorô (1670~1719) dies.

January: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet theater drama "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima", which was written in 1719. The play is produced by Takeshima Kôzaemon II in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

January: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet theater shinjûmono "Shinjû Kasane Izutsu", which was written in 1707. The same play is simultaneously produced in the 3 Edo theaters and commemorates the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the suicide of the couple Tokubei and Ofusa. Check each theater page for the castings: Nakamuraza / Ichimuraza / Moritaza.

13 January: a fire breaks out in in the district of Sakai-chô; the Nakamuraza is half-burnt.

27 July: the actor Ichikawa Kuzô dies.

19 February: the actor Ôtani Hiroemon I (1666~1721) dies.

May: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Shinjû Ten no Amijima", which was originally written for the puppet theater in December 1720, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time and staged in Edo at the Moritaza. The roles of Kamiya Jihei and Koharu are played by Ichikawa Ebizô II and Sodesaki Miwano I.

10 December: a fire breaks out in the district of Kanda Tominaga-chô and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

24 February: the actor Bandô Matakurô III dies.

January: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Sonezaki Shinjû" is performed for the first time at the Kado no Shibai, starring Arashi San'emon III and Sanogawa Mangiku in the roles of Hiranoya Tokubei and the courtesan Ohatsu (Tokubei's lover) [casting].

21 March: a fire breaks out in Ôsaka and destroys several theaters.

15 May: the actor Yamanaka Heikurô I (1642~1724) dies.

14 June: the actor Uemura Kichiya III dies.

27 September: the actor Sakata Tôjûrô II (1669~1724) dies.

25 October: the actor Nakamura Takesaburô I dies.

November: the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1635~1724), Japan's Shakespeare, dies.

27 November: a fire breaks out in in the shibai jaya Maruya, located in the district of Fukiya-chô, and spreads to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

11 September: the actor Kaneko Kichizaemon dies.

September: the actor Yamada Jimpachi dies.

25 January: the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke I (1691~1729) dies.

3 March: the actor Fujikawa Buzaemon I (1632~1729) dies.

15 July: the great onnagata actor Yoshizawa Ayame I (1673~1729) dies.

Karyû Jiemon, who held the name of Sodesaki Karyû up to Winter 1718, dies.

29 March: the actor Matsumoto Kôshirô I (1674~1730) dies.

August: first Kabuki adaptation of Hasegawa Senshi and Matsuda Bunkôdô puppet theater drama "Miura no Ôsuke Ôbai Tazuna", which was written in February 1730. The play is produced by Arashi Sanjûrô II in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai.

The actor Osagawa Jûemon dies.

March: Segawa Kikunojô I plays at the Nakamuraza the leading role of the first dôjôjimono of Kabuki history, called "Mugen no Kane Shindôjôji".

Summer: the actors Otowa Jirosaburô I and Sakurayama Shirosaburô I die.

September: first Kabuki adaptation of Matsuda Bunkôdô and Hasegawa Senshi puppet theater drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki". The play is produced by Arashi Kokuseki at Miyako Mandayû's theater in Kyôto [casting].

September: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji and Miyoshi Shôraku puppet theater drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin". The play is produced by Sakakiyama Shirotarô I in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai. The casting is unknown.

September: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Kagekiyo", which is produced under the title "Ôichô Sakae Kagekiyo" [casting].

March: the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki" is performed for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

January: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the dance "Fûryû Aioi Jishi".

24 January: the actor and zamoto Sawamura Chôjûrô I (1675~1734) dies.

January: the Moritaza goes bankrupt. The hikae yagura system is authorized by the Shogunate. Morita Kan'ya IV gives his right for Kabuki performance to Kawarazaki Gonnosuke III, zamoto of the Kawarazakiza.

19 June: the actor Bandô Matakurô II dies.

23 April: the actor Sakata Hangorô I (1683~1735) dies.

May: first Kabuki adaptation of Takeda Izumo 5 acts puppet theater drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami", which was written in October 1734. The play is produced by Nakamura Tomijûrô I in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater [casting].

November: great shûmei at the Ichimuraza. Ichikawa Danjûrô II gives his name to his adopted son and takes the name of Ichikawa Ebizô II during the kaomise drama "Kongen Nana Komachi". The actors Ichikawa Masugorô and Matsumoto Shichizô I respectively take the names of Ichikawa Danjûrô III and Matsumoto Kôshirô II.

