Stage names:

Nakamura Kanzaburô II
Nakamura Akashi Kanzaburô
Nakamura Akashi I
Nakamura Kanjirô

Other name: Tsuruya Kanzaburô

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Existence: 1647 ~ 26 August 1674

Connections:

Father: Nakamura Kanzaburô I

Brothers: Nakamura Kankurô I, Nakamura Kanzaburô III

Son: Nakamura Akashi II

Son-in-law: Nakamura Shichisaburô I

Grandsons: Nakamura Seizaburô II, Nakamura Shôchô

Great-great-grandson: Nakamura Kanzaburô IX

Disciples: Saruwaka Sanzaemon I, Hanai Saizaburô I, Nakamura Seigorô I

Career:

1647: born in Edo. His first name is Nakamura Kanjirô (Nakamura Kansuke according to the "Kabuki Jinmei Jiten").

18 January 1657: a fire breaks out in the Honmyôji temple in the district of Hongô and devastates Edo. All the Kabuki theaters are destroyed by the flames, including the Nakamuraza. His father Nakamura Kanzaburô I takes it as an opportunity to travel with his son to his native city of Kyôto.

May 1657: Nakamura Kanzaburô I and his son are invited to perform before the Imperial Court. As a reward, the young boy is allowed to take the name of Nakamura Akashi I.

September 1657: Akashi and his father go back to Edo.

9 June 1658: his father Nakamura Kanzaburô I dies.

August 1658: Nakamura Akashi I takes the name of Nakamura Akashi Kanzaburô and become the new zamoto of the Nakamuraza.

14 January 1660: a fire breaks out in the district of Yushima, burning down the Nakamuraza.

28 October 1661: the Nakamuraza is burnt down in a big fire.

1662: Nakamura Akashi Kanzaburô takes the name of Nakamura Kanzaburô II.

August 1673: Kanzaburô is invited to perform with his troupe at the mansion of the daimyô Matsudaira Yamato-no-Kami.

16 August 1674: Kanzaburô dies.

Comments:

Nakamura Kanzaburô II was the second zamoto of the Nakamuraza. He managed (sometimes under the name of Tsuruya Kanzaburô) his theater for 17 years wihtout going bankrupt and he was affected only by 2 fires. As an actor, he was mainly a wakashugata and a talented dancer. He unfortunately died in his prime.

The mon of Nakamura Kanzaburô II (the ginkgo tree)

The Nakamura Kanzaburô line of actors and theater managers