MATSUMOTO KÔSHIRÔ VII

April 1881: he makes his first stage appearance, receiving the name of Ichikawa Kintarô and playing the role of Koshirô in the drama "Moritsuna Jin'ya", which is staged at the Harukiza (Tôkyô).

January 1885: two dances are staged at the Chitoseza, about to reopen in February 1885 with a new name. From the 4th to the 7th of January, two auspicious dances and a kôjô with the troupe led by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX are staged. The sanbasô is staged with Ichikawa Sadanji I (Okina), Bandô Kakitsu I (Senzai) and Onoe Kikugorô V (Sanbasô). This is also the premiere of the Nagauta-based dance-drama "Tsuru Kame"; Kintarô plays the role of the Emperor [more details].

April 1890: Ichikawa Kintarô takes the name of Ichikawa Somegorô IV at the Shintomiza.

November 1893: Somegorô takes part in the opening ceremony of the Meijiza [info].

April 1897: premiere at the Kabukiza of Fukuchi Ochi's drama "Otokodate Harusame Gasa"; Somegorô played the roles of Amano Yukie and Jihê's half-brother Ôguchiya Seizaburô [more details].

September 1902: Somegorô plays at the Tôkyôza the roles of Tansuke, Arajishi Otokonosuke, Lady Yashio, Kurahashi Yajûrô and Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Ura Omote Kokoro no Datezome", whose plot and characters belong to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world. The roles of Masaoka and Nikki Danjô are played by Ichimura Kakitsu VI.

March 1903: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Kichirei Soga no Ishizue", which is produced to celebrate the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VI, Onoe Baikô VI and Onoe Eizaburô VI; Somegorô plays the role of Ômi no Kotôta [casting].

May 1903: Ichikawa Somegorô IV takes the name of Ichikawa Komazô VIII at the Kabukiza, performing in the drama "Kasuga Tsubone".

June 1903: Komazô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the evil Lady Yashio in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The role of Masaoka is played by Nakamura Shikan V.

October 1903: his master Ichikawa Danjûrô IX dies.

February/March 1904: successful premiere at the Tôkyôza of Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Kiri Hitoha"; Komazô plays the roles of Kimura Shigenari and Sassa Narimasa [more details].

October 1904: premiere at the Tôkyôza of the Kabuki adaptation of the kyôgen "Buaku"; Komazô plays the role of Tarôkaja [casting].

June 1905: Komazô plays for the first time the prestigious role of the smuggler Kezori in the drama "Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi", which is staged at the Tôkyôza. His stage partners are Sawamura Tosshô III (Sôshichi) and Bandô Shûchô III (the courtesan Kojorô).

March 1906: Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Hototogisu Kojô no Rakugetsu" is produced for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Tôkyôza; Komazô plays the role of Toyotomi Hideyori [casting].

November 1908: revival at the Kabukiza of the Kabuki Jûhachiban drama "Kagekiyo"; Komazô plays the role of Akushichibyôe Kagekiyo [casting].

November 1910: Komazô plays for the first time the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the bombastic play "Ya-no-Ne", which is staged at the Meijiza.

March 1911: opening of the Imperial Theater. The three leading actors of the new Kabuki troupe based in this theater are Onoe Baikô VI (onnagata), Ichikawa Komazô VIII (tachiyaku) and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (wagotoshi).

November 1911: great shûmei at the Imperial Theater; Ichikawa Komazô VIII takes the prestigious name of Matsumoto Kôshirô VII, which has not been held since 11th lunar month of 1846.

September 1914: premiere at the Imperial Theater of the dance "Onatsu Kyôran". The roles of Onatsu and the pack-horse driver are played by Onoe Baikô VI and Kôshirô.

June 1915: Kôshirô plays at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) the roles of Lady Yashio and Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The roles of Masaoka and Hosokawa Katsumoto are played by Nakamura Ganjirô I.

April 1916: Kôshirô plays at the Imperial Theater the roles of Kinugawa Tanizô, Lady Yashio and Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The roles of Masaoka and Hosokawa Katsumoto are played by Onoe Baikô VI and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

1917: he becomes head of the Fujima dance school and takes, as a dance master, the name of Fujima Kan'emon III.

April 1919: Kôshirô plays at the Imperial Theater the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Jinmon" and "Kumiuchi" scenes of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki". The role of Kojirô/Atsumori is played by Sawamura Sônosuke I.

November 1924: Kôshirô plays at the Imperial Theater the role of Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The roles of Masaoka and Yashio are played by Nakamura Utaemon V and Onoe Baikô VI.

December 1925: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza (Kyôto) the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumiuchi" scene of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki". The role of Kojirô/Atsumori is played by Nakamura Ganjirô I.

