Stage names:
Ichikawa Kodanji V
Ichikawa Nedanji I
Real name: Suwara Kiyosuke
Guild: Takashimaya
Line number: GODAIME (V)
Poetry name: Beishô
Existence: 18 August 1850 ~ 6 May 1922
Connections:
Father: Ichikawa Kodanji IV
Brother: Ichikawa Sai'nyû
Son: Ichikawa Beishô II
Adopted son: Ichikawa Kobunji III
Grandson: Ichikawa Nedanji II
Career:
1850: born in Edo in the district of Asakusa Saruwaka-chô.
May 1866: his father Ichikawa Kodanji IV dies.
February 1867: he makes his first stage appearance at the Ichimuraza, where he receives the name of Ichikawa Nedanji I and plays 2 roles in the drama "Matsu no Sakae Chiyoda no Shintoku".
October 1872: premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's zangirimono "Tsuki no En Masu no Igaguri"; Nedanji plays the role of Kômori no Yasuzô [casting].
June 1878: Ichikawa Nedanji I takes the name of Ichikawa Kodanji V at the Shintomiza, playing in the drama "Keisei Soga Kuruwa Kagami".
16 July 1879: Kodanji takes part in the gala night at the Shintomiza in the honor of the General Ulysses S. Grant [more details].
March 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's masterpiece "Kumo ni Magou Ueno no Hatsuhana"; Kodanji plays the roles of Kurayami no Ushimatsu and Miyazaki Kazuma [casting].
June 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's dance-drama "Tsuchi Gumo"; Kodanji plays the role of Watanabe Tsuna [casting].
August 1881: tour in Toyohashi; he meets up with his brother Ichikawa Udanji I.
September 1881 ~ Spring 1883: Kodanji performs in Kamigata with his brother.
Spring 1883 ~ November 1883: Kodanji performs in Tôkyô in both the Harukiza and the Shintomiza.
December 1883: tour in Nagoya.
March 1884 ~ June 1885: Kodanji performs in Kamigata with his brother.
July 1885: Kodanji is back in Tôkyô and performs at the Shintomiza.
May 1888: première at the Chitoseza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame"; Kodanji plays the roles of Jiroku and Shigeyama Einojô [casting].
November 1893: Kodanji takes part in the opening ceremony of the Meijiza [more details].
October 1898: premiere at the Meijiza of the dance-drama "Sannin Katawa"; Kodanji plays the role of the blind man [casting].
Comments:
Ichikawa Kodanji V was a Meiji/Taishô actor, able to play both tachiyaku and onnagata roles. His forte were jitsugotoshi roles. Less brilliant than his amazing father Ichikawa Kodanji IV, he focused on classic dramas and was not involved in any of the reformist experiments which shook the Kabuki world.
Ichikawa Kodanji V playing of the Chinese merchant Beishôju in the drama "Ori Hime Shusu Enishi no Iroito", which was staged in May 1894 at the Meijiza
Print made by Yôshû Chikanobu in 1883
The Ichikawa Kodanji line of actors