Stage names:
Ichikawa Komazô X
Bandô Keizô I
Real name: Hike Keizô
Line number: JÛDAIME (X)
Existence: 27 November 1925 ~ 19 March 1981
Connections:
Grandfather: Bandô Shûchô II
Father: Bandô Shûchô III
Master: Matsumoto Hakuô
Brothers: Bandô Matatarô VII, Bandô Mitsugorô IX
Son: Bandô Shûchô V
Career:
27 November 1925: born in Tôkyô.
1927: first stage appearance on tour in the island of Kyûshû; he plays the role of Kantarô in the drama "Shigure no Kotatsu".
22 September 1935: his father Bandô Shûchô III dies.
July 1954: Keizô plays in alternance with Sawamura Tosshô V the roles of Omiwa or Princess Tachibana in the dance-drama "Negai no Ito Enishi no Odamaki", which is staged at the Kabukiza; the role of Motome is played by Nakamura Shibajaku VI. He receives the prize of the President Ótani (the boss of the Shôchiku Company) as a reward for his performance in this dance.
Fall 1954: he becomes disciple of Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII.
September 1954: Bandô Keizô I takes the name of Ichikawa Komazô X at the Kabukiza, playing the role of the shishi cud in the dance "Renjishi"; the role of the shishi parent is played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII.
March 1961: the actors Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Chûsha VIII and Nakamura Shikaku II sign exclusive contracts with the Tôhô and leave the Shôchiku; Komazô follows his master.
December 1966: second month of the opening ceremony of the National Theater with the full length performance of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" in which Komazô plays the role of Haru [casting].
19 March 1981: Komazô dies in Tôkyô.
Comments:
Ichikawa Komazô X was a 20th century promising actor, who was able to perform as a tachiyaku or an onnagata. His most notable performance was not on Kabuki stages but in Television, as he was the first actor to play the leading role of the mythical Television series "Kurama Tengu".
The mon of Ichikawa Komazô X
The Ichikawa Komazô line of actors