The actor Ogino Yaegiri I dies.

January: the play "Karukaya Dôshin Tsukushi no Iezuto", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in August 1735 in Ôsaka at the Toyotakeza, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai (unknown casting).

January : the trio made up of Segawa Kikunojô I, Ichimura Takenojô IV and Ichimura Manzô perform together at the Ichimuraza in "Sayo no Nakayama Asamagadake", the first Tokiwazu-based dance in Kabuki history.

9 August: the actor Yamashita Matashirô I (1661~1736) dies.

9 September: the actor Tsuruya Namboku I (1672~1736) dies.

6 November: the actor Ogawa Zengorô I (1682~1737) dies.

November: the play "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Kawarazakiza, as a kaomise drama titled "Uruoizuki Ninin Kagekiyo" [casting].

4 August: the zamoto Kawarazaki Gonnosuke II dies.

May: first Kabuki adaptation of the Matsuda Bunkôdô, Takeda Izumo I, Takeda Koizumo, Miyoshi Shôraku and Asada Kakei puppet theater drama "Hirakana Seisuiki". The play is produced in Kyôto by Mizuki Tatsunosuke II for the nadai Hoteiya Umenojô at the Minamigawa no Shibai [casting].

12 July: the actor Arashi Sangorô I (1687~1739) dies.

22 August: the actor Arashi Kanshirô I dies.

5 April: the actor Ichikawa Danzô I (1684~1740) dies.

26 April: the actor Sengoku Hikosuke I (1684~1740) dies.

September: the play "Hirakana Seisuiki" is performed for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Kado no Shibai. It is produced by Nakamura Jûzô I and Nakamura Tomijûrô I plays the role of Chidori.

20 October: the actor Ichikawa Danzô II (1710~1740) dies.

18 February: the actor Haruyama Genshichi II dies.

August: the play "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in May 1741 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, in Kyôto at Hayagumo Chôdayû's theater [casting].

4 November: the actor Sawamura Otoemon I (1687~1741) dies.

The actor Ikushima Shingorô is back in Edo after a very long exil (Cf. 1714).

January: premiere at the Ônishi no Shibai of the drama "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura", which is produced by Sadoshima Chôgorô I [casting].

27 February: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô III dies.

March: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the dance "Hanabusa Shishi no Rangyoku", the third part (sanbanme) of the program "Fuji Miru Sato Sakae Soga"; Segawa Kikunojô I plays the leading role of this Lion dance, still in the Kabuki repertoire and commonly called "Makura Jishi".

July: the play "Keisei Hangonkô" is performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza [casting].

7~9 August: a violent typhoon hits Edo, causing floods in the city; the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza have to stop their performances for a while.

The actor Ikushima Shingorô dies in Edo.

Summer: the actor Tomizawa Montarô I dies.

17 September: the zamoto Morita Kan'ya IV dies.

February: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based dôjôjimono "Momo Chidori Musume Dôjôji". The leading female role is played by Segawa Kikunojô I and his two stage partners are Ichikawa Ebizô II and Ôtani Hiroji I.

January : Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Hangonkô" is performed for the first time in Kyôto, at the Minamigawa no Shibai [casting].

August: the play "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in July 1745 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, is immediately adapted to Kabuki and staged for the first time in August 1745 in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater [more details].

23 September: the actor Mizuki Tatsunosuke I (1673~1745).

December: the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" is performed for the first time in Ôsaka, simultaneously in the three major theaters of the city, which starts a competition for the best performance and line-up:

[Naka no Shibai]

[Kado no Shibai]

[Ônishi no Shibai]

25 December: the actor Ôtani Hiroemon II dies.

1745: the actor Tamiya Shirogorô (1685~1745) dies.

February (end of month): a fire breaks out in the district of Tsukiji, in the mansion of Tsubouchi Gonzaemon. It spreads and destroys the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza and the Moritaza.

September: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in August 1746 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, produced at the Kitagawa no Shibai by Nakamura Kiyosaburô I [casting].

10 January: the actor Ichiyama Sukegorô I (1692~1747) dies.

Spring: the actor Tamiya Jûzaburô I dies.

