Stage names:

Matsumoto Kingo II
Ichikawa Kingo

Guild: Kôraiya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Existence: 8 May 1895 ~ 26 January 1956

Connection:

Masters: Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Matsumoto Kôshirô VII

Son: Matsumoto Kingo III

Career:

8 May 1895: born in Tôkyô in the district of Nihombashi.

March 1904: first stage appearance, at the Meijiza where he receives the name of Ichikawa Kingo.

Fall 1911: he becomes disciple of the actor Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

November 1911: Ichikawa Kingo takes the name of Matsumoto Kingo II at the Imperial Theater, performing in the drama "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô".

1916: Kingo becomes nadai.

1928: Kingo joins the Shunjûza, a troupe led by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

1929: long tour in the Kansai, with a troupe led by him and Ichikawa Kodayû II.

27 January 1949: his master Matsumoto Kôshirô VII dies.

1955: he becomes a disciple of the actor Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII.

26 January 1956: Kingo dies in Tôkyô.

Comments:

Matsumoto Kingo II was a supporting onnagata actor of the Kôraiya guild. He was quite active in Kansai from the 1930s to the 1950s, performing among others in Nakamura Ganjirô II's troupe. He had the opportunity to perform in Ôsaka important supporting roles like Okinoi in "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" or Oen in "Fûin Giri".

Matsumoto Kingo II playing the role of Okaru in the 7th act of "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged in November 1927 at the Miyatoza