Stage names:
Arashi Kichisaburô VII
Kataoka Tônosuke
Real name: Kitagami Yanosuke
Guild: Okajimaya
Line number: SHICHIDAIME (VII)
Existence: 1 December 1894 ~ 11 February 1973
Connection:
Master: Kataoka Nizaemon XI
Career:
1 December 1894: born in Tôkyô outside the Kabuki world. His father, Kitagami Gennosuke, is in the electric appliances business.
October 1908: first stage appearance, at the Meijiza.
1910: he settles in Ôsaka and becomes a disciple of Kataoka Nizaemon XI, who gives him the name of Kataoka Tônosuke.
October 1917: Tônosuke goes back to Tôkyô and becomes nadai.
4 October 1927: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VI dies.
February 1928: he goes back to Ôsaka and takes the name of Arashi Kichisaburô VII at the Nakaza.
16 October 1934: his master Kataoka Nizaemon XI dies.
March 1953: he joins the first league of actors in Kamigata ("kambu shôshin").
August 1953: revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Sonezaki Shinjû" at the Shimbashi Embujô; Kichisaburô plays the role of Aburaya Kuheiji [more details].
May 1968: revival at the National Theater of "Ura Omote Sendai Hagi"; Kichisaburô plays the role of Watanabe Gekizaemon [casting].
January 1973: Kichisaburô appears on stage for the last time, at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza, playing the role of Kawatsura Hôgen in the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".
11 February 1973: Kichisaburô dies.Comments:
Arashi Kichisaburô VII was a versatile supporting tachiyaku actor. Although he was not born in Kansai, he was considered as a Kamigata actor. His most notable performances are the roles of Aburaya Kuheiji ("Sonezaki Shinjû" - he played it more than 500 times!), Shundô Gemba ("Terakoya"), Tsuribune Sabu ("Natsu Matsuri"), Shibata Jûdayû ("Banchô Sarayashiki"), Hansai ("Obiya") and Yakushiji Jirozaemon ("Kanadehon Chûshingura").
Arashi Kichisaburô VII (left) playing the role of Sagisaka Bannai in the dance-drama "Yoshinoyama"
The Arashi Kichisaburô line of actors