March: the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" is performed for the first time in Edo, at the Ichimuraza [casting].

May: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time [casting].

25 May: the actor Ôtani Hiroji I (1696~1747) dies.

15 June: the actor Sakakiyama Koshirô I (1671~1747) dies.

19 July: the actor and zamoto Sanogawa Mangiku (1690~1747) dies.

January: the play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in November 1747 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time and staged in Ise with the actors Kataoka Nizaemon IV (Tokaiya Gimpei, Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan) and Yamamoto Koheiji (Tadanobu).

6 February: the actor Ogino Izaburô I (1703~1748) dies.

May: the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" is performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza [casting].

August: the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" is performed for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

December: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in August 1748 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

February: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza.

March: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is staged for the first time in Kyôto, at the Kitagawa no Shibai.

May: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is produced at the Ichimuraza for the first time.

June: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time [casting].

25 November: the star Anegawa Shinshirô I (1685~1749) dies.

April: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" is produced at the Moritaza for the first time [casting].

2 July: the actor Yamashita Kinsaku I dies.

1 January: the actor Bandô Hikosaburô I (1693~1751) dies.

January: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Tamamo-no-Mae Asahi no Tamoto", which is produced in Kyôto by Miyako Handayû at his theater [casting].

July: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna", which was originally written by Miyoshi Shôraku and Yoshida Kanshi in February 1751. The play is staged in Edo at the Nakamuraza [casting].

April: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki", which was originally written by Namiki Sôsuke and Asada Icchô in December 1751. The play is staged in Edo at the Moritaza [casting].

11 May: the actor Ichikawa Sôzaburô I (1687~1752) dies.

November: the play "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" is staged for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

January: first Kabuki adaptation of the 5 acts puppet theater drama "Yamatogana Ariwara Keizu", which is produced as a new year drama at the Minamigawa no Shibai by Yamashita Matatarô I [casting].

March ~ June 1753: Nakamura Tomijûrô I achieves an huge success for several months by playing the main role of the dance "Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji", which is performed for the first time at the Nakamuraza [print].

25 April: the actor Sawamura Genjirô dies.

July: the play "Hirakana Seisuiki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Ichimuraza [casting].

March: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the dance "Hanabusa Shûjaku no Shishi".

10 July: the actor Arashi Shimpei I (1697~1754) dies.

18 July: the actor Yoshizawa Ayame II (1702~1754) dies.

November: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza. Matsumoto Kôshirô II and Matsumoto Kôzô take the respective names of Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô III during the kaomise program "Miura no Ôsuke Bumon no Kotobuki".

November: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet drama "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô", which was originally staged in July 1754 in Ôsaka at the Toyotakeza; this production is staged at Hoteiya Umenojô's theater in Kyôto as the kaomise drama "Fûkigusa Aioi Genji" [more details].

January: publication of the hyôbanki "Yakusha Sankazu", which gives clearly the reasons of the decline and dullness of Kabuki in the city of Kyôto.

February: first Kabuki adaptation of the 5 acts puppet theater drama "Ono no Tôfû Aoyagi Suzuri", which was originally written by Takeda Izumo II, Miyoshi Shôraku and Chikamatsu Hanji in October 1754. It is produced by Sawamura Kunitarô I and staged at the Minamigawa no Shibai [casting].

3 January: the actor Suketakaya Takasuke I (1685~1756), who held also the name of Sawamura Sôjûrô I, dies.

14 January: a fire breaks out in in the district of Shinzaimoku-chô. It spreads and destroys both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

22 April: the actor Arashi San'emon IV (1732~1756) dies.

23 November: a fire breaks out in in the district of Kôjimachi. It spreads and destroys the Moritaza.

January: the play "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza with the following casting [casting].

13 July: the actor Sadoshima Chôgorô I (1700~1757) dies.

September: first Kabuki adaptation of Namiki Senryû I and Miyoshi Shôraku puppet theater drama "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki", which was written in 1749. The play is produced by Anegawa Daikichi in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai (casting unknown).

14 September: the actor Fujioka Daikichi dies.

25 November: the retired zamoto Nakamura Kankurô II (1688~1757) dies.

January: first Kabuki adaptation of the 5 acts puppet theater drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki", which was originally written by Asada Icchô, Nakamura Akei and Toyotake Ôritsu in December 1757. It is simultaneously produced at the Minamigawa no Shibai [casting] and the Kitagawa no Shibai [casting].

