Stage names:
Segawa Kikunojô V
Segawa Tamon I
Nickname: Tamon Rokô
Guild: Hamamuraya
Line number: GODAIME (V)
Poetry name: Rokô
Crest: Yui Wata
Existence: 1802 ~ 7 January 1832
Connections:
Father: Segawa Michisaburô I (Nakamura Rikô II)
Master: Segawa Senjo
Father-in-law: Segawa Rokô IV
Son: Segawa Tamon II (Nakamura Daikichi III)
Career:
November 1806: he becomes disciple of the star Segawa Senjo and takes the name of Segawa Tamon I at the Nakamuraza.
December 1810: his master Segawa Senjo dies.
November 1812: his future father-in-law Segawa Rokô IV dies.
November 1815: Segawa Tamon I becomes tateonnagata and takes the name of Segawa Kikunojô V at the Kawarazakiza, playing in the drama "Yamato Meisho Sembon Zakura".
March 1817: premiere at the Kawarazakiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô"; Kikunojô plays the roles of Gunjibei's daughter Kohina and Katsushika no Ojû [casting].
February 1818: the play "Kamakura Sandaiki" is staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza; Kikunojô plays the role of Princess Toki; his stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (Miuranosuke) and Nakamura Shikan I (Takatsuna).
June 1818: Kikunojô plays at the Moritaza the roles of Koganosuke, Sadaka and Omiwa in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin"; his stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (Motome, Fukashichi, Hinadori, Daihanji) and Matsumoto Kôshirô V (Soga no Iruka).
January 1823: Kikunojô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
March 1823: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Ukiyogara Hiyoku no Inazuma"; Kikunojô plays the roles of the courtesan Katsuragi, Oden and Okuni [casting].
November 1823: Kikunojô achieves a great success at the Nakamuraza, performing in the drama "Kaeri Giso Kiku no Hitomure".
August 1826: Kikunojô plays at the Kawarazakiza the roles of Momoi Wakasanosuke, Hayano Kampei and Okaru in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The roles of Kampei and Okaru are performed with fast costum changes (hayagawari), an unusual performance in "Kanadehon Chûshingura" sixth act, where Kampei and Okaru usually appear simultaneously on stage.
September 1827: Kikunojô plays at the Nakamuraza the difficult role of Kuzu-no-Ha in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".
January 1828: Kikunojô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, sôkanjiku section ("all kanjiku"), is hakudai-jô-jô-kichi (almost grand - superior - superior - excellent).
September 1828: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Nochi no Tsuki Shuen no Shimadai" (commonly called "Kakuemon"). The main roles are played by Nakamura Shikan II and Kikunojô.
November 1828: his yearly salary at the Nakamuraza reaches 700 ryô.
January 1829: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Kin no Zai Saru Shima Dairi". The main roles are played by Nakamura Shikan II (Bandô Tarô) and Kikunojô (Takiyasha).
September 1829: premiere at the Kawarazakiza of the dance "Hana ni Chô Magaki no Ukareme", commonly called "Mitsumen Komori"; the leading role is played by Kikunojô.
January 1828: Kikunojô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is dai-jô-jô-kichi (grand - superior - superior - excellent).
August 1830: Kikunojô plays at the Nakamuraza the roles of Hinadori and Omiwa in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin"; his stage partners are Nakamura Shikan II (Daihanji, Motome, Fukashichi) and Nakamura Karoku I (Sadaka, Princess Tachibana).
November 1831: Kikunojô appears on stage for the last time, at the Kawarazakiza, playing in the drama "Matsu o Chikara Tomoe no Fujinami". He unfortunately falls ill during the performance and has to be replaced by his disciple Segawa Michinosuke II. He dies in January 1832.
Comments:
Segawa Kikunojô V was a talented onnagata of the Bunka and Bunsei eras, who was endowed with both beauty and intelligence. He unfortunately died too young.
"The fifth Segawa Kikunojô was acknowledged to be the leading onnagata in Edo. He was a large, man, but possessed rather rough manners, being short and abrupt with his fellow-actors, and much disliked by his neighbours. Yet upon the stage there was no one to compare with him. He died at 31, at the height of his career." (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")
Segawa Kikunojô V in a print made by Utagawa Kunisada (1820~1830)
Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1820
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1821
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1825
Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1831
Print made by Utagawa Kuniyoshi in 1832
The Segawa Kikunojô line of actors