Stage names:
Asao Kuzaemon II
Shibazaki Rinzaemon III
Ôtani Tomoji
Ichikawa Rikimatsu
Other name: Ichikawa Kigan II
Guild: Kanedaya
Line number: NIDAIME (II)
Poetry name: Kigan (2)
Existence: 1786 ~ 11 September 1845
Connection:
Master: Ôtani Tomoemon IICareer:
1786 ~ 1831: he starts his career in minor theaters in Kamigata, playing under the name of Ichikawa Rikimatsu. He becomes disciple of the actor Ôtani Tomoemon II at an unknown date and receives the name of Ôtani Tomoji.
January 1832: Ôtani Tomoji takes the long-forgotten name of Shibazaki Rinzaemon III.
March 1832: Rinzaemon plays at the Takeda no Shibai (Ôsaka) the roles of Yakushiji Jirozaemon, Yoichibei, Ono no Sadakurô, Horibe Yajibei, Kondô Genshirô and the servant Rin in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is produced by Asao Momonosuke.
August 1832: Shibazaki Rinzaemon III takes the name of Asao Kuzaemon II.
April ~ June 1835: tour in Ise with Nakamura Utaemon III, Arashi Kichisaburô III and Nakayama Yoshio II.
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; Kuzaemon plays the role of Gappô [casting].
August ~ November 1836: tour in Nagoya with Bandô Hikosaburô IV, Mimasu Gennosuke I and Nakayama Nanshi II; Kuzaemon plays the role of Motoemon in the drama "Katakiuchi Tengajaya-Mura", which is staged in the precinct of the Seijuin Temple in September.
January 1838: Kuzaemon plays at the Naka no Shibai the roles of Teraoka Heiemon, Yoichibei, Ono no Kudayû and Horibe Yajibei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
March 1839: the play "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji" is staged for the first time in Ôsaka, at the Kado no Shibai; Kuzaemon plays the role of Gappô [casting].
November 1839: Kuzaemon plays at the Ônishi no Shibai the roles of Adachi Tomokurô, Hanazono Mondo, Hanbei's mother and Iwajibei in the drama "Katakiuchi An'eiroku".
March 1840: Kuzaemon plays at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Amakawaya Gihei and Ono no Kudayû in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
May 1840: Kuzaemon plays at the Kita-Shinchi no Shibai the roles of Gonshirô and Gappô in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki" and "Sesshû Gappô-ga-Tsuji".
August ~ September 1840: Kuzaemon plays at the Naka no Shibai 4 roles, including Yokoyama Daizen, in the drama "Hime Kurabe Futaba Ezôji".
November 1840: Kuzaemon plays at the Kitagawa no Shibai in the dramas "Keisei Haru no Tori", "Gishinden Yomikiri Kôshaku", "Ishikiri Kajiwara" (Kuzaemon plays the old man Rokurôdayû) and "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima".
January 1841: Kuzaemon plays at the Naka no Shibai the roles of Shôya Fujiemon, the tedai Sôbei, Danjô and the gatekeeper Kiheiji in the drama "Keisei Yanagi Zakura".
November 1841: Kuzaemon plays at the Minamigawa no Shibai the role of Gonshirô in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki".
January 1842: Kuzaemon's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, jitsuaku/katakiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
September 1843 ~ Spring 1845: Kuzaemon settles in Edo and plays at the Ichimuraza.
Summer 1845: Kuzaemon goes back to Ôsaka, falls ill and dies in September (according to some chronicles, he died the 18th of June instead of the 11th of September).
Comments:
Asao Kuzaemon II was a good actor specialized in katakiyaku, oyajigata and fukeoyama roles but he did not find the same fame as Asao Kuzaemon I. He spent most of his career in Kamigata theaters and his last years in Edo.
Asao Kuzaemon II portraying the farmer Heisaku in a print made by Utagawa Toyokuni III (1862~1863)