May: the play "Gion Sairei Shinkôki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza [casting].

24 September: the actor Ichikawa Ebizô II (1688~1758), who held the prestigious name of Ichikawa Danjûrô II from 1704 to 1735, dies.

19 October: the actor Ichikawa Yaozô I (1730~1759) dies.

November: the play "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" is staged for the first time in Kyôto, at the Minamigawa no Shibai. The play is produced by Sawamura Kunitarô I and Somematsu Matsujirô and the roles of Yoshitsune and Tadanobu are played by Arashi Sangorô II.

26 November: the actor and zamoto Iwai Hanshirô III (1698~1759) dies.

February: a fire breaks out in in the district of Kanda and spreads to Sûzaki in Fukagawa. It destroys both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. It is called "Akashiya no Kaji" ("the Akashiya fire"), based on the name of the shop where it started.

March: premiere of the bombastic play "Kaneiri Gedatsu no Koromo" (commonly called "Gedatsu", a scene belonging to the kabuki jûhachiban collection), performed within the drama "Soga Mannen Bashira" at the Ichimuraza, with Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Anegawa Daikichi in the roles of Kagekiyo and Princess Hitomaru.

4 July: the actor Fujikawa Heikurô (1698~1761) dies.

17 September: a fire breaks out in the Gekiza theater. It destroys the Ichimuraza and damages the Nakamuraza.

23 March: the actor Nakajima Mihoemon I dies.

29 March: the actor Imamura Shichisaburô II (1720~1762) dies.

April: first Kabuki adaptation of the 5-act puppet theater drama "Gosho Zakura Horikawa no Youchi", which is staged at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

7 May: the actor et zamoto Ichimura Uzaemon VIII (1698~1762) dies.

5 August: the actor Nakajima Kanzaemon II (1696~1762) dies.

16 September: the actor Yamashita Matatarô I (1712~1762) dies.

12 November: the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I (1722~1762) dies.

February: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara", which is staged at the Moritaza [casting].

20 June: the actor Ogino Yaegiri II (1726~1763) dies.

13 July: the actor Nakamura Sukegorô I (1711~1763) dies.

20 October: the actor Yamamoto Kyôshirô I (1700~1764) dies.

17 August: the actor Nakamura Kichibei I (1684~1765) dies.

29 February: a fire breaks out in in the district of Sakai-chô, in the cosmetics shop owned and managed by the actor Onoe Kikugorô I. It destroys both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. This fire is nicknamed "Kikugorô Aburamise Kaji" ("Kikugorô's cosmetics shop fire").

May: first Kabuki adaptation of the 5 acts puppet theater drama "Honchô Nijûshikô", which was originally written by Chikamatsu Hanji, Miyoshi Shôraku and Takeda Inaba and performed at the Takemotoza in January 1766. The play is staged in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

12 May: the actor Osagawa Tsuneyo I dies (1724~1766).

February: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku", which was originally written by Chikamatsu Hanji and performed at the Takemotoza in October 1766. The play is staged in Edo at the Ichimuraza [casting].

12 April: the actor Ichikawa Raizô I (1724~1767) dies.

2 July: the actor Sakakiyama Koshirô III (1724~1767) dies.

December: the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" is produced at the Kado no Shibai for the first time [casting].

9 January: the actor Sakakiyama Sagisuke (1697~1768) dies.

7 March: the actor Sakakiyama Koshirô IV (1740~1768) dies.

4 May: the actor Bandô Hikosaburô II (1741~1768) dies.

November: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the dance "Oshiegusa Yoshiwara Suzume", the first version of "Yoshiwara Suzume" [more details].

26 March: the actor Arashi Otohachi I (1711~1769) dies.

11 January: the actor Bandô Sampachi I dies.

May: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji's gidayû kyôgen "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". The play is staged in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

17 June: the actor Nakamura Kichiemon I (1694~1770) dies.

30 August: the actor Sawamura Sôjûrô II (1713~1770) dies.

November 1770: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza; Ichikawa Danjûrô IV takes back his previous name of Matsumoto Kôshirô II and his son Matsumoto Kôshirô III receives the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô V during the kaomise drama "Nue no Mori Ichiyô no Mato", which also celebrates the arrival of Ichikawa Danzô III and Yamashita Kinsaku II at the Nakamuraza and the shûmei of the actors Nakamura Shichisaburô II, Ichikawa Benzô I and Nakamura Shichinosuke I, who respectively take the names of Nakamura Shôchô, Ichikawa Monnosuke II and Nakamura Shichisaburô III.