April 1927: Kôshirô plays at the Imperial Theater the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Morita Kan'ya XIII and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

June 1927: Kôshirô plays at the Imperial Theater the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

September 1927: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Jinmon" and "Kumiuchi" scenes of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki". The role of Kojirô/Atsumori is played by Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1927: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Ganjirô I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

March 1928: Kôshirô plays at the Nakaza the role of Iwafuji in the drama "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie"; the roles of Onoe and Ohatsu are performed by Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII. Kôshirô also plays the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Ganjirô I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

December 1928: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza (Kyôto) the role of Arajishi Otokonosuke in the "Yuka Shita" scene of the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The role of Nikki Danjô is played by Ichikawa Chûsha VII.

June 1929: Kôshirô plays at the Imperial Theater the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichikawa Sadanji II and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

January 1930: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

May 1930: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza in Tôkyô the role of Sukune Tarô in the "Dômyôji" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". The roles of Kan Shôjô, Kakuju and Tatsuta no Mae are played by Nakamura Ganjirô I, Ichikawa Chûsha VII and Bandô Shûchô III.

June 1930: Kôshirô plays at the Nakaza (Ôsaka) the role of Arajishi Otokonosuke in the "Yuka Shita" scene of the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The role of Nikki Danjô is played by Ichikawa Chûsha VII.

September 1930: Kôshirô plays at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Ganjirô I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

March 1931: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichikawa Sadanji II and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

October 1931: Kôshirô plays at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Onoe Kikugorô VI and Nakamura Fukusuke V.

December 1931: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Kichiemon I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV.

June 1932: Kôshirô plays at the Nakaza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Kichiemon I and Nakamura Ganjirô I.

November 1932: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Gedatsu", a play belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban; Kôshirô plays the role of Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada [more details]. Kôshirô also plays in the same theater the role of Ikyû in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Sukeroku, Agemaki and Shinbê are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV, Onoe Baikô VI and Onoe Kikugorô VI. Kôshirô also plays the role of Musashibô Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

January 1933: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

March 1933: Kôshirô plays at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

January 1934: Kôshirô plays the role of Umeômaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which is staged at the Kabukiza. His stage partners are Onoe Kikugorô VI (Sakuramaru) and Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Matsuômaru).

May 1934: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the bombastic play "Ya-no-Ne".

November 1934: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1934: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Kataoka Gadô IV.

January 1935: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Oshô Kichisa in the drama "Sannin Kichisa"; his stage partners are Onoe Kikugorô VI (Ojô Kichisa) and Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Obô Kichisa).

February 1935: Kôshirô plays at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Nikki Danjô in the "Yuka Shita" scene of the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The role of Arajishi Otokonosuke is played by Nakamura Kichiemon I.

March 1935: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Nikki Danjô in the "Yuka Shita" scene of the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The role of Arajishi Otokonosuke is played by Onoe Shôroku II.

February 1936: Kôshirô plays at the Meijiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Kichiemon I and Nakamura Baigyoku III.

April 1936: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Jinmon" and "Kumiuchi" scenes of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"; the roles of Kojirô/Atsumori, Princess Tamaori and Hirayama are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV, Sawamura Sôjûrô VII and Ôtani Tomoemon VI.

November 1936: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

January 1937: Kôshirô plays the role of Umeômaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which is staged at the Kabukiza. His stage partners are Onoe Kikugorô VI (Matsuômaru), Ichimura Uzaemon XV (Sakuramaru) and Nakamura Utaemon V (Shihei).

February 1937: Kôshirô plays at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

April 1937: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1937: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

January 1938: Kôshirô plays for the last time the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune, at the Kabukiza, in the bombastic play "Ya-no-Ne".

March 1938: Kôshirô plays at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Jinmon" and "Kumiuchi" scenes of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"; the roles of Kojirô/Atsumori and Princess Tamaori are played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII and Nakamura Tokizô III. Kôshirô also plays the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

November 1938: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Nanbuzaka no Yuki Wakare", the sixth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura"; Kôshirô plays the role of Ochiai Yoemon [casting]. He also plays at the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichikawa Sadanji II and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

December 1938: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichikawa Sadanji II and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

January 1940: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The roles of Arajishi Otokonosuke and Hosokawa Katsumoto are played by Bandô Mitsugorô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV.

March 1941: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The roles of Arajishi Otokonosuke and Hosokawa Katsumoto are played by Bandô Mitsugorô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XV. Kôshirô also plays the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

December 1941: Kôshirô plays at the Minamiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

March 1942: Kôshirô plays at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Kichiemon I and Nakamura Shikan VI.

