Real name: Nakamura Yukio
Guild: Harimaya
Line number: NIDAIME (II)
Existence: 21 July 1914 ~ 21 February 2009
Connections:
Father: Nakamura Matagorô I
Disciples: Nakamura Matazô II, Nakamura Matanosuke II, Nakamura Mataichi, Nakamura Shijaku II
Career:
19 March 1920: his father Nakamura Matagorô I dies.
January 1921: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Ichimuraza, receiving the name of Nakamura Matagorô II.
February 1955: Izumi Kyôka's drama "Tenshu Monogatari" is staged for the first time with Kabuki actors, at the Kabukiza; Matagorô plays the role of Susuki [casting].
November 1959: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which is supervised by Mishima Yukio; Matagorô plays the roles of Awazu Shichirô and Sentarô [casting].
June ~ July 1960: Matagorô takes part in the first Kabuki tour in the USA; Matagorô plays the roles of Kamei Rokurô, Momoi Wakasanosuke, Ishidô Umanojô, Tarôkaja and Jiroku in the plays "Kanjinchô", "Kanadehon Chûshingura", "Migawari Zazen" and "Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame" [casting].
December 1966: second month of the opening ceremony of the National Theater with the full length performance of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; Matagorô plays the role of Tonami [casting].
April 1981: revival at the National Theater of Nishizawa Ippô's drama "Keisei Hama no Masago"; Matagorô plays the role of Maeda Toshiie [casting].
April 1986: Kabuki tour in South America [more details].
June 1992: Matagorô takes part in a Kabuki seminar in France.
January 1997: tôshi kyôgen revival at the National Theater of the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki"; Matagorô plays the role of Jûzô's mother Matsuno [casting].
May 1997: Matagorô receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).
April 2006: Matagorô appears on stage for the last time, at the Kabukiza, in the kôjô commemorating the 5th anniversary (6th memorial service) of the death of Nakamura Utaemon VI.
21 February 2009: Matagorô dies in Tôkyô.
Comments:
Nakamura Matagorô II was a talented veteran of the Kabuki world and a leading teacher at the National Theater Actors Training Center. He devoted himself to nurturing future Kabuki actors while lecturing on the traditional performing art overseas to boost its recognition.
The mon of Nakamura Matagorô II