December: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Namiki Shôzô's drama "Kuwanaya Tokuzô Irifune Monogatari" [casting].

January 1771: Matsumoto Kôshirô II achieves a great success at the Nakamuraza by playing the deity Aizen Myôô and the seven roles of Kagekiyo in the new year drama "Sakaichô Soga no Nendaiki".

March ~ May 1771: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", produced by Mimasu Tokujirô I at the Kitagawa no Shibai [casting].

15 May: the actor Ichikawa Datezô I dies.

10 June: the actor Bandô Sadajûrô dies.

August 1771: Nakamura Tomijûrô I achieves a great success at the Moritaza by performing a seven-roles Nagauta-based dance called "Kiku ha Yae Shichinin Geshô" [more details].

24 June: the actor Ichikawa Danzô III (1709~1772) dies.

November: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Gohiiki Kanjinchô", performed as a kaomise drama [casting].

May: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the Nagauta-based dance "Sono Omokage Ninin Wankyû". The roles of Wankyû and the courtesan Matsuyama are played by Ichimura Uzaemon IX and Segawa Tomisaburô I. This dance commemorates the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of the death of Ichimura Uzaemon VIII.

28 July: the actor Edosaka Kyôemon (1726~1774) dies.

24 August: the actor Sakata Tôjûrô III (1701~1774) dies.

2 September: the actor Nakamura Shôchô (1703~1774) dies.

18 November: the actor Yoshizawa Ayame III (1720~1774) dies.

24 January: the zamoto Kawarazaki Gonnosuke III dies.

28 February: the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô VII (1717~1775) dies.

January: for the first time in Kabuki history, chiwata threads are used in the scene of the bloody murder of the priest Dainichibô by Akoya in the new year program "Tsukisenu Haru Hagoromo Soga, which is performed at the Ichimuraza. This new technique is very well received by the audience.

May: the play "Honchô Nijûshikô" is performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza [casting].

July: premiere at the Kado no Shibai of Iso Isosuke's drama "Yamato Kotoba Suikoden" [casting].

November: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Sakurada Jisuke I's Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Momo Yogiku Iro no Yo no Naka" [casting].

December: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Nagawa Kamesuke I's drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa" [casting].

January: premiere at the Kitagawa no Shibai of the drama "Keisei Tonoi Zakura", whose plot is very close to Nagawa Kamesuke I's drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa" [casting].

April: premiere in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai of Nagawa Kamesuke I's drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" [casting].

18 June: the actor Nakamura Kiyosaburô I (1721~1777) dies.

3 July: the actor Ichikawa Yaozô II (1735~1777) dies.

15 July: Nakamura Kumetarô I (1724~1777) dies.

November: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Nakamura Shigesuke's Tomimoto-based (musical accompaniment is written by Namizaki Tokuji) dance-drama "Meotozake Kawaranu Nakanaka" (commonly called "Kurama Jishi") [casting].

15 November: the actor and zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô VIII (1719~1777) dies.

19 November: the actors Nakamura Noshio I (1752~1777) and Nakamura Shingorô II (1747~1777) die.

29 December: the actor Fujikawa Hachizô I (1730~1777) dies.

January: the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza [casting].

January: premiere at the Minamigawa no Shibai of Namiki Gohei's drama "Keisei Hakataori" [casting].

25 February: the actor Ichikawa Ebizô III (1711~1778) dies.

April: premiere in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai of Namiki Gohei I's play "Kinmon Gosan no Kiri", which is produced by the zamoto Ogawa Kichitarô I, with Arashi Hinasuke I and Onoe Kikugorô I playing the roles of Ishikawa Goemon and Mashiba Hisayoshi.

July: premiere of the play "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki" at the Nakamuraza [casting].

