Stage names:
Nakamura Jakuemon IV
Ôtani Tomoemon VII
Ôtani Hirotarô I
Real name: Aoki Kiyoharu
Line number: YODAIME (IV)
Birthday: 20 August 1920
Connections:
Grandfather: Nakamura Sagisuke II
Father: Ôtani Tomoemon VI
Father-in-law: Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
Sons: Nakamura Shibajaku VII, Ôtani Tomoemon VIII
Grandsons: Ôtani Hirotarô III, Ôtani Hiromatsu II
Disciples: Nakamura Kyôzô, Nakamura Kyôtae, Nakamura Kyôsaburô, Nakamura Kyôshi
Career:
December 1927: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Ichimuraza, receiving the name of Ôtani Hirotarô I.
March 1948: Ôtani Hirotarô I becomes Ôtani Tomoemon VII at the Tôkyô Gekijô, playing in the drama "Suma Miyako Gempei no Tsutsuji".
May 1949: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the dance-drama "Higaki"; Tomoemon plays the role of Ono no Komachi [casting].
1952: Tomoemon plays the role of Gohei in Naruse Mikio's movie "Okuni to Gohei"; the role of Okuni is played by the actress Kogure Michiyo.
1954: Tomoemon plays the role of Dr. Motaba in Mizoguchi Kenji's movie "Uwasa no Onna" ("A Woman of Rumour"); his movie partner is the famous actress Tanaka Kinuyo.
March 1958: Tomoemon takes part in the final Kabuki performance at the Ôsaka Kabukiza [more details].
September 1964: Ôtani Tomoemon VII takes the name of Nakamura Jakuemon IV at the Kabukiza, playing the roles of Omiwa and princess Yuki in the plays "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" and "Gion Sairei Shinkôki".
November 1966: opening ceremony of the National Theatre in Tôkyô with the full length performance of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; Jakuemon plays the roles of Tatsuta no Mae and Yae [casting].
December 1966: second month of the opening ceremony of the National Theatre with the full length performance of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; Jakuemon plays the role of Yae [casting].
March 1967: revival at the National Theatre of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which is supervised by Gunji Masakatsu; Jakuemon plays the roles of Princess Sakura and Fûrin Ohime [casting].
April 1976: revival in 5 acts and 9 scenes at the National Theatre of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Kinmon Gosan no Kiri"; Jakuemon plays the roles of Sonô no Kata and Oritsu [casting].
January 1983: revival of "Nanatsu Men" at the National Theatre; Jakuemon plays the role of the keisei Akoya [casting].
January 1984: historic revival at the National Theatre of the play "Sankai Nagoya"; Jakuemon plays the role of the courtesan Katsuragi [casting].
1991: Jakuemon receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).
November 2002: the Kabukiza commemorates the 74th anniversary (75th memorial service) of the death of late Nakamura Jakuemon III; Jakuemon plays the prestigious role of Princess Princess Yaegaki in the drama "Jusshukô". He is supported by an all-star ensemble: Onoe Kikugorô (Katsuyori), Nakamura Shikan (Nureginu), Nakamura Tomijûrô (Nagao Kenshin), Ichikawa Danjûrô (Shirasuga Rokurô) and Kataoka Nizaemon (Hara Kobunji).
Comments:
Nakamura Jakuemon IV is an amazing onnagata actor who played all the most difficult princesses and courtesans roles of the Kabuki repertoire. He's 82 years old but still very dynamic and he keeps on playing prestigious roles almost every month.
Official Internet website: http://www.kabuki.ne.jp/jakuemon/
Nakamura Jakuemon playing the role of the Wisteria Maiden in the dance "Fuji Musume"
Print courtesy of Paul Binnie (all rights reserved)
Print made by Tsuruya Kôkei in 1986
The Ôtani Tomoemon line of actors
The Nakamura Jakuemon line of actors
