Real name: Nakamura Yukio

Guild: Harimaya

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Birthday: 21 July 1914

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].

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).

Comments:

Nakamura Matagorô II is a talented veteran of the Kabuki world and a leading teacher at the National Theater Actors Training Center.