7 February: the actor Sôryô Jinroku I dies.

April: first Kabuki adaptation of Utei Emba, Kijô Tarô and Yô Yôdai puppet theater drama "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi", which was written in January 1780. The play is staged in Edo at the Moritaza [casting].

19 May: the actor and zamoto Morita Kan'ya VI (1724~1780) dies.

25 September: the actor Mimasu Daigorô I (1718~1780) dies.

8 December: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô I (1737~1780) dies.

19 February: the actor Ogawa Kichitarô I (1737~1781) dies.

March: Ichikawa Danzô IV plays 7 roles (nanayaku) in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is staged at the Moritaza. Roles: En'ya Hangan, Ôboshi Yuranosuke, Honzô's wife Tonase, Amakawaya Gihei, Yoichibei, Ono no Sadakurô and Ôwashi Bungo. This is the first time in Kabuki history that an actor plays seven roles in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

16 August: the actor Ôtani Tomoemon I (1744~1781) dies.

November: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the dance-drama "Waga Sekogakoi no Aizuchi" (commonly called "Kumo no Hyôshimai"), which is performed within the kaomise program "Shitennô Tonoi no Kisewata" [casting].

December: premiere in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai of Nagawa Kamesuke's drama "Tengajaya-Mura" [casting]. A similar play is staged a few days later under a different title, "Renga Chaya Homare no Bundai", at the Naka no Shibai [casting]. The competition for the best performance and the best line-up is open between the 2 theaters. The performance at the Kado no Shibai is a huge success and a long run. The performance at the Naka no Shibai is a commercial failure.

January: the play "Tengajaya-Mura" is staged for the first time in Kyôto, at the Kitagawa no Shibai [casting]

17 May: the actor Sakata Hangorô II (1724~1782) dies.

10 April: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô I (1745~1782) dies.

17 December: the actor Nakajima Mihoemon II (1724~1782) dies.

19 March: the actor Nakayama Shinkurô II (1738~1783) dies.

April: first Kabuki adaptation of Yô Yôdai's puppet theater drama "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie", which was written in 1782. The play is staged in Edo at the Moritaza [casting].

July: the play "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie" is staged for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

10 August: the zamoto Morita Kan'ya VII dies.

September: the play "Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in April 1783 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

4 December: the actor Nakajima Mihoemon III (1736~1782) dies.

28 October: a fire breaks out in Edo in the district of Kodemma-chô. It spreads and burns both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

29 December: the actor Onoe Kikugorô I (1717~1783) dies.

January: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Keisei Yamato Zôshi" [casting].

May: the play "Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami", which was originally written by Suga Sensuke for the puppet theater and premiered in October 1776 in Ôsaka, is adapted by Namiki Gohei I to Kabuki for the first time, and staged in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

November: premiere at the Kiriza (Edo) of the drama "Tsumoru Koi Yuki no seki no To", which is performed within the drama "Jûni Hitoe Komachi Zakura" [casting].

26 December: a fire breaks out in Edo in the palace of a daimyô and destroys the Moritaza.

February: Segawa Kikunojô III performs at the Kiriza all the roles of a Nagauta-based 5-role hengemono, which is titled "Haru-ha Mukashi Yukari no Hanabusa". 2 of these roles became independent dances, which are still part of the current repertoire: "Hane no Kamuro" (a kamuro with a Japanese battledore and shuttlecock racket) and "Shirozake Uri" (the sweet white sake seller).

May: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji's puppet theater drama "Shimpan Utazaimon", which was written in September 1780. The play is produced in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai [casting].

25 August: the actor and zamoto Ichimura Uzaemon IX (1725~1785) dies.

26 August: the actor Arashi San'emon VI (1760~1785) dies.

26 July: the actor Arashi San'emon V (1710~1786) dies.

3 August: the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô I (1719~1786) dies.

11 October: the actor Nakamura Rikô I (1742~1786) dies.

9 March: the actor Fujikawa Hachizô II (1747~1787) dies.

March: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Taikô Shinkenki", a play similar to "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi" [casting].

12 July: the actor Onoe Kikugorô II (1769~1787) dies.

August: Namiki Gohei I's drama "Taikô Shinkenki", which was premiered in March 1787 at the Naka no Shibai [casting], is staged for the first time in Kyôto [casting].

March: premiere at the Kado no Shibai of Namiki Gohei I's play "Sewa Ryôri Yaoya Kondate" [more details].

