Stage names:
Yamashita Kinsaku IV
Arashi Sankatsu III
Arashi Sanzô
Guilds: Tennôjiya, Hamaya
Line number: YODAIME (IV)
Poetry names: Rikô, Raishi, Baishi
Existence: 1791 ~ 23 December 1858
Connections:
Master: Arashi Sangorô III
Adopted son: Yamashita Kinsaku V
Disciples: Yamashita Kinsaku VI, Yamashita Kyôemon IV
Career:
1791 ~ 1830: born in Ôsaka. He starts his career as a disciple of the actor Arashi Sangorô III, receiving the names of Arashi Sanzô and Arashi Sankatsu III at unknown dates. He performs in Ôsaka minor theaters (hama shibai).
1830 ~ 1832: his fame as a wakaonnagata actor grows; he notably plays the difficult role of Masaoka in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi", which is staged at the Takeda no Shibai.
Fall 1832: Sankatsu goes to Edo.
November 1832: Arashi Sankatsu III takes the name of Yamashita Kinsaku IV at the Kawarazakiza, playing in the drama "Tanomiaru Gohiiki no Tsuna".
Summer 1833: Kinsaku goes back to Kamigata.
June 1835: the play "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji", which was originally written for the puppet theater and staged in February 1773, is adapted to Kabuki for the first time, in Kyôto at the Kitagawa no Shibai; Kinsaku plays the role of Tamate Gozen [casting].
January 1836: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Nishizawa Ippô's drama "Hana no Ani Tsubomi no Yatsufusa" Kinsaku plays the roles of Hikute and Isarago Gozen [casting].
June ~ September 1839: tour in Nagoya with Nakayama Shinkurô IV and Ogawa Kichitarô III; the troupe performs at the Wakamiya no Shibai.
January 1848: Kinsaku's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent). He is also the kanjiku for onnagata actors.
Spring 1848: tour in Ise.
Fall 1848: tour in Nagoya.
September 1849: Kinsaku plays at the Wakadayû no Shibai (Ôsaka) the role of Osono in the "Keya-Mura" scene of the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"; the role of Rokusuke is played by Asao Yoroku I.
January 1850: Kinsaku's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is hakushi-jô-jô-kichi (almost unique - superior - superior - excellent).
May 1850: Kinsaku plays at the Naka no Shibai the roles of Sagami and Otatsu in the dramas "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" and "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami".
August 1851: Kinsaku plays at the Naka no Shibai the role of Ofude in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki".
November 1851: Kinsaku plays in the same theater the role of Koman in the drama "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki".
October 1852: Kinsaku plays at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Tsukisayo and the woman Suekiyo in Segawa Jokô III's drama "Kin'u Gyokuto Wakoku no Irifune", which is performed for the first time in Ôsaka.
January 1853: Kinsaku's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is shi-jô-jô-kichi (unique - superior - superior - excellent). He is also the kanjiku for onnagata actors.
March 1853: Kinsaku achieves a great success at the Kado no Shibai, playing the roles of Okita, Oishi and Ichimonjiya Osai in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura". His stage partners are Ichikawa Ebizô V, Ichikawa Danzô VI, Kataoka Gadô II, Onoe Tamizô II, Nakamura Daikichi III and Asao Tamejûrô IV.
November 1858: Kinsaku appears on stage for the last time, in Kyôto, at the Kitagawa no Shibai, playing the roles of Kosen and Wakaba no Naishi in the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura". He suddenly falls ill and dies one month later.
Comments:
"And there was the fourth Yamashita Kinsaku, who was trained in small theatres, was stout, had a clear voice, and played chiefly in middle-aged women's characters" (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")
Yamashita Kinsaku IV portraying Osugi in a print made by Utagawa Kunisada I
Print made by Utagawa Hirosada in 1851
The Yamashita Kinsaku line of actors