Stage names:
Morita Yasosuke
Morita Kan'ya VI
Sawamura Kodenji II
Sawamura Shigenoi
Takinaka Shigenoi
Takenaka Shigenoi
Guild: Kinojiya
Line number: ROKUDAIME (VI)
Existence: 1724 ~ 19 May 1780
Connections:
Father: Nakamura Jûsuke I
Masters: Sawamura Sôjûrô I, Takinaka Utagawa
Father-in-law: Morita Kan'ya V
Son: Morita Kan'ya VII
Son-in-laws: Bandô Mitsugorô I, Nakamura Jûsuke II
Disciple: Sawamura Kodenji III
Career:
1724: born in Edo. He is the son of the playwright Nakamura Jûsuke I.
November 1732: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Ichimuraza, where he receives the name of Takenaka Shigenoi.
November 1739: he becomes disciple of Takinaka Utagawa, who gives him the name of Takinaka Shigenoi; he plays at Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Tokiwagi Taiheiki".
Fall 1740: he becomes disciple of the star Sawamura Sôjûrô I.
November 1741: Takinaka Shigenoi takes the name of Sawamura Shigenoi at the Ichimuraza, playing in the kaomise drama "Kichirei Imagawajô".
November 1746: Sawamura Shigenoi takes the name of Sawamura Kodenji II at the Nakamuraza, playing in the kaomise drama "Ametsuchi Taiheiki".
May 1747: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time; Kodenji plays the role of Yae [casting].
January 1748: Kodenji plays at the Nakamuraza the role of the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô in the new year drama "Kazari Ebi Yoroi Soga".
May 1748: the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" is performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza; Kodenji plays the role of Shizuka Gozen [casting].
June 1749: the play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" is produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time; Kodenji plays the role of Kakogawa Honzô's wife Tonase [casting].
January 1750: Kodenji's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
1751: Kodenji gets married with the daughter of the zamoto Morita Kan'ya V.
November 1751: his father-in-law Morita Kan'ya V retires, taking the name of Bandô Matazaemon; Sawamura Kodenji II takes the name of Morita Kan'ya VI, becoming the new zamoto of the Moritaza. He produces his first kaomise program titled "Aizuchi Jûnidan".
23 November 1756: a fire breaks out in in the district of Kôjimachi, which burns down the Moritaza.
February 1763: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara", which is staged at the Moritaza; Kan'ya plays the role of Kenjô's wife Hamayû [casting].
November 1774: Morita Kan'ya VI retires, taking the name of Morita Yasosuke. He entrusts the management of the Moritaza to his son Morita Tarobei II, who takes the name of Morita Kan'ya VII.
Comments:
Morita Kan'ya VI's career was divided in two parts: he was a talented actor from November 1732 to October 1751, who played wakashugata, wakaonnagata or tachiyaku roles. Then, he managed the Moritaza from November 1751 to October 1774, still acting for some occasions. It is worth noting that, during his 23-seasons career, his theater did not shut down, did not transfer its license to the Kawarazakiza and was destroyed by fire only once.
Morita Kan'ya VI in a print made by Ippitsusai Bunchô in 1770
Illustrations of Morita Kan'ya VI
The Sawamura Kodenji line of actors
The Morita Kan'ya line of actors and theater managers