May: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Yasuzô and Umeno Shitakaze puppet theater drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi", which was written in 1786. The play is produced in Ise at the Furuichi no Shibai [casting].

28 May: the actor Arashi Shichigorô II (1733~1788) dies.

12 June: the actor Nakamura Jûzô II (1740~1788) dies.

15 September: the actor Miogi Gizaemon II (1731~1789) dies.

February: the actor Nakamura Jiroza II dies.

March: the play "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi" is staged for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Naka no Shibai. The casting is unknown.

23 April: the actor Nakamura Nakazô I (1736~1790) dies.

September: the play "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Ichimuraza; it celebrates the onagori kyôgen of the Kamigata star Asao Tamejûrô I [more details].

14 September: the katakiyaku actor Ôtani Hiroemon III (1726~1790) dies.

January: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based dance "Taimen Hana no Harukoma", which is performed at the end of the new year program "Haru no Sekai Nigiwai Soga" [casting].

April: premiere at the Kawarazakiza of the dance "Tenaraiko", which is performed by the star Iwai Hanshirô IV as part of a seven-role hengemono titled "Kakitsubata Nanae no Someginu".

28 September: the actor Yoshizawa Ayame IV (1737~1792) dies.

27 July: the actor Mimasu Daigorô II (1748~1793) dies.

The print-maker Tôshûzai Sharaku begins his short career, doing all his works between 1794 and February 1795 before disappearing mysteriously, leaving behind him some of the most famous actor prints.

January ~ March: premiere of Tatsuoka Mansaku's drama "Keisei Haru no Tori" (7 acts - 23 scenes), which is produced by the zamoto Asao Okujirô in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai. The role of Oda Sanshichirô Nobutaka is played by Ichikawa Danzô IV. Only one scene, called "Uma Giri", survived but it is hardly performed.

13 January: the actor Nakajima Kanzaemon III (1738~1794) dies.

15 June: the actor Ogawa Kichitarô II (1760~1794) dies.

September: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji's puppet theater drama "Kamakura Sandaiki", which was written in 1781. The play is produced by the zamoto Asao Okujirô in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

19 November: the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II (1743~1794) dies.

March: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Komochi Yamamba", which was originally written for the puppet theater, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

June: the play "Miura no Ôsuke Ôbai Tazuna" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Kiriza [casting].

6 June: the actor Sakata Hangorô III (1756~1795) dies.

17 August: the actor Bandô Iwagorô (1732~1795) dies.

4 January: the zamoto Kawarazaki Gonnosuke IV dies.

January: premiere at the Kiriza of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi" [casting].

February: Suga Sensuke's puppet theater drama "Keisei Koi no Hikyaku" is adapted to Kabuki for the first time and staged at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

29 March: the great Kamigata star Arashi Hinasuke I (1741~1796) dies.

July: premiere of Chikamatsu Tokuzô's play "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba" in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai [casting].

September: the play "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi" is staged for the first time in Edo, simultaneously at the Kiriza [casting] and the Miyakoza [casting].

7 November: the actor Nakamura Nakazô II (1759~1796) dies.

January: premiere at the Kiriza (Edo) of Namiki Gohei I's play "Tomioka Koi no Yamabiraki", which is commonly called "Ninin Shimbei" [casting].

19 February: the actor Nakayama Bunshichi II (1755~1798) dies.

22 March: the actor Nakamura Tôzô I (1752~1798) dies.

19 June: the actor Azuma Tôzô III (1756~1798) dies.

29 September: the choreographer Shigayama Mansaku IX (1768~1798) dies.

5 November: the actor Arashi Shichigorô III (1761~1798) dies.

15 February: the zamoto Ichimura Uzaemon X (1748~1799) dies.

13 May: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VI (1778~1799) dies.

28 August: the actor Nakamura Denkurô IV (1774~1799) dies.

12 September: the actor Yamashita Kinsaku II (1733~1799) dies.

20 March: the actor Nakamura Noshio II (1759~1800) dies.

28 March: the actor Iwai Hanshirô IV (1747~1800) dies.

November: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Yanagi's puppet theater drama "Ehon Taikôki", which was written in July 1799. The play is produced by Nakayama Tokujirô in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai [casting].