Stage names:
Nakajima Kanzaemon II
Nakajima Kanroku I
Nakajima Sukeroku
Guild: Nakajimaya
Line number: NIDAIME (II)
Poetry names: Zeshô, Zekô
Existence: 1696 ~ 5 August 1762
Connection:
Grandfather: Abura Kanroku
Father: Nakajima Kanzaemon I
Career:
1696: born in Edo. His first name is Nakajima Sukeroku. Later on, As a tribute to his grandfather Abura Kanroku, he receives the name of Nakajima Kanroku I.
22 April 1716: his father Nakajima Kanzaemon I dies.
Fall 1716: Nakajima Kanroku I takes the name of Nakajima Kanzaemon II at the Moritaza.
Fall 1740: Kanzaemon goes to Kyôto.
November 1740: Kanzaemon plays at Miyako Mandayû's theater in the kaomise drama "Asuka Miyako Jindai no Maki" and the drama "Hayazaki Taiheiki".
Fall 1742: Kanzaemon goes back to Edo.
November 1742: Kanzaemon plays at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Keisei Akazawayama".
January 1747: Kanzaemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent).
May 1747: Kanzaemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Sukune Tarô in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
November 1747: Kanzaemon plays at the Moritaza the role of Suruga Zenji in the kaomise drama "Aruji Môke Onna Hachinoki".
January 1748: Kanzaemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
June 1749: Kanzaemon plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Ono no Kudayû in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
March 1751: Kanzaemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, slightly falls below the jô-jô-kichi rank (superior - superior - excellent).
May 1755: Kanzaemon plays at the Moritaza the role of Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of En'ya Hangan is played by Matsuyama Sanjûrô.
February 1762: Kanzaemon appears on stage for the last time, at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Ômi no Kotôta in the new year drama "Soga Biiki Nihon Zakura". He falls ill and has to retire.
5 August 1762: Kanzaemon dies in Edo; his tombstone is located in the precinct of the Hôonji temple in the district of Honjo.
Comments:
Nakajima Kanzaemon II was a Edo katakiyaku actor, who made a successful career from the end of the Hôei era to the end of the Hôreki era. His ranking was jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) for 3 years (1748~1750) and he excelled in warrior roles in jidaimono dramas.
The mon of Nakajima Kanzaemon II (two bamboo hats in a circle)
The Nakajima Kanzaemon line of actors