Stage names:

Nakajima Kanzaemon III
Nakajima Kanroku III
Nakajima Dennosuke

Guild: Nakajimaya

Line number: SANDAIME (III)

Poetry names: Zeshô, Tôshi

Existence: 1738 ~ 13 January 1794

Connection:

Great-grandfather: Abura Kanroku

Grandfather: Nakajima Kanzaemon I

Father: Nakajima Kanzaemon II

Career:

1738: born in Edo. His first stage name is Nakajima Dennosuke.

November 1753: Nakajima Dennosuke takes the name of Nakajima Kanroku III at the Ichimuraza, playing as a katakiyaku with his father in the kaomise drama "Kamuri Kurabe Yatsushi Kuronushi".

5 August 1762: his father Nakajima Kanzaemon II dies.

November 1762: Nakajima Kanroku III takes the name of Nakajima Kanzaemon III at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Ecchû no Jirôbei in the kaomise drama "Nagi no Ha Izu no Sugatami".

January 1792: Kanzaemon is the kanjiku for katakiyaku actors in the Edo hyôbanki.

January 1793: Kanzaemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent).

May 1793: Kanzaemon plays at the Ichimuraza the role of Kô no Moronô in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

Fall 1793: Kanzaemon plays in the same theater the role of Hôjô Tokimasa in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

November 1793: Kanzaemon appears on stage for the last time, playing at the Kawarazakiza the role of Higekuro no Ôji, the evil prince of the "Shibaraku" scene, in the drama "Nigiwai Genji Hana Saku Mon".

13 January 1794: Kanzaemon dies in Edo.

Comments:

Nakajima Kanzaemon III was a katakiyaku actor, who made all his career in Edo during the second half of the 18th century. He was said to look like the actor Ôtani Ryûzaemon II. He was also able to play old women roles in his latter years.

Nakajima Kanzaemon III in a print made by Katsukawa Shunshô in 1770

The Nakajima Kanzaemon line of actors