Stage names:
Onoe Baika
Onoe Kikujirô II
Nakamura Sankô II
Nakamura Karyû
Kataoka Ichimatsu
Guild: Otowaya
Line number: NIDAIME (II)
Poetry name: Baika
Existence: 1814 ~ 14 June 1875
Connections:
Masters: Onoe Kikugorô III, Nakamura Tomijûrô II, Kataoka Nizaemon VII
Adopted son: Onoe Taganojô II
Career:
1814 ~ 1833: born in Kamigata, he starts his career as a young disciple of Kataoka Nizaemon VII, who gives him the name of Kataoka Ichimatsu. Then, he joins the onnagata actor Nakamura Tomijûrô II and receives the name of Nakamura Karyû.
1833: Nakamura Karyû takes the name of Nakamura Sankô II.
November 1835: he becomes disciple of the star Onoe Kikugorô III and receives the name of Onoe Kikujirô II at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Yae in the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
April 1836: premiere at the Moritaza of the drama "Hakkenden Uwasa no Takadono"; Kikujirô plays the roles of Princess Fuse, the ghost of Princess Fuse, Hamaji, Ohina, Fusahachi's wife Onui, Kakutarô's wife Hinaginu and Princess Taema [casting].
January 1843: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the dance "Kashiragaki Ise Monogatari" (commonly called "Noriaibune"), which is staged within the new year drama "Kioi Uta Soga no Hanadashi"; Kikujirô is one of the seven dancers [more details].
August 1849: Kikujirô plays at the Kawarazakiza the role of Akoya in the drama "Kagekiyo"; his stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII (Kagekiyo) and Bandô Hikosaburô IV (Shigetada).
November 1849: Kikujirô plays at the Kawarazakiza the role of the courtesan Ohatsu in the drama "Sonezaki Shinjû". The role of Hiranoya Tokubei is played by Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII.
April 1851: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Tokiwazu-based dance "Kioi Jishi Kabuki no Hanakago", commonly called "Kioi Jishi", starring Ichikawa Kodanji IV, Bandô Takesaburô I, Iwai Kumesaburô III and Kikujirô.
August 1851: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Higashiyama Sakura Sôshi" (commonly called "Sakura Giminden"); Kikujirô plays the roles of Fuji-no-Kata and Tôgo's wife Omine [casting].
January 1852: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Sakurada Jisuke III drama "Satomi Hakkenden"; Kikujirô plays the roles of Fusahachi's wife Onui and Hamaji [casting].
January 1857: Kikujirô goes back to Kamigata after 25 years spent in Edo. He settles in Ôsaka and takes the name of Onoe Baika at the Kado no Shibai.
1858: he takes back the name of Onoe Kikujirô II.
1861: Kikujirô goes back to Edo.
August 1861: premiere at the Moritaza of of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Sakura Sôshi Gonichi no Bundan", a revised version of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Higashiyama Sakura Sôshi"; Kikujirô plays the roles of Oshizu-no-Kata and Tôgo's wife Omine [casting].
October 1861: premiere at the Moritaza of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Zôho Futatsu Domoe"; Kikujirô plays the roles of Gion no Oritsu, the keisei Fuyô, Goemon's wife Otaki and Kawashima no Omitsu [casting].
February 1864: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Soga Moyô Tateshi no Goshozome"; Kikujirô plays the role of Satsuki [casting].
November 1864: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Koharunagi Okitsu Shiranami"; Kikujirô plays the role of Funadama Osai [casting].
Comments:
Onoe Kikujirô II was a talented wakaonnagata, excelling in the roles of housewives in sewamono dramas. He co-starred stage giants like Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII, Ichikawa Kodanji IV or Ichikawa Danjûrô IX.
Onoe Kikujirô II's best roles: Omine ("Sakura Giminden"), Koiso ("Ude no Kizaburô"), Yae ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami").
Onoe Kikujirô II playing the role of Princess Takiyasha (print made by Utagawa Toyokuni III in 1862)
Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1862
The Onoe Kikujirô line of actors