April 1942: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the "Jinmon" and "Kumiuchi" scenes of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki"; the roles of Kojirô/Atsumori and Princess Tamaori are played by Onoe Kikugorô VI and Nakamura Tokizô III.

October 1942: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of Yuranosuke in the "Gion Ichiriki Jaya" scene of the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the roles of Teraoka Heiemon and Okaru are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

November 1942: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the roles of Kô no Moronô and Yuranosuke in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

November 1943: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1943: Kôshirô plays at the Kabukiza the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

November 1945: Kôshirô performs for the last time in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura", which is staged at the Tôkyô Gekijô. He plays the role of the fox Tadanobu in the michiyuki "Yoshinoyama"; His stage partners are Nakamura Shikan VI (Shizuka Gozen) and Ichikawa Somegorô V (Hayami no Tôta).

June 1946: Kôshirô plays at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of the warrior-monk Benkei in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Togashi and Yoshitsune are played by Nakamura Kichiemon I and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

February 1947: Kôshirô plays for the last time the role of the smuggler Kezori in the drama "Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi", which is staged at the Tôkyô Gekijô. His stage partners are Onoe Kikugorô VI (Sôshichi) and Onoe Baikô VII (the courtesan Kojorô). Kôshirô also plays the roles of Arajishi Otokonosuke and Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki". The role of Nikki Danjô are played by Onoe Kikugorô VI.

October 1947: Kôshirô plays at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Nikki Danjô in the classic "Meiboku Sendai Hagi". The roles of Arajishi Otokonosuke and Hosokawa Katsumoto are played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II and Nakamura Kichiemon I.

November 1947: Kôshirô plays at the Tôkyô Gekijô the roles of Yuranosuke and Fuwa Kazuemon in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

January 1948: Kôshirô plays for the last time the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane, at the Tôkyô Gekijô, in the "Kumagai Jin'ya" scene of the classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

February 1948: Kôshirô plays at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Yuranosuke in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

December 1948: Kôshirô appears on stage for the last time, at the Shinbashi Enbujô, playing the role of Ôoka Echizen no Kami in the drama "Ten'ichibô Ôoka Seidan".

Comments:

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII was one of the leading tachiyaku from the end of the Meiji era to the end of the forties. Best disciple of Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, he transmitted his master's knowledge, traditions and acting methods to his three sons who became the best tachiyaku of the second half of the twentieth century.

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII's best roles: Benkei ("Kanjinchô"), Sekibê/Ôtomo no Kuronushi ("Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Seki no To"), Ômori Hikoshichi ("Ômori Hikoshichi"), Soga Gorô Tokimune ("Ya-no-Ne"), Watanabe Tsuna ("Ibaraki"), Watônai ("Kokusen'ya Gassen"), Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa ("Shibaraku"), Nikki Danjô ("Meiboku Sendai Hagi"), Takatoki ("Takatoki").

"Without doubt Kôshirô is the best-equipped yakusha in Japan. He is both a good actor and an accomplished dancer. Born in a provincial town, his father was a builder and contractor, and he might have missed his calling had not Fujima Kan'emon, the furitsuke, or dancing master of the Tôkyô stage, taken such an interest in the child that he adopted him as his heir and successor. Danjûrô, the ninth, saw that the boy was better fitted to become an actor than to be an exponent of dancing, and early took him under his protection. Of all Danjûrô's followers, Kôshirô is the best qualified to carry on the Ichikawa traditions. Unfortunately, Kôshirô was indiscreet in his youthful escapades, and so angered his master that he was expelled by Danjûrô from the theatre, and for a time it seemed that he might never return. When the Imperial was opened, Kôshirô became attached to this theatre, and was quickly reinstated in the favour of the public. Danjûrô's widow, however, never forgot the injunction of her husband that Kôshirô was not to succeed him, and while this actor is in every respect an Ichikawa, the great name of the tenth is still going begging. In the Ichikawa aragoto rôles Kôshirô is the best in Japan. Thoroughly trained in the Fujima school of dancing, he is a creative dancer, always producing new modes of expression. As a realistic actor he has few equals, and shows much cleverness in new plays. It is in making up, however, that he greatly excels, and can transform his countenance by means of strange, imaginative designs, or become a rogue, policeman, statesman, doctor, or lawyer in modern plays with surprising success." (Zoë Kincaid in "Kabuki, the Popular Stage of Japan")

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII playing the role of Sekibê/Ôtomo no Kuronushi in the dance-drama "Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Seki no To" in a print made by Yamamura Toyonari in 1919

Print made by Kôchôrô Hôsai in 1903

Print made by Ôta Masamitsu in 1950

The Ichikawa Somegorô line of actors

The Ichikawa Komazô line of actors

The Matsumoto Kôshirô line of actors