Stage names:

Nakamura Kashichi IV
Nakamura Shichigasuke
Nakamura Nakasuke II
Nakamura Nakazô IV
Bandô Jusaburô I

Real name: Akita Shichigasuke

Guild: Shôkakuya

Line number: YODAIME (IV)

Poetry name: Keijaku, Hikaku

Existence: 1817 ~ 13 February 1881

Connection:

Master: Bandô Jutarô I

Adopted father: Nakamura Kashichi III

Adopted son: Nakamura Hikaku

Career:

1817: born in Kamigata. He starts his career as an early age as a disciple of Bandô Jutarô I, who gives him the name of Bandô Jusaburô I and makes him perform in miyaji shibai.

24 December 1841: his master Bandô Jutarô I dies.

1840s: he is spotted by Nakamura Tomijûrô II in Nagoya. The Ôsaka star introduces him to Nakamura Kashichi III, who adopts him later on.

January 1848: Bandô Jusaburô I takes the name of Nakamura Nakazô IV.

November 1853: Nakamura Nakamura Nakazô IV takes the name of Nakamura Nakasuke II.

January 1865: Nakasuke's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, jitsuaku/katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).

January 1867: Nakamura Nakasuke II takes the name of Nakamura Shichigasuke.

January 1874: Nakamura Shichigasuke takes the name of Nakamura Kashichi IV at the Chikugo no Shibai, playing at the role of Ganryû in the drama "Katakiuchi Nitô Eiyûki".

September 1880: Kashichi plays at the Naka no Shibai the roles of Fujiwara no Shihei, Shiratayû and Shundô Gemba in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

January 1881: Kashichi appears on stage for the last time, in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai, playing 3 roles in the drama "Haru no Koma Oguri Kaiden".

13 February 1881: Kashichi dies in Ôsaka; his adopted son Nakamura Hikaku dies the 20th of February.

Comments:

Nakamura Kashichi IV was a 19th century actor who made most of his career in Kamigata. Equally at home in sewamono and jidaimono dramas, he specialized in katakiyaku and fukeyaku (in his latter years). He was a talented and popular actor, renowned for the quality of his line-delivery and diction.

Nakamura Kashichi IV playing the role of Ganryû in the drama "Katakiuchi Nitô Eiyûki", which was staged in January 1875 at the Chikugo no Shibai (print made by Utagawa Yoshitaki)

The Bandô Jusaburô line of actors

The Nakamura Nakazô line of actors