Stage names:

Nakamura Kumetarô II
Arashi Fusajirô

Guild: Daikokuya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Poetry name: Richô

Existence: 1763 ~ 9 July 1808

Connection:

Master: Arashi Sangorô II

Career:

15 July 1777: Nakamura Kumetarô I dies.

November 1784: Arashi Fusajirô takes the name of Nakamura Kumetarô II, becomes zamoto and produces at the Naka no Shibai the kaomise drama "Naka ni Môkeru Otogo Kaomise", which welcomes in Ôsaka the Edo stars Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Iwai Hanshirô IV.

January 1785: Kumetarô's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki is the very unusual hakujô-hakujô-hakukichi; he shares the same rank with late Onoe Kikugorô I's son Onoe Ushinosuke I, who works as a zamoto at the Kado no Shibai, the rival theater.

May 1785: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji's puppet theater drama "Shimpan Utazaimon", which is staged at the Naka no Shibai; Kumetarô plays the role of Hisamatsu [casting].

February 1787: Kumetarô's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô (superior - superior).

Fall 1790: Ichikawa Yaozô III, Tanimura Torazô and Kumetarô go together to Edo.

November 1790: Kumetarô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of the keisei Naniwazu in the kaomise drama "Sayo no Nakayama Hiiki no Tsurigane".

August 1794: Kumetarô plays at the Kiriza the role of Oyasu in the drama "Hime Komatsu Ne-no-Hi no Asobi"; the role of Shunkan is played by Ichikawa Komazô III.

Fall 1794: Kumetarô goes back to Ôsaka.

2 May 1803: his master Arashi Raishi I dies.

May 1806: tour in Nagoya.

9 July 1808: Kumetarô dies.

Comments:

Nakamura Kumetarô II was a Kamigata onnagata actor, who was active from the beginning of the Tenmei era to the beginning of the Bunka era. The roles of onna budô or karô's wives were his forte. He was said to be a good actor but failed to achieve the same level of fame as Nakamura Kumetarô I. His final ranking in the Kamigata hyôbanki was only one little stroke below jô-jô-hankichi.

Nakamura Kumetarô II on the stage of the Nakamuraza in November 1790 (print made by Katsukawa Shun'ei)

The Nakamura Kumetarô line of actors